Q: What country are you originally from and why did you leave that country?
A: I am from Gabon. In particular, I'm from the south from a village called M'bigou. I left because I met a beautiful woman named, Rebecca. She is American and I decided to leave Gabon.
Q: What was your first impression of the United States? Has this initial impression changed over time?
Q: How were you treated when you first arrived in the United States? How are you treated now?
A: When I first came, I couldn't speak English very well. Before I came, I thought everything was perfect in United States. When you're new you see only positive. But, when you've been here a while, you can see the positive and the negative things. But, it's still a good country.
A: I am from Gabon. In particular, I'm from the south from a village called M'bigou. I left because I met a beautiful woman named, Rebecca. She is American and I decided to leave Gabon.
Q: Please describe your original country.
A: Gabon is a French colony. They speak many tribal languages but the national language is French. I speak Nzebi which is spoken in the south. We have 1.5 million people. We have many natural resources. It is a small country in Africa. We have never had a civil war.
Q: How did you prepare for your trip here?
A: Well, when I found out that I would be coming to United States, I went to start my passport. It takes about a year to get a passport. I also got a visa at the same time. I got a plane ticket and I came to United States.
Q: How did you prepare for your trip here?
A: Well, when I found out that I would be coming to United States, I went to start my passport. It takes about a year to get a passport. I also got a visa at the same time. I got a plane ticket and I came to United States.
Q: What was your first impression of the United States? Has this initial impression changed over time?
A: It was an amazing experience. I came from a small village. The language, culture, society, everything was different. It was really hard, really different. But, I made my decision to stay so I made the best I could.
America is a beautiful country. There a lot of opportunities. I was able to come and go back to school. I got many diplomas and had wonderful children. It is a good country compared to many countries in the world.
Q: What are some of the differences/similarities you've noticed in the cultures here and in your home country?
A: It is totally different. It is difficult to compare because the food, language, and culture is very different. The way people relate is very different.
America is a beautiful country. There a lot of opportunities. I was able to come and go back to school. I got many diplomas and had wonderful children. It is a good country compared to many countries in the world.
Q: What are some of the differences/similarities you've noticed in the cultures here and in your home country?
A: It is totally different. It is difficult to compare because the food, language, and culture is very different. The way people relate is very different.
Q: How were you treated when you first arrived in the United States? How are you treated now?
A: When I first came, I couldn't speak English very well. Before I came, I thought everything was perfect in United States. When you're new you see only positive. But, when you've been here a while, you can see the positive and the negative things. But, it's still a good country.
Q: Were your expectations of America met? Was your idea of America the same as the reality?
A: No, not really. When I was in Africa, I heard that things are easy to get in America. That money would be easy to get but it's not easy. When I got here, I realized that it is very difficult here. Things aren't perfect but it's good. You must work hard.
Q: How long did it take you to learn English?
A: After 3-4 months you can understand but really it took about a year to learn. Learning from friends was the best way to learn. Learning English in school was not easy.
Q: Who taught you to drive?
A: My wife.
A: No, not really. When I was in Africa, I heard that things are easy to get in America. That money would be easy to get but it's not easy. When I got here, I realized that it is very difficult here. Things aren't perfect but it's good. You must work hard.
Q: How long did it take you to learn English?
A: After 3-4 months you can understand but really it took about a year to learn. Learning from friends was the best way to learn. Learning English in school was not easy.
Q: Who taught you to drive?
A: My wife.
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| Michel Lekika becoming a US citizen! |
Thank you for sharing this interview. I love the photos! I think Michel was very brave to leave his homeland and come to this country. I am so glad he did!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he came, too! Otherwise, I wouldn't be the same person. MIA
DeleteI'm glad he came, too! Otherwise, I wouldn't be the same person. MIA
ReplyDelete