In 2007, when I was a few years younger, I visited the United States for some conference work. Truth about it, I was somewhat excited- it being the first time for me to visit the States, and to present papers as a doctoral student. But I went in the midst of the terrorism scare and the Homeland Security buggers were someone that, terrified. Also it was blizzard everywhere and I was cold to the bones. I was in Boston, when they had the storm, and while I was in Detroit it also had another storm. In all, my journey to the States of about two months plus, visiting 10 States from Washington to California, was rather scary. I doubt if I ever want to return.
In cold Columbus – where I presented a paper at the Ohio State University.
I remember having come from Britain, and landed on Detroit, Michigan, I was questioned about my every move in the US. They ( the immigration) wanted to know where I was staying ( and was questioning why a student like me was staying in 5 star hotels) and they needed to know how come my passport had both Chinese and British visas in it. My reply of “I’m a doctoral student and I travel for conferences” was not good enough. Who sponsored you? Who is hosting you? When I said I was on scholarship and sponsored for the trip by my UK university, was somewhat unbelievable to them. To these American security, I’m a student, hence I should be poor and not traveling on business class flights or staying at 5 star hotels. Well maybe, but I was in my 30s, and I have worked before and I’m a doctoral student and there was hardly much difference in the fares of Business or Economy flights , so why not, and I was sponsored by a good uni. After all the questions and unfriendliness, a voice came out from the back of all the men. What is a doctoral student? Ah, actually all they wanted to know was what sort of student I was. When I said I’m a PhD student, they all knew what I meant and from then on the ordeal ended.
But my stay in the US was not that pleasant, I was tired from preparations, and meetings and visits to universities and schools and by the end of most days, just slumped into bed without dinner. Yes I did manage to see the sights, but why did I feel so detached to America. I somehow felt many people were not that friendly or even nice, and in New York, someone just took off with my drink in hand while I was waiting for the WALK sign. How come I never felt good about America, and how come I never liked it? There is something about it that I couldn’t get used to. So when my bosses asked me to go to LA this coming winter, I cringed, and asked quietly, do I really have to?
In Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada.
