Blending in

Yingyin Zeng

ESL 100 CE

September 25, 2025

 

Blending in

        Leaving behind one’s familiar place and family is never comfortable, not to mention immigration. Sometimes, people may feel puzzled. They have to understand and accustom themselves to a diverse culture, various things, and unfamiliar people, which are completely different from those in their own country. They have to find a new way to fit into an unaccustomed place. After moving from Hong Kong to the United States, it was difficult for me to adjust. Fortunately, although I had a hard time blending in, I have gained more experience in Chicago with various tiny parts.

        The first and most challenging part for me to blend into this country has been English, an unfamiliar language. I never wanted to live in an unknown place with an unfamiliar culture. Chinese is my first language, which is totally different from English, in characters and in structure. Even though I have been learning English in school for many years, it is still a terrible experience for me. I sob, missing home every night, and asking myself if I belong here. This thought constantly exists in my mind. Every time people speak to me, I cannot even understand what they are saying due to the different accents. I am afraid of picking up a call; I cannot respond to them in a fluent sentence and smooth tone. However, I realize that I have to work and go to school, which are good methods for me to blend into this society. I am a passive person, and I need something to motivate me. There is still a long way for me to feel fully comfortable in this country, but luckily, I feel like I am getting better than before.

        Fortunately, everything is getting better day by day. I have gained more living experiences from every little matter. When all tiny things combine, the enormous power makes me stronger. I tend to overthink. I worry about safety, conversation, and prices. However, I told myself that I need to be independent. I should try to go out and explore more; at least I can start by completing a few things. For example, I have begun to buy groceries by myself and eat alone. Although those things are insignificant, it is important for me to train myself step by step. I have gained more living experience recently, and that has made it easier to blend in and feel more comfortable. I can feel that I am becoming fearless when facing different problems. I am on the way to being independent, which is important when people are living alone in a new place.

        Fitting into a whole new world can be truly challenging, but people gain valuable skills and experiences as they adjust to different lifestyles. I am also growing up to become a brave, confident, and independent person. The key is to take some basic actions, focusing on work, study, and doing all the little things. These difficult processes are the foundational steps that every newcomer has to go through to more easily blend into the fantastic new world.