Log of first time experience - coming to America
Ever since I was a child , I wanted to see America . My first serials was different strokes ,Vicky the robot and on and on . Hollywood movies , foreign cars used to attract me so much that I was more aware of american culture than my own.
And finally the time came in 2015 when my visa was approved and I could come to US to work.
It was an out of the world feeling. Applying journey was long. First the lottery , then selection , and then interview which turned into RFE , and finally stamping.
In 2016 I was working in a decent job with travel opportunities and a good manager. Life was stable but my thoughts weren't. So I decided to leave India and use the VISA. But as luck would have it , my wife was not convinced and my mother's health also deteriorated , I took my resignation back in India and started again.
It was strange feeling to start all together again. As if all my energy was directed to 1 direction and suddenly it was diverted to a different direction. Anyways complete year passed. Life crawled as there was always a question hanging - do you want to go to America.
After much discussion , persuasion with my family I resigned again . All my friends on 1 side supporting my decision and family on the other cursing my decision. What made it worse was my current manager offering my travel opportunities to Thailand , Hungary, UK , Canada - all short term.
My notice period was for 60 days and not a single day passed without me wanting to accept his offer and let go my crazy american dream. And upto last day my manager generosity puzzled me when he said - you can still take your resignation back. "I must have done something good" I think .
Packing bags was another major task , trying to fit whole world in 2- 23 Kgs and 1 7 Kg bag. Ofcourse I went over weight , but emirates did let me in. God Bless them.
Dubai to JFK flight was long and tiring especially when I could not drink alcohol , as I wanted to stay sharp for Port of Entry interview. Flight was stable and service good as always. I do recommend them for long haul flights .
Anyone could see anxiety on my face as I was queued up in interview line , fiddling with my papers , jacket ,bags , passport. There was an CBP officer who gave me a good stare and secretly hoped I dont have to face him out of 6 terminals. Next Moment Iam in front of him !! somehow line got distributed and I was standing lucky or unlucky before him.
He asked me my visa type and finger print scans . I was waiting for questions and interrogation to happen . Suddenly he said - you may go ! Just like that . that's it. I thought of running away as soon as possible if he might change his mind.
Sigh of relief as I was walking towards exit ,when i got pulled over for bag checking . It was fairly detailed but as I was basking in glory it all went well. I think one of the reasons my POE interview went well was Formals.I was wearing them from last 24 hours and all crease was done for in 13 hours flight , but it still worked. My tip to all aspirants - apart from confidence and paper work , wear formals .
my first dollars was spent on chocolate doughnut and coffee on airport. Weather was clear , windy and feeling was wonderful. Though we got traffic jam on NY - NJ bridge link , but i was not bored looking at cars , trucks and roads.
Matrix sim card thankfully worked which I bought in India and I called up dear near ones and also my going to be manager here.
First phase of coming here is over . Its been a week jet lag itself took 3 days to get over.
Now to the second phase and new challenge.I will post it upcoming weeks.
