Coming to America

“American Dream” was a term coined by writer and historian James Truslow Adams in his best-selling 1931 book, “Epic of America.” He defined it as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.”

Investopedia’s 2019 definition is that, “The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society where upward mobility is possible for everyone.”

For a long time, the ultimate American dream for many in the Philippines has been to migrate to the United States. Most college graduates aim to come to the U S primarily for economic reasons and also for professional training and advancement.

The exodus of young professionals has resulted in what was referred to as “brain drain,” first coined by the spokesmen for the Royal Society of London to describe the outflow of scientists and technologists to the U.S. and Canada in the 1950’s.

Back in the 60’s, I had mixed feelings about the idea of migrating to the U.S. While it was attractive and enticing, I was not really keen on leaving my home country for greener pastures.

In my last year at the University of Sto. Tomas Medical School, my father told me that upon my graduation, he felt it would be time for him to retire after working as a school teacher for 40 years. He intended to take his retirement money in lump sum to buy me a jeep to use for home visits or for transportation of patients to the hospital when needed. I would serve as the first physician in my hometown.

Three months after our graduation, Ricky, my friend in college, left for the United States. On her first stopover in Honolulu, Hawaii, she sent me a doll with a letter describing the beauty of the place. She continued on to her first assignment at a hospital in Irving, Texas.

Based on her observation, she advised me that the U.S. is not a place for older professionals and that should I decide to migrate, I should do so while I was still young.

While the prospect of migrating to the U.S. was attractive and tempting, my decision was still to stay. Meanwhile, I got married to my longtime boyfriend, Vicman, and together had four children. With the size of our family, let alone both of us having secure jobs in the government, the appeal of migrating faded out.

Vicman was a lawyer employed with the legal department of the Bureau of Customs. I worked at the Bureau of Health Services of the Ministry of Health. Ferdinand, Rino, Vernon, and Dee were all enrolled in Espiritu Santo, a reputable Catholic school in Manila. There really was not enough reason for us to pursue the American dream.

At an unexpected time there was a reorganization in my department and I felt the danger of losing my job. It turned out to be a blessing as I had received a post graduate scholarship leading to a Master’s degree in Public Health. I took the golden opportunity to go to Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem where all expenses were awarded by the government of Israel. In exchange for the one year scholarship grant, I would have to return to my position as medical nutritionist and serve for two more years.

Some of my relatives and my good friend, Ricky, who had already moved to Washington state by then, had invited me to visit the U.S. and Canada. Since I had completed my course, I could take advantage of being outside of my home country and accept their invitation.

It was perfect for me to consider visiting them while the Philippines was under martial law and strict requirements to be able to leave, would mean special permission, if coming directly from the Philippines. The situation presented itself for me to suitably visit Canada, New York, Washington, and California.

My visits and tour of these places were an eye opener for me. I had changed my mind about migrating. I filed my third preference visa application for professionals so that when approved, would allow to take my entire family with me as dependents. In preparation for us to migrate, I planned to go ahead and get settled first, with the rest of the family to follow.

Back in the Philippines, I was able to fulfill my contract as agreed. My decision to be an immigrant was final! Culture shock and adjustment to a new culture and lifestyle would be expected as part of the new immigrants’ experience. However, when I am asked how I feel about having taken the chance to come to America as an immigrant, my resounding answer is always the same: “No regrets.”

Dulce Ruelos is a member of the writing class offered through the Cerritos College Adult Education Program. It is held off-campus at the Norwalk Senior Center.