Tips, for the Kenyan in the USA PDF  | Print |  E-mail
Written by Patience Wanga.   
Monday, 04 June 2007 00:00
K enyans back home have been fed many falsehoods about life in America. Sadly, they swallow it whole. Allow me to break it down.
A family member has been awarded a much coveted scholarship to attend MIT, and the general assumption is that his excellent performance back at Alliance High School will be reproduced. I am not so sure, and with good reason considering what I have observed in foreign students.

Tips

To begin with Kenyan parents need to have their offspring attain some level of responsibility before farming them off overseas. Your average Kenyan is under parental control and care often until after his college education. Out here in the west, parents will turn their children out as soon as they turn eighteen. Adulthood having being legally achieved they have the choice to go to college, and if so they take this option they have to work their way through college or qualify for a loan on themselves. This demands, if not a sense of responsibility, then at least one of accountability. For the majority of youthful Kenyans on the other hand, being so far from home equals limitless freedom. Unencumbered by debt and the watchful eye of their parents, these are the students who fall into debt or get engrossed in conduct so shameful they cannot return home ,condemned to menial work for eternity.

Secondly, future graduates, cultivate an approach to life based on personal initiative. In other words: no one will do it for you, you are on your own. Whether at work, at school or at home, please do something once in a while because it needs to be done, not because it is your turn. Furthermore, refusing to undertake a task because it has nothing to do with you is childish. As much as you are my sister, I have no time to drive you around town. I will get you a bus pass and set you on your way. Find out where the most important offices are- where to get your driver's licence, your state ID, where the post office and public library are, etc Find out what you can, and save me the trouble of explaining everything.

Take note of culture differences the minute you arrive. Eye contact here is a sign of honesty, back home it is defiance. Do not bow your head down, maintain eye contact at all times. Speak your mind; do not accept blame unless you are in the wrong. Always read the small print. In America, if it is not in writing, it did not happen unless there is a second witness. Ironically, no one likes doing the paper work. I found that the school advisors will discourage students from filing.

The law enforcement people are not your enemy. You are not a criminal. It is a litigious and greedy society, and some people will take advantage of you, be ready to defend yourself if need be but within the law. I personally got ripped off by a car dealer, only two months after my arrival. Most Kenyans advised me to let it go, but I refused to let him get away with it. I knew that I needed to prove only one thing; he knowingly sold me a lemon (one of the many Americanisms, you'll pick up). I went on to court, won my case, and got him on record for fraud, a felony after 5 months in America. It was the first ‘lemon case' to be won in that county, or so I was informed by the media group after interviews.

Get informed. Ask questions. You might discover like I did that some schools do not enforce the foreign tuition after a year of study. Or that summer, a vacation time, is not a semester which one must attend. It is also the best time to arrive in America, since one gets a chance to see more people and learn more. While it is good to have orientation from your kinsmen, try to find out on your own. Nothing irks me as much as a Kenyan who has been here for over 10 years, but does not know anything about the laws governing where he or she lives.

While in Kenya, people wait to be discovered, in America we sell ourselves. Forget such idioms like "Vizuri vyajiuza, vibaya vyajitembeza, here vyote vyajitembeza" . If you think your accent is an issue, immerse yourself in conversation. If you feel uncertain about new people, make friends. Be positively ‘bothersome' Those who do not speak, cannot be heard.

So to my dear cousin, do not let weekends be Kenyan drinking binges, and careless sexual trysts. Your new life will take getting used to but seize the opportunity. Learn how to lead and not to be led. Get involved in your community. One thing that people find strange about me is that I do not necessarily go after organizations that claim to help Africa; I join the community I live in. Meals on Wheels, meet AIDS victims, serve the homeless. This is where you live, a place that is shaping your career and your life, don't just sit and wait until the time to serve your country. Even back home, we lack a volunteer culture; take a few hours to help someone less fortunate. I can tell you it is very fulfilling but what am I saying? See for yourself.

Written on Monday, 04 June 2007 00:00 by Patience Wanga.

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written by a guest , June 05, 2007
What happened to that thread of the disabled?

Patience, work on your grammar!
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student life
written by Nekessa , June 06, 2007
There is a lot of truth in what you say, however, I notice a negative vibe when talking about other Kenyans... hmm?

