The Immigrant Academy Blog
Helpful resources and information for aspiring immigrants, new arrivals, and community building.
10 new things you will discover in the US as an immigrant
If you’re dreaming or planning on moving to the US at some point in life, you gotta read this. And if you’re in the US, you should still read this and correct me if I’m wrong. I quickly realized that the US of A was painted very differently to me because my only points of references were American movies and sitcoms. Little did I know life in US as an immigrant is as tough as it can get. Especially if you’re entire family is back in your home country and you are trying to get back on your foot in a new country.
Successful Desi women in the US with Unconventional careers
Whenever another Desi asks what do I do for a living, I see this puzzled look on their face for a brief second when I reveal my career choice. I’m a Marketing Specialist in the corporate world and I thoroughly my field of work. I wouldn’t be lying if I said, I’ve been offered to sway into the Tech field just so that the Desis feel I’m one of them. And then I have to explain that I actually love what I do and I’m not in the field of Marketing and Advertising because of adversity. I studied in Pharmacy school before I did my Masters in Business Adminsitration – the thought of spending the next 40 years as a pharmacy tech still gives me jjitters. To be honest, for South Asian or Desi standards, if you’re not a doctor, engineer or lawyer you’ve taken an offbeat path.
America’s top 10 Desi women in Tech
The first name that comes to mind when you think of Indian origin CEO is Indra Nooyi, ex PepsiCo. She was our generation’s role model as a successful Desi woman in her corporate career, as a daughter, mother, wife and mentor – she wore various hats and still shone like ever. In the last two decades we’ve seen women rise to new heights in their career specially in the Corporate, Tech and Entrepreneurial world.
Popular Desi celebrities in the US
The dearth of Desi representation in American Cinema, TV, Arts and Literature was quite the norm back in the day. Desi kids growing up would search for that role model who looked like them. Fast forward to the 2000’s we have Desi women making remarkable contributions in their fields, bringing pride and fame to our home countries and making up for role models to our future generations.
Unofficial but fun holidays celebrated in USA
In the United States, you may not get as many holidays as you would get back in the South east Asian countries but they do have something widely celebrated and less known days with a reason to celebrate. Be sure to mark these special dates on your calendar –
7 Apps to download for millennial women
If you’re looking for one app in each of the following categories, let me help me you behen (sistah).
I have you covered for listening to music, quick home workout, money management, taking important notes, tracking your period, scanning documents and changing phone wallpapers
Annoying Desi Habits To Get Rid Of
It would be safe to say that 90% of my friends are Desis. In all these years I’ve seen generations of Desi families/individuals depict peculiar behaviors which is considered pretty normal in the Desi community. But what’s considered purely innocent is considered annoying by non-desis. I got a hint of this when I started observing my fellow Desi friends with the help of an outsider’s perspective. When you live abroad, you start picking up the mannerisms and etiquettes but some Desi habits die hard.
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