Balance Higher Education Thesis

Raphael's Immigration

Student: Joseph Yoon Instructor: Dr. Thompson

11/07/24

His Background

Specifics

1. Korean-born American citizen

3. US Citizen for 44 years

Born in South Korea, applied for US citizenship as an immigrant

Currently 61 years old, Rafael has been living in the US for 44 years

2. 17 Year old Immigrant

4. Parents' Decision

Immigrated to the US when he was 17 years old

By the decision of his parents, Rafael had to move to the US with his family

What does immigration mean to you?

Naturalization

Definition

*Legal process through which a non-citizen of a country acquires citizenship or nationality of that country*

In naturalization, citizenship is conferred on a foreign-born person

Difficulty

Relationship

Q2

Q1

Relatively easy, compared to some other countries

Positive changes and a more powerful passport.

Practices

Impact

Q4

Q3

Level of sense of belonging relies on many different factors

Rafael agrees that cultural practices can be well preserved

Language Barriers

Struggles

"So I was 17 when I first came to the states, obviously the challenge of a language barrier is the first thing you encounter."

1. How you interact with your own ethnic group
2. How you make boundaries in your environment

Impact of Bilingualism

*Bilingualism is an Advantage*

Chapter 4.3.4 Bilingualism

• "I would say that being bilingual is an advantage. You have more open doors in networking and career opportunities."

• use of two or more languages in places of work or educational facilities, and it accords each language equal legitimacy

*A Benefit in Career Development*

Bilingual Education

• "My own experience lead to how I raised my daughter, providing whatever I could so that she would be better equipped in persuing her passion."

• A progam that instructs children in their native language while gradually introducing them to the dominant language in society

*Fortunate Family*

Mixed-Status Families

• "I was lucky enough that none of my family members had to experience fearing deportation."

• Families in which one or more members are citizens and one or more and non-citizen

"Could you describe your experience as a mixed status family? That is, a family with members who have different immigration statuses."

Refugees and Asylees

Information I Shared with Rafael

Rafael's Opinion

Although Rafael admitted himself that he was not very knowledgle on the topic of the current state of refugees, he expressed his humble opinion about future hopes that he has.

1. ~20 Million Refugees Worldwide
2. Fairness of Refugee Program
3. Asylees and Refugees

MyReflection