A balance can be struck between the two worlds. I learnt my best lessons on living in America as a foreigner from other international students. Also you learn best another's culture by interacting with them.

Many foreign students, as you rightly assess, live home right after high school having never lived on their own before. It takes a lot of discipline to make it in any part of the world, even if one stayed in Kenya.

The in-state tuition is a great tip. And so are volunteer hours which will go a long way in adding to your cv when applying for grad school. And scholarships too! Stats show that many scholarships go unused as students don't apply for them. There is no harm in trying.

Another thing, many parents and other relatives, thinking that America is the land of milk and honey expect their children to fund their lifestyle. Well, there is no working three shifts and taking classes that results in a successful academic career.
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students in America
written by Caroline , June 08, 2007
Thank you so much for your insight. I am actually a graduate student in Education studying the impressions, prejudices, pressures, etc. of Kenyan students in America, and your piece is very helpful. Please let me know if you would like to share more.
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Tips continued
written by a guest , June 08, 2007
@Caroline
Do not uplift this material, you may only read it.


Owning material things.
Among things that excite kenyan youngsters is the thought that they can drive so easily. Here, it is not about having aride, it is about what make you got. A kenyan, only a year old or so can easily own a Benz, hummer, anything...and trust me, the salesmen will try to sell it to you. All they will need is a good credit, and a job.
Same issue comes with housing. Good credit, job and a house is possible.
But take time and think about it.

You, as a new immigrant have joined those at the bottom of the proffesional totem pole in America, earning the minimum wage that comes with menial jobs...(unless one is in medical careers, and gets certified, they will begin down here).
With a an hourly paycheck of $8, one only makes enough to pay for the car, and house. The kind of living becomes paycheck-to paycheck. Occasionally, a second job is needed to keep up with the payments. But thats not the sad part. The sad part is that in this menial jobs where sacking is a common occurence, the house and flashy car are constantly at risk of repossesion. One only needs to miss about 3 payments, and it is all taken back, and a huge dent to their credit.

This is one thing that has buried fellow Kenyans in a humdrum. The irony of the flashy car is that they dont get to show it off, because they are slaving to pay it off. You, the buyer will always loose here. Never mind that your chances of pursuing other things become slimmer with this burdens taken so early.


Negative vibe about Kenyans?
Will continue on that one...
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Anonymous- interesting input
written by Caroline , June 10, 2007
Anonymous-
Thanks for the interesting input, and know that this is totally confidential.
It is ironic many American young people fall into the same money trap. Once they are 18 yeards old they are targeted for new credit cards, new cars, etc. that make getting the money so easy. The reality is paying it back, especially with those $8 an hour jobs is not easy, and sometimes impossible.
So many American TV shows must make the world think we all live in Beverly Hills with big houses and flashy cars. The truth is most American students today are very much on their own. If the parents work an average job they can not afford the high price of college (or often just don't want to help), so students have to get loans to go to school plus work to just pay everyday expenses.
It seems we are always be told how important education is, but the system is making it almost impossible for average kids to go. It's getting to be 'survival of the richest'.
What is the system in Kenya? Is there a big emphasis on education? Is university funded by the government? Does the family support and honor their children being successful?
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written by a guest , June 11, 2007
I disagree on aducation being for the richest in America.
Most American kids suffer from severe Self Initiative defficiency.
There are so many scholarships for these children out there, they can go to school without paying a penny!

The employers support them to go to school if need be. If an immigrant can garner the scholarships, why not the American.

SIMPLY PUT, THEY DONT LOOK FOR MONEY SOURCES. It is this way, one can do it the hard way or the simple way!

Some American kids are a tad bit too ignorant. They only know iPODS, XBOX 300, and the latest sports shoes.

Thats my opinion on American kids. I dont think they know what is important in life.

Kenya is where 'education for the richest' truly exists.
Until the other day when the govt decided to waive elementary school charges, parents are responsible for a students upkeep all their academic life.
Moreso, there is very little working and studying...jobs dont exist!

