Arrival.
So far, Bhutanese refugees came to the United States on their known, without an offer of resettlement. They established themselves without assistance, unlike those coming through a resettlement program.
Property.
About ten (of the total of about 33) families have bought their own houses. Every family owns a car or two, except for those living in bigger metropolis like New York.
There are two businesses owned by Bhutanese refugees: one in Florida and one in New York City.
A group of Bhutanese refugees own and operate a splendid restaurant in California.
A Bhutanese refugee owns an engineering firm in Washington state.
Education.
A few of them have earned their educational degrees after coming to the United States, while working to support themselves as well as their families back in Nepal and/or Bhutan.
One aced the National League of Nursing exams recently and has enrolled in a nursing program, while another completed his nursing program and works with a States' health program.
Another was recently awarded a prestigious scholarship and has started attending a prestigious college in Georgia.
One completed his bachelor’s degree and entered New York city’s service recently.
Some continue to juggle work and education at the same time, doing well in both.
Their children continue to excel in the schools they attend. They grow up in a much better and challenging environment.
Work.
However, all of these achievements have through hard work. People here work long hours, so they can make enough money to support themselves here and their families back in Bhutan/Nepal.
Most of the Bhutanese refugees in the US work in stores as cashiers, managers, supervisors, certified nursing aides, nurses, real estate agents, wholesale delivery persons. Three work in well-known non-profit organizations. Two work for the state and city government. Some run their own business. Some juggle two jobs, while some go to school while working overtime.
The difficulties.
· You will miss home, even the refugee camps.
· It will take some time for you to get used to the new culture and tradition.
· You will have to work hard (but it is better than working in the fields for twelve hours a day), but it will take time for you to get used to after having spent so long a time in the refugee camps.
· You will miss community of friends, because you will not always have time to just sit and talk.
· The difference in language, morals, and customs of other people living in this country may overwhelm you at first. This country has perhaps a few hundred different kinds of people living here.
· Learning to navigate the system (services, transportation etc) take a toll on you, but it is not undoable. Those of us here have mastered it. So can anyone!
· The concept of lnd ownership may be difficult to understand.
· No one gives you anything for free. Initially, you will be helped to re-establish yourself. Then you have to work hard to establish a life, and you CAN.
Posted by: Ashok Gurung
E-mail:asokgurung@gmail.com
