My First Encounters In the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave (with updates)

Originally published on January 23, 2014, my 40th anniversary of entering the shores of America. This morning's Facebook Memories highlighted this article which I thought is appropriate given the current climate in the country. Republished with updates and the comments (worth reading) from the original post.

POINTS TO PONDER:

“No matter what your background, no matter how low your station in life, there must be no limit on your ability to reach for the stars, to go as far as your God-given talents will take you. Trust the people; believe every human being is capable of greatness, capable of self-government . . . only when people are free to worship, create, and build, only when they are given a personal stake in deciding their destiny and benefiting from their own risks, only then do societies become dynamic, prosperous, progressive, and free.”  ― Ronald Reagan, An American Life

STORY LINE: 43 Years since arriving in the Land of the Free and The Home of the Brave (and also what I had known as the land of Gregory Peck, Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn, Sidney Poitier and Raquel Welch)

On January 22nd 1974, my colleague PG and I set foot on the shores of America in Los Angeles International Airport. Our Japan Airlines (JAL) flight was delayed due to mechanical troubles and arrived late in the evening. We went to the only open food place at the airport (in those days there were not many) and inquired “We are very hungry, what food do you have?” The guy said “Only thing I got left is a hot dog.” Coming from strict vegetarian families we were in total shock. “Hot Dog?” We had heard that in America, they ate cows. But Dogs? Yuck! We turned around and left.

The next thing I did was to call the phone number of the USC foreign students office. Since it was late the phone was directed to the university security guard. I informed him that we had just arrived in USA and wanted to find out if there was a pick-up service. The guy said “Take the number 8 to downtown.” We thought we were already in town and were thoroughly confused by his instructions. So I used the SOS instructions that were given to us before we left India. I called my uncle in Anaheim who picked us up after a few hours.

The following day, we went to the USC foreign students’ office. The head of the foreign students office was Mr. Khetrapal, an immigrant from the northern part of India. While roaming around in the office, we met Saeed, also a new foreign student from Iran. We hit it off well and decided to be roommates. That afternoon, we found an apartment just across the campus. From his accent, the owner Mr. Kinarthi did not seem to be Amercian and on further inquiry told us that he was from Russia. I was wondering where Gregory and Sidney and of course, Audrey and Raquel could be hiding.

On our third day, we were moving to our new apartment. My Anaheim uncle who worked in the city of Compton, dropped us at the bus stop near his office. Early in the morning we were still drowsy and waiting at the bus stop with all our bags and backpacks. Suddenly a van came zooming in near the bus stop. Most of the people who were waiting with us started running shouting in some strange language. Two guys in suits and ties jumped out of the van. One of them approached PG and the other one came towards me showing me a badge with his picture and some strange emblem on it that said, “Immigration.” I extended my hand to him and said “Anand Shah” and told him, “you do not need to show me your picture, I trust you.” I was wondering why Americans have such strange way of introducing themselves until PG who had paid more attention told me “Show him your passport and USC ID card before he throws you in to that cage in the back of his van.”

That semester, USC had launched a new degree program in the area of Semiconductor Physics and Processing. It seemed to me that it was “A Road Not Taken (by many)” which meant learning new things and also chances of discovering (getting) new degree faster, I signed up. I had two other classmates in that inaugural semester, Pradyuman Patel- the guy from my home town I had never met before and Way-Seen Wang, a student from Taiwan. Coincidence or what but very first class, an elective, that I attended, the teacher was Professor Hwan Sha Ho.

That was my first week in the Land of The Free and The Home of The Brave. I had yet to meet Gregory Peck, Sean Connery, Sydney Poitier and of course My Fair Lady Audrey Hepburn and 100 Rifles leading lady Raquel Welch.

 REFLECTION

During the second week I met Professors Steir and Andrews and Whelan and Crowell which reconfirmed why I had come to America. Over the next several months, I met people from many different cultures and countries and started realizing the true power of this land. The people from all over the world come here and bring with them their rich cultural heritage, ideas, opinions, and cuisines, and not to forget to the original inhabitants of this country who have a very rich cultural heritage of their own.

The past 43 years have been so fulfilling and enriching with the experiences I had in meeting some of the most creative, brilliant people from all over the world and witnessing the power of unlimited creativity and resulting innovations.

I realized that: Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common and to Celebrate it every day.

So looking back, I end this reflection with that Sherman brother’s song in Disneyland..

“There is so much that we share that it is time we are aware, it is a small world after all.”

