Gainkumar Ramsaywack — Leaving a Legacy
Gainkumar Ramsaywack emigrated from Guyana, to the Bronx, New York with his parents in 1975. Although he was just a baby when his parents decided to come to the United States, GainKumar, also known as Nick recognizes the sacrifices his parents went through in order to prove “that you can come here and make something good of yourself.
Nick’s biggest achievement was being the first to graduate from college, in his household, an opportunity his parents did not have back in Guyana. Today, his philosophy of the American Dream is leaving a legacy for his children to continue forward in life with.
Someone once said:
- ‘Do you know your great-great-great-grandfather?’
- I said ‘no, I don’t’.
- And the guy said:
- ‘Do you know why you don’t know your great-great-great-grandfather? It’s because he never left you a legacy.’
Learn more about Nick's Legacy and life lessons for future immigrants.
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Alvaro Felix — The Job of your Dreams
Since the moment Alvaro had his first job in the US, he told himself he needed to find something he was passionate about for the long-term, something that made him feel good.
Growing up in La Vega, a village known for its friendly people, good food, and of course "El Carnaval," which is the biggest, most vibrant carnival in the Dominican Republic, Alvaro developed a good sense for art. Meet Alvaro Felix, a 30-year old immigrant from the Dominican Republic whose clever business idea forged his own path to success in the United States.
“Back home dreams are harder to reach as they do not come so fast. I might have been able to buy a car or a house there but not with the ease and speed I have been able to in the US. The United States is the land of opportunity, if you work hard and put a plan into action, success is just a matter of time.”
Learn more about his journey coming to the United States and his way of living “The American Dream”
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Diego Saldeño — The Value of Work
In life, you need to set your goals! Once you identify your passion, something you really want, then you can focus on working hard and visualize yourself closer to your goals.
Diego Saldeño, emigrated to the United States in 2008 from his native country, Venezuela. His first goal was to complete his college education and once he finished college he moved to New York City; where he has been residing since 2012.
“My childhood in Venezuela was a very happy one. What I enjoyed doing was share with my friends and play soccer. The problems in Venezuela began around 2005-2006 when the economy began to crumble and the country started becoming unsafe for those who lived there.”
When he graduated High School, he decided to follow his dreams of becoming a publicist. “I began to idealize being a publicist and knowing this is what I wanted, I felt the that should go to the best city in the world for advertising, which was New York.. At the end of his college years, he moved to NY to fully pursue his goal.
Learn more about Diego’s Story and how his success has allowed him to help his family and friends back in Venezuela during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Mariano Rivera — Dreams do come true. Part 2.
This week we continue interviewing Mariano Rivera where he talks about the importance of his family’s core values, Hispanic pride, and advice for future generations who are in pursuit of the American Dream.
“Dreams do come true, and we should give 100% of ourselves in order to reach them. We come to this foreign country and we must behave and do things the right way because not only do we represent our families, but our race and our country as well. The American dream is attainable, but one must work for it. When you finally reach it, you must set the best example so that those who come after you, will do the same.
Watch more about his story, in this new video of “Stories of the American Dream”.
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Mariano Rivera — Dreams do come true
“When I left my country for the first time, I had never been on a plane. I experienced mixed emotions. There was happiness, as I was going to do what I loved the most, but there was also nostalgia because I was leaving my family and did not know what to expect. It was the first time I was apart from my family for an extended period of time. I did not speak English, and everything was in English, so it was very difficult. It was challenging from the very first moment.”
This is how Mariano Rivera describes the moment he had to leave his family in Panama to pursuit his dream in the United States. Watch more about his story, in this new episode of “Stories of the American Dream”.
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Maria Ofelia Enriquez - Leaving your loved ones, is leaving a part of you
Never in her life would Maria Ofelia ever experience such fear as when she crossed the US border for the first time. It took her a month and a half to get to Houston braving dangers and risking her life, all for the well-being of her family, especially her two children.
“On arrival to the United States, what impresses you the most is knowing that you are stepping on American soil, because you are finally safe from many dangers. The biggest impression is that you are going to find a better life for you and your family”
While in the US, Maria Ofelia received news that one of her loved ones, her mother, was in poor health; Doctors had given her only 2 days to live. Without thinking about it twice, Maria returned to Honduras, her homeland, along with her 2-year-old American son, to be with her mother on her deathbed. Continue to watch her full story in this new video of "Stories of the American Dream".
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Ajie Attawia - The Son of the Student
Ajie came to the United States because her father was a tireless student. Through a student visa he was able to bring his family from Sierra Leone, where he was a pastor. He studied theology and later did a master's and a doctorate in economics.
The thing that impressed him the most, when he arrived in the United States, was fast food. “In a matter of minutes, you can satisfy your stomach” As a child, coming from a country where he had to wait for meals to be prepared, it amazed him how quickly he was able to grab food at a drive-thru in the US.
Attawia acknowledges that the United States “is a country that opens up your mind and opens you up to new experiences so you can go out in the world and apply them.”
