First essay :) Adapting to a New Environment

Amani Hawsawi

Intermediate R/W2

April 11, 2012

Teacher: Lori Dolemland 

Adapting to a New Environment

Human beings are very adaptable. We can live in most climates of the world. In the past , people tended to stay in the place they were born, but now we move easily from country to city, from one part to another, and even from country to country. Each place has its own customs and ways of life, and countries also have different languages. When I moved from Saudi Arabia to USA, I had to make several adjustments to my life.

First of all, English every day, one of the hardest things is to communicate with native speakers, and to deal with a new language all day. Every day I have to chilling myself. My brain is working without rest. I have to think in English when I talk to someone or speak, write, listen, read, and dream, too. I feel under pressure often, and I wonder about a drug to acquire this language quickly.

Another issue for me when I moved here was handling money. Usually, I didn’t take care about money. Even if I had any problem, or I wanted to buy anything, I knew there are my parents and my brothers they can support me any time. Also, I didn’t know the bread, rice or milk cost, for example. I spent most my salary on phone bill, or new jewelry or some gifts. However, here it is opposite because I have to think about many things, such as an electric bill, an apartment fee, a water fee, and the food cost... etc. In brief, here I have to deal with money carefully.

One of the most important things that I had to get accustomed to is the safety. I am a stranger; therefore, I feel unsafe. For example, I am afraid to go outside my home after the sun sets. In my country, I prepare to visit my friends at sunset, and I could go to shopping at night, too without worrying. Last month at midnight, one of my neighbors had a problem, and I didn’t

know what it was. I heard the policemen call him. After that, I heard a man was crying and screaming. And I saw a helicopter and six police cars. I had never seen anything like this. When I came to here, I realize what an importance of safety to live in new place.

In conclusion, I wonder sometimes if I am the same person I was before I moved. By adjusting my English, my money, and my safety. I may appear to other to as if I am a new person. However, I think of it not as having changed as having grown.