Balance Higher Education Thesis

Raphael's Immigration

Student: Joseph Yoon Instructor: Dr. Thompson

11/07/24

His Background

Specifics

1. Korean-born American citizen

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

2. 17 Year old Immigrant

Immigrated to the US when he was 17 years old

3. US Citizen for 44 years

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

4. Parents' Decision

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

What does immigration mean to you?

Naturalization

Definition

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

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

Q1

Difficulty

Relatively easy, compared to some other countries

Q3

Practices

Level of sense of belonging relies on many different factors

Q2

Relationship

Positive changes and a more powerful passport.

Q4

Impact

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

• "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."

Chapter 4.3.4 Bilingualism

Impact of Bilingualism

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

Bilingual Education

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

Mixed-Status Families

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

*Bilingualism is an Advantage*

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

*A Benefit in Career Development*

*Fortunate Family*

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

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

Refugees and Asylees

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.

Information I Shared with Rafael

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

MyReflection