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Jose Miguel Guzman - I came because of love
The only reason for the arrival of José Miguel Guzmán to the United States; LOVE! The one who is his wife today. received a job offer in Atlanta, Georgia and proposed that he went with her: "Basically I was in love with her, and so here I am, married with 2 children"
Despite the weather, Guzmán has not forgotten the cold that greeted him upon his arrival: "What hit me the most as soon as I arrived in the United States, was a totally inhospitable climate, as I arrived in the middle of winter. It was a very harsh and ugly winter. The wind was blowing very hard, a little snow was falling and I missed the spring"
On top of this, they could not find the hotel where they were going to stay. José Miguel shares an impossible to forget anecdote; "We could not find the hotel and we called to tell them that we were near a Burger King so they could guide us, and of course they laughed at us, because there were Burger Kings everywhere". Today, all of that is almost forgotten. José works as a translator in the County helping those who, like him, arrived without speaking English.
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Kedir Seid - Family and Soccer
As a child, Kedir Seid disliked the idea of coming to the United States and leaving his friends back in Ethiopia 🇪🇹.
“I hated having to come here, I didn't want to because I was leaving my friends behind. I didn't have problems like other people had. I didn't have to leave my family because we all came at the same time, but the really...really hard part for me, was leaving my friends behind. I remember going all the way to Minnesota on the Greyhound bus, just to play.”
Fortunately, Seid was able to come with his entire family. The families unity has been the great strength in achieving many dreams in America. As he describes it: “In America, you can be whoever you want to be. Whoever or whatever, but it has to come from you. What you wish for and how badly you want it.”
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Captain Singh - When Michael Jackson visited my store
"Coming to the USA, was a challenge, a different language, even though we spoke English, the culture was different. This is a country that offers many opportunities, but at the same time, we must work very hard. Nobody will give you anything at no cost.
The work that I like the most is what I do today. It has been more than 20 years, helping my father, talking with people from different countries, different backgrounds…”
Singh still reflects on all the wonderful moments he has experienced in this country, especially the day that Michael Jackson visited his store. Watch the full story in this new video of “Stories Of The American Dream” and learn how Michael Jackson ended at Singh’s store in Miami, FL.
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Rosa Lopez - Dreams come true
“In my time it was so difficult to have a doll, that my dad had to use pieces of wood to make our dolls, those were the kind of toys we had. My dad also built little wooden cars for my brothers, they used to tie a string to them and run, and I was always running behind them playing.”
In El Salvador 🇸🇻, Rosa Lopez heard many stories of other people emigrating to the United States, before she decided to come to this country. “It was not easy, but it wasn’t impossible either”. After many years of living in the USA, Lopez has her own business which allows her to provide support to her family.
Watch her full story in this new video of “Stories Of The American Dream”.
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Holidays Edition
Celebrating the Holiday Season is always a memorable moment, and every country has their different way to celebrate it.
Watch how people from India, Haiti, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Ghana continue many of their homeland traditions while living in the United States.
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Miriam Atria - Succeeding during Covid19
Five years ago, Mirian Atria emigrated from Venezuela 🇻🇪 to the United States, fleeing insecurity and the uncertainty of not knowing if she would have milk to give her two toddlers, 2 and 3 years old. This year she has had a dejavu of that feeling, when she came out positive for COVID19.
“Being a single mother is hard enough as it is and even more so in this country. Everyday things are becoming more and more complicated; working from home, being involved with the children's online classes, making them their meals, all the daily activities daily, etc ... but we have succeeded and we will continue to move forward."
Learn about her full story and how she has coped with this pandemic in this new video of "Stories of the American Dream”.
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Sandra Rucaya - Home is Home
“God has blessed me. I have a wonderful husband and 3 boys. I have my own business and I am doing great. If I compare myself to those I left in Ghana, it is not the same, so America has been the best for me.”
Sandra came to the United States to work with her uncle in the African market, and after years of learning she now runs her own business. She is happy and grateful for her family and the opportunities this country has given her, but without a doubt; She will retire in her lovely Ghana 🇬🇭.
Watch her full story in this new video of “Stories Of The American Dream”.
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Sahid Chowdhudy - Thieves and Sandwiches
Sahib arrived in the United States with his family after a 30-hour flight. The hardest part of leaving his country of Bangladesh 🇧🇩, was leaving his family, friends, and neighbors behind. While studying Business Administration, Chowdhudy knew he wanted to be his own boss, and today he owns a small convenience store in Florida.
Although he misses home, especially playing cricket, the national sport in Bangladesh, Sahid likes his life in the United States; enjoying the freedom and opportunities that this country has to offer.
Watch the full story of his pursuit of the American Dream.
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Tania Ramírez - The Guitar, Beans and Cheese
“We thought that the USA was the best country to raise our children, there were jobs. In those days, we were welcomed. Thank God, everything has worked out… In fact, I am now a citizen of this country.”
Tania Ramírez and her two children emigrated to the United States from Nicaragua 🇳🇮 in 1986. She has gone through hard times, but nothing compares to the day her son had to go to Afghanistan. “When he returned, my heart went back to its rightful place. Before that, it was just up in the air, waiting for his return”.
Watch the full story of this mother in her pursuit of the American Dream.
