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COMING TO AMERICA

“Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free / The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, / Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: / I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

—Emma Lazarus (1849-1887), poet

(poem inscribed at the foot of the Statue of Liberty)

Reflections

How far have you traveled to come to the United States? Share your experiences and learn more about your conversation partners or classmates.

1. What’s your native country? How long did you live there?

2. Are there many immigrants from your native country? Why?

3. Are there certain areas where immigrants from your country often live?

4. What makes your state attractive to new immigrants?

5. How long have you been in the United States?

6. Who are some famous refugees who found safety and success in the U.S.?

7. Can you think of prominent Asian immigrants? Russian? European? Hispanic?

8. Can you identify some successful immigrant artists, filmmakers, or musicians?

9. What are some ways that immigrants have contributed to the American economy?

10. How does an immigrant become a citizen in your native country?

11. What are some legal differences between citizens, guest workers, and illegal immigrants in your country of origin?

12. In your homeland, how old do you have to be to drink alcohol? Buy it? In the U.S.?

13. What differences have you noticed in driving habits or traffic laws?

14. When do bars/clubs usually close in your native country? Do you think American bars close early?

15. Do many people like to smoke at work in your native country? Can children buy cigarettes there?

Vocabulary

Choose the words you know. Ask your partner or teacher for the meanings of the other words.

tradition | taboo | refugee | immigrant | passport

consent | allegiance | requirement | prominent citizen

forbidden | consequence | citizenship

melting pot | naturalized

Proverbs

Read these common sayings and proverbs. Can you add two more?

Anything can happen.

Only in America.

The Conversation Continues

1. Is gambling popular in your native country? Is it legal? Where?

2. Is spanking your child legal? Can teachers spank or “tap” children?

3. Do children have to attend school? Do they have to wear uniforms?

4. At what age may people marry? What’s the age of consent in your native country?

5. Can you compare the laws about marriage, divorce, and raising children?

6. What about guns? Are there any differences? Who can buy guns?

7. Can you compare the laws for violent criminals? What about capital punishment?

8. What are some common crimes in your native country? The U.S.?

9. Can you think of any silly or bad laws there? Here?

10. Can you think of some smart or good laws there? Here?

11. What are other differences between laws in your country and here?

12. Have you read or seen any negative consequences of this law? Can you give an example?

13. What are some taboos in your native country? What is socially forbidden? Why?

14. What traditions do you appreciate from your native country?

15. What traditions or values do you hope your children will keep? Why?

16. How do traditions change? Can you give an example?

17. What American traditions do you like or want to adopt? Why?

18. Do you see America as more of a melting pot or a salad? Why?

19. What are some benefits of American citizenship? Disadvantages?

20. What are the citizenship requirements? What do you think they should be? Why?

21. Are you an American citizen? Do you plan to become one? Why?

Discussing Quotations

Read each quotation aloud, pick your favorites, and discuss them with your conversation partner or group.

1. “The bosom of America is open to receive not only the opulent and respectable stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all nations and religions.”

—George Washington (1732-1799), 1st U.S President

2. “The mission of the United States is one of benevolent assimilation.”

—William McKinley (1843-1901), 25th U.S. President

3. “Old or young, healthy as a horse or a person with a disability that hasn’t kept you down, man or woman, Native American, native born, immigrant, straight or gay – whatever; the test ought to be: I believe in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. I believe in religious liberty. I believe in freedom of speech. I believe in working hard and playing by the rules. That ought to be the test.”

—Bill Clinton (1946-), 42nd U.S. President

4. “Americanism is a question of principle, of idealism, of character: it is not a matter of birthplace or creed or line of descent.”

—Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), 26th U.S. President

5. “God bless America, Land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her, Through the night with a light from above.”

—Irving Berlin (1888-1989), composer

6. “America is God’s Crucible, the great Melting-Pot where all the races of Europe are melting and reforming!”

—Israel Zangwill (1864-1926), playwright who wrote The Melting Pot

7. “Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, or a new country.”

—Anaïs Nin, (1903-1977), writer

8. “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. “

—John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), 35th U.S. President

9. “I came over here as an immigrant, and what gave me the opportunities, what made me, is the open arms of Americans. I have been received. I have been adopted by America.”

—Arnold Schwarzenegger (1947-), California Governor

10. “America needs new immigrants to love and cherish it.”

—Eric Hoffer (1902-1983), writer

On Your Own

What advice would you give a new immigrant or international student about the United States? Write a short essay and share your thoughts.