My senior project is named OPEN ARMS and it focuses on creating a basic guideline, which helps new immigrants prepare necessary experiences before and after they go to the US, based on my own experiences and resources.
Artist/Thesis Statement
As an immigrant, going to a new country and starting a new life, it was the most difficult experience for me. I didn’t know what skills I needed to start my new journey when I came to the United States. I did not know how to take the bus, how to get health insurance, how to get a part time job, what school should I go to study, or how to get a social security number or a driver’s license etc. Therefore, I felt overwhelmed and stressed because I had to learn a great deal on my own about the culture here.
I think that many immigrants have the same issues as me. I am luckier than the others because I’m still young, I know English, and I am able to study in the university. It took me a short time to adapt a new life, culture, and environment. However, what will happen for immigrants with limited English, who do not know how to read or find where to get useful information? This is impossible for them to begin a new life easily.
That is why I created an organization that will help our immigrants to overcome culture shock, limited language, and receive helps from community. My senior project is named OPEN ARMS and it focuses on creating a basic guideline, which helps new immigrants prepare necessary experiences before and after they go to the US, based on my self experiences and resources. It contains 6 steps : Begin your new journey in the United States, get settled in the United States, rights and responsibilities of a green card holder, find help in your community, your eligibility to be US citizens, and list of all organizations in your community. OPEN ARMS guides immigrants to follow all the steps, which gets along with their new life journey. So, they can apply for social security number, health insurance for low income, learn English , connect non profit organizations, find Free English Class or Citizenship class, jobs for limited spoken English Employee, activities or events from the society, and how to prepare for the trip to the US.
OPEN ARMS is a useful guideline for all immigrants because they will learn and prepare necessary experiences to begin a new life easier. It is also a good connection between non-profit organizations and immigrants, when they can get in touch and receive legal helps from these organizations. Furthermore, OPEN ARMS helps the government to manage and create more jobs, opportunities for immigrants. I hope my guideline will help them to get a better life and achieve their American dreams.