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Elza Normil - Family, Business, Success
Elza Normil emigrated from Haiti🇭🇹. to the United States with her mother, to continue her education, leaving her father, who was her adoration, behind.
“My first job in the United States was at Kentucky Fried Chicken. The hardest job, was working in newspaper delivery. I had to do that job seven days a week and it was really tough. One day I just decided; “Elsa, why don't you try for yourself instead of making money for people, why don't you try to make your own money by yourself? So I decided to open a business.”
Today, Elza owns her own business, has 2 wonderful children, and is living a fulfilling life. Learn more of her full story in this new “Stories of the American Dream”.
Watch the full story in her pursuit of the American Dream.
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Erenabi Naagbi — A Welcomed Refugee
"Erenabi Naagbi knows what it is like to leave everything. In the midst of an armed civil conflict for control of Nigeria's resources, he had to flee for his life and emigrated to the United States.
"There was no peace, so we had to look for a place to have a safer life. At that point, I left my country as a refugee."
In this story from the video series, "Stories of the American Dream", Erenabi does not want to talk about the suffering, but he does convey his joy when talking about how welcoming Americans have been upon his arrival to the United States.
Find out what have been the most difficult times since leaving his country, Nigeria."
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Pablo Calonge — Everything changed with a click
""Every goodbye is sad. I remember perfectly the night before I left, partying with my friends. Then I went home to say goodbye to my parents, tears and hugs…I asked them not to come to the airport to say goodbye. I didn’t want to cry anymore."
This is how Pablo Calonge's story begins, as he remembers the night before leaving his beloved land, Spain. In 1995, Pablo decided to leave Spain to study for a year in Colorado. After completing his studies, he moved to work in Mexico. It was there that he met his wife.
Watch and learn more about Pablo's story, in this new episode of “Stories of the American Dream”. Find out what made him return to the United States, and how he plans to live in his retirement."
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Luis Romero — My First Shoes
"I started working as a child to help my mom. I bought my first shoes with money I made carrying shopping bags.
"When I came to the US from Honduras in 1990, my mother was sick in the hospital. Not being able to attend my mother and grandmother’s funerals was very difficult for me. If I left the United States, I was at risk of having to stay in Honduras and abandoning my family here in the United States."
My children are wonderful! One is an air traffic controller, a pilot, and my daughter is studying law. Every day I wake up next to my wife and look at everything I have accomplished, then I say; "I am better off now.""
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Beatriz Mendoza – Verses in the water
"Beatriz Cortizos loves her Colombian land as much as writing. When she was young, the heart of this poet and narrator, invited her to live in Argentina, because it was the land of Borges and Soda Stereo, but her reasoning led her to the United States.
She worked in all kinds of jobs until she managed to enter the communication world. Today, she writes verses and has her own pool cleaning company, along with her partner and husband. For Beatriz, her son Martin, has been the best gift that life has given her while living in the United States."
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Jose and Carla — Welcomes and Farewells
"Jose – "I arrived in 1992, exactly on Holy Thursday, I remember it because the next day I had to work, and it was Good Friday…. In Honduras, we never had to work on that day. I had never worked on that day before, but with the need to earn some cash, I opted for working on Good Friday, Saturday, and Sunday."
Carla – "Twenty years ago… Everything changed. We were always thinking about going back to Honduras, but our son was born, and everything changed for us""
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Malena Rosero — From Ecuador to the World…
"My father always used to say that the world is great and wide, and we should get out there and get to know it, and this broadens your mind and develops your emotions, this is completely true.
I decided to leave my country because I was given a professional opportunity that I could not refuse, and honestly, I think I was looking for this opportunity.
In this country, if you demonstrate who you are and you put in the effort and dedication,
DOORS WILL OPEN"
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Gustavo Villeda — To another place with my music
"I saw that I really had opportunities as a musician and that I could live in the US by getting a talent visa. We sold everything, dismantled the home, and walked through the empty house and all our memories in 8 suitcases. We were very happy there.
I’m very happy here, the Caribbean Sea, the beaches, I love the sea, the beach, fishing and it’s so close here. Just imagine, there’s this tremendously beautiful cosmopolitan city, at the edge of the sea, what else can I ask for to this life?"
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Luis Astorga — My Motorcycle
"I left Mexico looking for a better life. Leaving my family, my culture, all my friends was the most difficult thing. Smugglers got me across the border. It was not easy at all. I had to go through a lot of hardships, humiliations, real danger.
My first job was making roofs. I realized that the US was not an easy place, I would have to work hard. Now, I still do drywall and interior construction work framing, but now I have my own company.
I was 18 when I came to the US. Six years later I bought my first house. That was an incredible joy for me."
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Ana Leon — When I left Cuba
"Leaving Cuba was so sad. In those days, when a person left Cuba, his family used to say, “I buried a family member,” because when you decided to leave, you knew you couldn’t come back, and you didn’t know when you would have any news of your family again.
The hardest job I got in the United States, was raising my children alone. I traveled from Venezuela to the United States because, I separated from my children’s father… I came to a new country, to start over again, learn a new language, and raise my children alone as a mother and father.
You have a lot of positive things in this country, but you must do your part."
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