 

 

Comments

[Comments from original post:]

Comments in the original post

It's a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing your history and historic photo.
I believe that Andrew Vitterbi (co-founder of Qualcomm) was also at USC studying semiconductor physics, since there is now a "Vitterbi School of Engineering" there. It was however 10+ years before you arrived, I guess. If only you had been born 10 years earlier, perhaps we would now have the "Anand Shah School of Engineering" at USC? :-)
Funny about those "dogs" you encountered.
Here is a silly joke about hot dogs that I heard recently.
** A Zen master visiting New York City goes up to a hot dog vendor and says,
** "Make me one with everything, please."
** The hot dog vendor fixes a hot dog and hands it to the Zen master, who pays with a $20 bill.
** The vendor puts the bill in the cash box and closes it.
** "Excuse me, but where’s my change?" asks the Zen master.
** The (enlightened) vendor responds,
** "Change must come from within."
Posted by: micro CEO | January 24, 2014 at 12:58 AM

Wonderful story... thank you for sharing!
Posted by: BHSC | January 24, 2014 at 06:07 AM

Congratulations on 40 years of rich life experience in US.
It was so vivid to read your story feeling I was there as well, very different 40 years ago, and the world seems a little smaller now.
Posted by: sizzling in Shanghai | January 24, 2014 at 06:10 AM

I enjoyed this one a lot! It sounds like Part 1 of a great story....
Posted by: Green Vibrance | January 24, 2014 at 07:23 AM

One of the things I have always loved about working here is meeting people from all over, learning about their origins, and hearing all the wonderful accents. It’s like being a world traveler without ever leaving home. I think being immersed in this mixture makes us more tolerant and accepting of differences, and more likely to pass it on.
Posted by: AZ friend | January 24, 2014 at 07:39 AM

The end of "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost has a terrific ending:
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Posted by: Mark Dennen | January 24, 2014 at 08:16 AM

I love this story. I’ve heard it several times, and I still love hearing it
Posted by: Still loving it | January 24, 2014 at 08:33 AM

Thank you Anand for the great sharing! 
Posted by: Shenzen Friend | January 24, 2014 at 08:36 AM

great post: engaging, funny, kind, - also, lots of shared memories for those of us who came as newcomers to this country, albeit, at diffrent times...
Posted by: alex | January 24, 2014 at 08:54 AM

Very nice and humorous story, Anand. Thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Reddy M | January 24, 2014 at 09:21 AM

and who was the first movie star you witnessed face to face? great story.
Posted by: KEW | January 24, 2014 at 10:25 AM

Wonderful story Anand. I’ve always said that is what makes America so great. It is the most diverse country in the world. Walk around New York for 10 minutes and you’ll hear 20 different languages.
That picture of yourself embarking on your journey is great!
Posted by: JK | January 24, 2014 at 11:30 AM

Good article! I laughed when I read the hot dog story.  Congratulations on your 40th anniversary in the land of the free! This year will be my 30th.
Posted by: SC: Fan | January 24, 2014 at 11:32 AM

Nice one. Definitely world is getting smaller and smaller/diverse. Good people are good regardless of the island / origin they come from.
MS.
Posted by: MS | January 24, 2014 at 12:25 PM

Hmmm
If you came here for college in 74’ then how can you be just 48. Hope you had a wonderful holiday with the family and yourself
Posted by: KW | January 24, 2014 at 03:23 PM

Great story Anand! Thank u so much for sharing this!!! Miss ya!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 24, 2014 at 08:13 PM

Thanks for sharing your experience of going to a new country. I cannot forget the night I arrived at Japan with another Chinese student 19 years ago. It was snowing heavily, we were so lucky that our professors and chair of Chinese student association of the college waited for us at the train station and sent us to the visitors house of the college, we stayed there for 2 nights before finding an apartment. Thanks to the people helped me, will remember them forever.
Posted by: Zhicong | January 25, 2014 at 06:02 AM

Love my dad - 40 years in this country and he took the road less traveled. And that's made all the difference in his life
"That semester, USC had launched a new degree program in the area of Semiconductor Physics and Processing. It seemed to me that it was 'A Road Not Taken' (by many) and a faster way of getting a degree"
Posted by: Analisa | January 25, 2014 at 06:08 AM

Anand,
Thanks of a lot of wonderful story, I can see you of 40 years ago, just arrived at LA.
Posted by: Yoshinaga | January 26, 2014 at 10:35 PM

Anand,
Thanks! Your vivid old story always brings something new to me.
Posted by: Thank You from TPE | January 27, 2014 at 01:35 AM

Anand,
Thank you for sharing the wonderful and vivid story as always, enlighting and engouraging. The Blue Ocien Strategy then was to select the Semiconductor Physics and Processing.
Posted by: Japan friend | January 28, 2014 at 12:54 AM

Very nice story. It reminds me of my first time arriving in the US. I was 15 at the time and came by myself. I slept the whole way (well, woke up for food in b/w) and later went to the immigration counter to explain my visit. I learnt limited English at the time, so before he questioned me, I just said “My name is ...., I’m 15 years old, I came to visit my mother and I don’t speak English very well” The African American guy giggled for a few seconds and let me pass. While I was waiting for my luggage another African American guy helped me drag my suitcases from the belt onto cart, I don’t remember how he looked, but a big bright smile. I pushed my cart down the hallway and followed the crowd until an African American lady checked my boarding pass and sent me to a different exit (most of the people are on connecting flight, but mine was direct) and there was my mom waiving at me. It’s not as adventurous as yours, but that was my first impression of America – people are soooooo nice.
Posted by: Good Friend | January 28, 2014 at 09:52 AM