Too may Kenyans have formal education and nothing to do with it. Underemployed or jobless. The education system largely lacks in stimulating creativity.
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written by Caroline , June 11, 2007
I agree that too many US kids are tuned out to reality. They don't take advantage of the education they are given, I know adults who have 'graduated' after 13 years of school and still do not know what 5 x 5 equals! Maybe if they knew what it was really like to not be able to find a job, or a home, or food, they would appreciate it more. Americans have had it so good for so long, they're getting soft, and are on a downward slide without immigrants to bring some new vitality to the system.
So do most Kenyan kids get an opportunity to go to school? What do they need to do to go to a university? Is it easier to attend college if you can get to the US? I have had a few Kenyan students in my classes here and have been very impressed by their commitment to learning.
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written by a guest , June 11, 2007
There is one curse Britons left Kenyans, a strong faith in academia.
In Kenya, education is highly regarded, even when those educated do not seem to be of much help. For instance, our current parliament is arguably one with the most college graduates, but they still run the country to the ground.

So far as I mentioned, kids do have an opportuniy as from 2005 to attend elementary and junior high (called primary school) free. However, it is a heavy burden on teachers and the system since the resources to support this free education have run out fast. In addition, while this measure was hailed as a big positive, it still does very little because very few can afford highschool, and a child with only primary school education is just not ready to fend for him/herself.

In Kenya, on 10% of those who qualify for college degrees get the opportunity to pursue them. The rest are left on their own, and there are no jobs for high school graduates. I guess what am saying is, getting any public college admission in Kenya is a competitive and corruption ridden excersize. The rich then can ship their children to America and the rest of the world to pursue whatever they want.
Also note that th Kenyans who come to American schools are not necessarily the best of the lot, a majority are simply from able families. They got by in high school, and it is much easier to get by in America. An average student from Kenya will easily excel in American schools.
So some intelligent kids in kenya get kicked to the curb, the intellectually non-perfoming whose parents are able come to AMERICA, get degrees and go back to mismanage the country.
It may sound harsh, but that is how I see it.

Yes, Kenyan students in the US appear to be keen on education, thanks to the British education system that shaped them into that.
Unfortunately, we lack the 'out-of-box' thinking that American kids exhibit.
We get caught up reading, and hoping for jobs in four-walled rooms a.k.a offices or white collar jobs (a measure of success for most Kenyans) instead of looking for other methods of sustaining development.

By the way, @Caroline these are my opinions. I hope you are not going to join the Western train that gleefully paints Africa as gloom, from the pieces I am dropping here!
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written by Caroline , June 12, 2007
Be assured I have no perspective of Africa as 'doom and gloom'. It is, afterall, the cradle of all mankind and we are all cousins according to the DNA. I have always clicked with the Kenyans in my classes, maybe more so than many Americans, and I think it is because my family is more Old World with close ties to my Swedish heritage. I find it especially interesting that African-Americans still so strongly identify with their roots, even though their ancestors have been here hundreds of years longer than most 'white' Americans. Maybe that's why I'm fascinated by African culture, as it seems to have deep family roots as my heritage does. Maybe those extreme climates make us bind together tighter?
I do take issue with being just a 'white' American as my strong heritage makes me feel different than the regular American kids. (I have a very close family, my sisters are my best friends, and we are all so pale and sunburn so easily that the usual outdoor American activities, like going to the beach, are not fun for us.) This is almost the flip-side of a born African coming to America, where you may not automatically fit in with the African-Americans as they are paler.

It's an interesting dynamic now in America with people of so many colors, it is happily becoming difficult to tell what anyone's heritage is just by looking at them. Young people now easily date and marry no matter what their color (though not all the grandparents are so happy with that). And so, I think I am interested in why I feel so much more comfortable with people from other countries than with my own......and maybe I am a bit jealous of African complexions, what I wouldn't do to be able to spend a day in the sun without my sunblock!
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written by a guest , June 12, 2007
Thanks for clarifying, I appreciate. I apologise if I did put you on your defense. My parents taught me to always mistrust everything/evryone I dont know!
I was beginning to wonder who you were, and why the keen interest in all these. Moreso, it sounded kinda weird that a Kenyan was studying, and did not seem to know about 'Kenya'....

