HispanicEssayICS18TOR

Many people in this world face very difficult times in their lives. A large amount of those people are immigrants. Immigrants can come to the U.S and their lives improve instantly, or they may have a hard time getting settled in America. Saul Torres, my Dad, was almost right between there. Living in America, Torres had a lot of accomplishments. He worked hard and got a degree in dentistry, started his own business, and finished his family. But first, he had to face a few challenges.

First, I would like to introduce my father. His name is Saul Torres. He was born in the country of Colombia in South America. Torres decided to pursue a dental career and attended the University of Cartagena, where he received his first Dentist Degree in 1989. (Saul Torres DMD PA) He then worked as a dentist in Cartagena before deciding to move to America. He moved into an apartment with family friends in Chicago, Illinois. Those family friends helped him get through a difficult time in the United States of America. Torres was later accepted into the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, also known as Penn University, a well known Ivy League School. It was an amazing achievement for an immigrant who didn't know much English and was new to this country. He graduated in 2003. This was one of his greatest achievements in America. Torres later moved to Tampa, Florida, where he has been practicing general dentistry for the past 11 years.

Many people who move to America were professionals in their home country. (Rodriguez) They could be well known lawyers, doctor, dentists, etc. But when these people come to America, they may realize that only after they get here, it's going to be a difficult time for them. In this country, to be a dentist, you must have a degree in dentistry from this country. That alone is a hassle. Many struggle with the language barrier, leaving their family and friends in their home country, and not knowing almost everybody there.(Pearl) My Dad faced all of these problems. The most difficult one for him was having to leave his family and moving to a foreign country. It is also difficult for immigrants to find a job without knowing a lot of English, but that was not the case for Torres. By the time Torres was starting his own business in Tampa, he knew enough English to not have a problem communicating with only English speakers. He also had the advantage of having a degree, which helped him get a part-time job working as a dentist in another business. But my Dad didn't just come to America to work. He came to America for a better life as many immigrants do. He came so his children could have more of an advantage in their education here than in Colombia. (Saul Torres' Life)

Over time, Saul Torres' life became calmer and easier. However, he didn't want to spend the rest of his life in an apartment in Chicago. Chicago was cold half of the year and too crowded.He wanted more sun, more happiness. So he decided to take his then four-person family down to live in sunny Florida. Originally, he wanted to settle down in Orlando, but my parents found it too quiet and lonely. So my parents kept driving to Tampa Florida, where they have been living since 2004. They had a third child and if felt as if their life was complete. Torres had a great house, friendly neighbors, and healthy kids. His life was better than ever. After about 8 years, Torres resigned from his second job and began working full-time in his own business. In my interview with him, he said one of his favorite things about America is "Being able to start your own business". He became more comfortable without his family and friends from Cartagena, but he still was in contact with them almost every day. Even with three children, the Torres family wasn't complete. They added a new member to the family, a 3 month old puppy. From that time, life has been great for the Torres family. Saul works hard every day to keep his family thriving.

Saul Torres has worked hard to support his family. He attended University for the second time, worked two jobs in a week, and moved to Tampa for a better quality of life. Working hard for over 15 years, Torres has had life better than most immigrants. He overcame all of the problems many immigrants face, and by a long shot. He came to this country for a better life,and he sure did complete that goal. I am very proud of what my father has completed in this country and how he overcame obstacles in the United States.

Works Cited:

 "Pearl, Cathy. "Challenges Immigrants Face." //Challenges Immigrants Face//. EdHelper.com, 2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. .
 * I chose this website because it provides good information and I feel that it is true because my father faced all of these problems.

"Rodriguez, Marvin. "Finding a Job: A Big Problem for New Immigrants." //Silver International Newspaper//. Fortune DJenonyombaye, 2002. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. .
 * I chose this website because a lot of good information about finding a job as an immigrant is provided in this article. The information in this article matches the information in others, s it is true.

"Saul Torres' Life after Facing Difficulties." Personal interview. 20 Apr. 2016.
 * first-person interview with my father.

"Torres, Saul. "SAUL TORRES D.M.D., P.A - About Dr. Torres." //SAUL TORRES D.M.D., P.A//. © SAUL TORRES D.M.D., P.A, 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. .
 * I know this is a valid source of information because Saul Torres wrote it.