Thanks Anand- for bringing back some wonderful memories of my first days@ UTK. Standing on Kingston pike 3 things stuck me- No horns, cars actually stopped for me to cross the road, and folks entered the bus in a line vs. climbing all over each other.
On my 3rd day we went to McD- and a new friend wearing a “ Kurta (long tunic) and chappal (open sandals)- did not come in because the sign said” shirt and shoes required". I made my first Thai friend here- Noppavan Tanpipat. Growing up in India- and esp in St. Joseph's, I had met girls from other states. But- here I made friends from Poland, Tunisia and Portugal. From Andrew the Pol) I learnt- that warm beer w/ Cloves and cinnamon will treat most ailments - But I also learnt not to make fun of the fact that he eats Cow stomach- because growing up- at times that was the only affordable meat for his family. I learnt to find humor in curious questions from my neighbors’ teenage daughter- Do they have elephants on the street? No. Just cows.
My professor said to me ” Madhuri- In this country.. we s.p.e.a.k like this- implying that I was speaking too fast. – But also told me- my English was real English” and that in the US- they spoke American :)Each person I met- embraced my culture- to the extent- that when Ravi proposed- Dr. Van Hook, actually invited him and his parents over for dinner- to ‘ensure that this was the right guy’. Dale- my roommate of 5 years- made sure we bought Salt and Oil on separate days, because that is what we did in India.
I just read the book 2 States" by Chetan Bhagat- and it reminded me of really how much diversity was NOT appreciated when I was growing up.
I was in India last month- and countless times- found myself saying “ back Home.. we do this and that”. I thank my mom for having the courage to send me here to study- against all extended family wishes. I am indeed blessed to call this country my home.
And- I met Cameron Diaz at LAX last March.
Posted by: madhuri | January 28, 2014 at 10:51 AM

Thanks for taking us back in time. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.
Posted by: Bobby | February 10, 2014 at 09:06 AM

This reminds me of my stay in Germany 14 years ago. My very first international trip – which I had to fly from Penang  KL  Bangkok  Amsterdam  Germany. When I collected my stack of flight tickets from German Embassy (the research was funded by German government) at KL, I had no clue at all how to fly international, go thru all the gates, terminals, immigration counters etc.. and, I had to fly alone. It was on Apr 1st and I always remember that April’s fool day on Millennium year (Y2000). I landed at a country that I knew very little of their language/culture. Besides German, I met people from China, Poland, UK, Czech, Italian, Taiwan, Japan etc…can’t forget all the good people out there that have helped me throughout the whole journey. A poor student back then was able to travel from west to east Germany, backpack in Italy on very lean budget, no cellphone, no internet, only with 1 guide book on hand…
Lots of interesting stories…shall talk to you more next time when we meet. 
Enjoy your Kitaro concert!
Posted by: KFC | February 14, 2014 at 07:22 AM

Nicely written, like a scene from a movie, Anand. While I was reading it, I could imagine you and your friend PG living it! Ofcourse it shows your funny and cheerful personality too. :)
Posted by: Laxa | March 14, 2014 at 04:45 PM

[Anand]

To KEW
The first movie star I met FTF was Richard Chamberlin from Thorn Birds. Very humble man.
Still waiting to meet Sydney, Sean and Rachel.

[alex]

In 1994, I came to America, state of Tennessee. Coming from Germany, it was great cultural shock. I decided that trying some familiar food and drinks could help to alleviate, a little bit, this feeling of being complete stranger in the unknown part of the world.
That is why, I went to the grocery shop to buy a beer, a familiar German commodity. And indeed, I found one-and for the great price! – something called “root beer”.
Should I mention that after tasting this strange drink, which American called beer, my cultural shock reached almost unbearable level?

[Love Thy Neighbor]

Nic article. Captures well what makes this country great and at the same time why it is so important to continue to cultivate that. Thanks for sharing

[BHSC]

Great story… and as always, wonderfully written and full of wisdom.

Thank you!!

[Shawn M.]

Very beautiful start and story in the country Anand- cheers to 43 years and beyond!
Your humble beginnings are reminiscent to my own parent’s story of coming to America from Mexico at young ages. Stories like yours and my parents have always empowered me growing up and still do, to do whatever I dream of and that it’s very possible.
What a beautiful country to be able to have those limitless opportunities.

[oregonian]

I really enjoyed reading this again, very timely. In that particular photo you look a bit like a Russian immigrant in that hat.

[IlliniGrad]

A very timely reminder of what makes this country such a special place, with cultures melding together over time and building something new that everyone can participate in.

[Analisa]

"America is Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers and George Washington Carver. America is Grace Hopper and Katherine Johnson and Sally Ride. America is every immigrant and entrepreneur from Boston to Austin to Silicon Valley, racing to shape a better world. That's who we are." - President Obama said it best. Immigrants helped build and shape this country and have a large influence in society.

[Vincent]

Great story! Love the message of diversity.
You should consider making a movie for this story :), America needs it!