I beleive there is no better race than the other. We are all as good. You may be jealousy of the african skin that does not need sun block...but u dont have to think twice about brushing your hair every morning.
My take on African-Americans...especially those whose forefathers were shipped to North America were done a great diservice by being flung apart from each other, families constantly broken in attempt to destroy any meeting of minds that could lead to an uprisal. This had had a big negative sociological/psychological impact that still plays out today. In parts of south America where slaves from same regions were allowed to stay together, one will note more similarities to african traditions as known. But agian, I have not undertaken any african-ameican studies, and have little authority on the subject matter.

African Americans being paler? Please note that having an eighth/quarter of african genes (octadroon/quadroon) in one makes them African American. All descendants of biracial unions that included any african gene is termed AA and as you have correctly posted, this unions are today core common.

Before such unions were legalized (as late as the 60's) such children were largely as a result of rape or huge sexual appetites of masters.

So now, why did you choose Kenya?
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written by Caroline , June 13, 2007
Funny thing is, I do have to worry about my hair. Some Swedes have very curly hair, and I'm one of those. My hair is also dark, but my skin is very pale and my eyes are light blue. This confuses people when I wear big hats and sit in the shade as they think anyone with dark hair should get skin color too. This 'Snow White' complexion comes from the Swedes on my mother's side. In doing my family history in Europe, there is a rumor that maybe one of our ancestors was an Algierian pirate who took his lifetime of loot and settled in the North. This would have been about 500 years ago, but its interesting to think maybe after all these generation my curls are African!
It's also interesting how skin color does not seem to have been a factor in Europe or America until the slave trade began. Shakespeare wrote Othello, a black man married to a white woman, in the 1500s and none of the play even mentions any kind of racism or prejudice against their marriage. Also, there were inter-racial marriages in early America that were not frowned on. I think it only became taboo when economics came into it. In order to justify slavery of Africans, they had to come up with reasons why people with different skin color were not like whites, so they wouldn't feel guilty about using other human beings so horrendously. (Although, human beings have been using each other as slaves for thousands of years, and still do, no matter what their skin color. Very sad).
And I suppose I am also interested in Kenya as it has been so successful compared to your neighbors. All we hear about Africa much of the time is stories from Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia about warfare, starvation and refugees. As you said, Africa is not all doom, and I'm curious how Kenya came out of colonialism so much healthier than other countries. (Not that I'm fooling myself into thinking you are all worry-free!) My thinking is that a concentration on education has helped keep Kenya moving forward.
Also, it seems there is alot more religious fighting now in nearby countries. After the embassy bombing in Kenya, do you worry about being attacked again? Is Kenya seen by it's neighbors as being more closely associated with the US?
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written by aeichener , June 13, 2007
Very interesting, Karolina. The perception of darker-skinned humans in pre-slavetrade Europe is indeed an interesting topic. The moor(ess) is regarded as an alien, but because of his/her religion, not so much for dark colour in and by itself. Popular depiction varies between the Noble Moor (St. Maurice in religious iconography, the bi-coloured Feirefiz in literature) and between St. Nicholas' dark demonic servant.

As to Kenya, it came out of colonialism better than many other countries and only deteriorated afterwards. *Sigh*

Also, you are mistaken - IMO - in your assessment of the role of the education-fixation and raving credentialism of Kenyans, which I see as altogether very negative, and an impediment to healthy development.

Alexander
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written by a guest , June 14, 2007
I write what I see, and make of it. Was poor at history, because it was convenietly hard to prove.
Race issues are rife in America. Here is why I think it is so. America is the land of the free, brought into existence by those running from persecution.

The Asians have their caste systems, they can not be crosed. The Europeans/British have their social classes. It is hard to move from a lower one upwards.
However in America, one can come from the dungeon to the top. Very admirable indeed.

Samuel Clemens in his comedies once said said, God created the monkey after suffering a dissapointment in man.
Put 100 men of the same color & language in one place in the morning at 6:00am, by noon, they'd have found something to fight about.

In my opinion, Kenya was favored by colonialists because of its beautiful highlands, making it a good place to live. The name of the capital city means cool waters. It is neither hot, nor cold. They'd own lands/property elsewhere, but live in Kenya. By living there, it was only right that it is made more habitable.

Indeed Kenya deteroriated after colonialism. The African was learning to handle freedom, and run the country just like the colonizer. It will get better, or so I hope.
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