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The American Immigrant Survival Guide We Never Knew We Needed

Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2024

This is a must-read!

Many African immigrants come to the United States with an image of this country that proves itself untrue, which is often discouraging. The realities of life here is a narrative seldom told and that is one of the reasons why this book is so so important. If there is anything that I could offer newcomers to this country coming from Africa, it would be this book! This book is like taking an America 101 class! Refreshing, well-written, and honest. Bravo.

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BOOK EXCERPT

Reflections

Before writing this book, I asked many friends and acquaintances who were on a similar journey of coming to America to share their struggles and questions. Here are a number of their concerns.

Which do you share?

How do I learn the common mores of this place so I don’t feel like a misfit?

How will I make new friends?
What happens if I seem too different at my new school/job?
What impact will moving here have on my academic development/career development?
How can I make myself feel at home in this new place while keeping parts of my childhood cultures alive?
How can I leverage my differences as strengths?
Will people accept me in this new culture? How will I know they do?
How much should I try to blend in versus be myself and how can I feel like I fully belong anywhere?
How will moving countries affect my future career?
Should I work here or go back to my former country?

Will I ever feel that I have a dominant culture or always feel in-between?

Is constantly having to rebuild my life damaging me?
Why do I feel like such an outsider?
How can I reconcile all these different cultural values inside me?
Why is it so hard for me to commit to relationships?
Who can I fall in love with? Should it be someone from a similar past? What are the pros and cons?
Will future partners or spouses understand me and my past?
How do I explain my unusual childhood to people who've never left their hometown?
Will I ever feel like I have a real community that understands me?
Am I losing parts of my identity with this move?
Will future employers understand my assets?
Is all of this change damaging my mental health?
Why do I idealize countries from my past so much?
How can I balance adapting to new cultures while staying true to myself?
How much should I hold onto my past?
How can I process so many losses from move?
How can I bond with people here
Where is home?
Who am I, really, beneath all these cultural layers?

There are many questions we all share

I hope to be the companion that guides you through the maze of mastering a new way of living, navigating your way around this new world, learning customs and language idiosyncrasies, making friends, building a support system, and achieving your goals as you find your personal comfort zone.

To you, your journey and adventure!

Kwadjo Owusu-Sarfo