Michael Granado

EDU 280
Prof. Christensen

Artifact #2

People referred to as bicultural have competencies and can function effectively in two

cultures. These people have mastered the knowledge of and are able to function effectively in

two cultures. (Manning and Baruth, 2009, pg.25) When I first read what this assignment was

about, I had no idea how I was going to accomplish it. I didnt know any immigrants at all, even

my time in the military I never knew anyone who wasnt from the United States originally. I sat

at home stressing about how I was going to get this done and decided to clear my mind and get a

haircut. Little did I know I was about to meet my first immigrant I have ever met. I went to Sport

Clips to get my haircut and had the pleasure of meeting a Ms. Aurora Medina.

Ms. Medina is a wonderful 25-year-old Hispanic woman who came from Mexico to the

United States at the age of 9. Her first language she learned was the national language of Mexico

which is Spanish. Prior to coming here, she did not have any knowledge of the English language.

She was raised by her single mother who worked full time in order to provide for her and her two

sisters. Grandparents, parents, and children may live in the same households and visit one

another frequently. (Manning and Baruth, 2009, pg. 170) This was a very prevalent fact when

she described that while her mother worked, her grandmother looked after her and her siblings.

She described to me that her childhood was very much normal. She described to me that her

reasons for immigrating to the US was that being at a young age she had to follow her mother

here. Her mother wanted to be able to better provide for her daughters and give them better
opportunities that they wouldnt receive living in Mexico. She travelled with her mom and her

two sisters taking a bus arriving to Las Vegas, because the car they drove to start broke down in

Arizona. They all arrived here illegally to start living with her aunt. She, her mother and her

sisters became residents when her mother married.

I asked Ms. Medina about her challenges when immigrating here. She said that for the

most part of her upbringing she didnt have any major challenges until now. When an immigrant

becomes a resident, they have ten years to become a citizen. She is currently on her last year of

residency and is working on her citizenship. This is her biggest challenge because of numerous

reasons. For one the cost of going through the citizenship process starts at about $1000. Over 1

million Hispanic American families live in poverty-just over two of every ten Hispanic families,

compared with less than one of every ten non-Hispanic families. (Manning and Baruth, 2009, pg.

168) Though Ms. Medina is in no way poor or living in poverty this has become quite a burden

for her. She has to find a way to come up with the money because she has her day to day cost of

living and she also has her son to take care of. She relayed to me that the whole process of

becoming a citizen is very confusing. The amount of paperwork and forms involved are difficult

to understand and fill out and also cost money to submit. Additionally, if mistakes are made on

these forms, you have to repay and resubmit all over again and wait to see if they were filed

properly. All this coupled with that she also has to take a citizenship test to finalize the process,

which in turn also costs money to take and is a no mistake process as well.

Aurora had some very realistic and obtainable expectations when immigrating here to our

great nation. Instead of making an attempt to learn English, may do not perceive a need to

develop proficiency in English, many do not perceive a need to develop proficiency in English

and continue to risk survival in a predominately English-speaking country. (Manning and Baruth,
2009, pg. 172) Though this statement is made in the text, I found very interesting that the very

first expectation for Ms. Medina was to learn English. She made it a very strong point that she

felt the need and want to speak the dominant language here to become successful. Along with

her mothers reasoning for bringing her here to America she also expects to have a better and

easier life here in the states. She also stated that by living here she has better opportunities to

provide for her and her son. When I asked her this question I found it very interesting that she

noted that the first time she ever saw a bathtub was when she first came here. One small thing

that we as born Americans take for granted she appreciated and marveled at.

Aurora is extremely appreciative of living in the United States. She had many answers for

me when I asked her about what she liked most about being here. The fact that she no longer is

living in poverty and being poor. The fact that she has a car and can safely get places on worked

on roads. She and her family are living comfortably, with a house working water, and electricity.

Again, something that most Americans when asked this same question would most likely not

give these answers because we take many of these basic day to day things for granted. But the

most stressed answer she gave where I could hear the raw emotion of her voice was when she

said that her son would not be and is not in the same situation as she was in her age.

Though grateful for her current place in her life it goes without some difficulties.

Hispanic American children learn early the importance of (1) a deep sense of family

responsibility, (2) rigid definitions of sex roles, (3) respectful and reverent treatment of the

elderly, and (4) the males position of respect and authority in the family. (Manning and Baruth,

2009, pg. 170) This is almost every difficulty she has had while being here thus far. The family

separation, not being able to see them as most of her family resides in Mexico. Her father which

is the male representation for her family lives in Mexico. And when her Grandmother passed
away she was unable to attend her funeral services. This hit her the hardest seeing that her

Grandmother was a very influential person in her raising and upbringing prior to immigrating.

For those of us who were born here, most likely do not have that struggle of being away from

family or having boarders separate us from those we love and hold dear.

I find that the world works in very wonderful and mysterious ways. I was fortunate

enough to be in the exact right place and time in order to meet Aurora. I found her story she told

me extremely uplifting. She is embodying what many people in the world call the American

Dream. She also shown some light on many things that we dont really appreciate on a daily

basis, that she loves every day. This goes without its struggles and tribulations, but Aurora is

making it work for her. She is striving to become a citizen, provide for her and her son. And be

the person she can be every day. It was a privilege getting to talk to her and learning about what

is it to be an American Immigrant.