September 12, 2025/Midnight
When you hear the phrase “the American Dream,” what comes to mind? For many, it is the promise of freedom, opportunities, success, wealth, and a life of peace and stability. Those ideas were ingrained into my imagination from an early age – shaped by the media, movies, and the stories people around me used to share.
Right up until the day of my flight, my head was still full of bright, colorful images of a free life I had always dreamed of. I could not really picture what was waiting for me after that. But the moment I stepped off the plane in the U.S, a wave of unfamiliarity surrounded me –no familiar places, no familiar faces, just me, trying to figure it all out on my own.
The first few days were a blur – blurred with tears. Erie is a peaceful city, but at times it felt too quiet. I missed the lively and bustling energy of the city where I grew up. I missed the thrill of riding my motorbike through crowded streets and the simple joy of pulling into a random food stall for breakfast.
But more than anything, I miss my family and friends back in Vietnam. As someone who likes to cherish moments with loved ones, the sense of loneliness in a foreign land feels even heavier.
The rosy picture I once held of my life quickly faded into tears. At times, I could not help but question my decision – was I really heading in the right direction?
But, for the first time in 21 years, I found myself standing in a kitchen, trying to cook despite never having lifted a pan before. For the first time, I had to navigate the unfamiliar rhythm of an independent life. I learned how to create small pockets of joy for myself, just to ease the weight of loneliness. I began calculating every expense with care, realizing how fragile balance could be. I trained my mind to think and respond in my second language. And there were countless other firsts that followed.
Slowly, I began to see the “Dream” differently. The “American Dream” is not a destination painted in rosy colors of success and wealth, not everyone can attain that. Yet, from my perspective, the “American Dream” is a journey – one that demands effort, resilience, and faith with every step, and it gives the dream its true meaning.
The American Dream offers you the chance to be free – not confined by familiar frameworks or the protective shelter of family. It is also an opportunity to gradually shape your own dream, one built from individual experiences, from stumbles and recoveries, from the ability to adapt to an entirely new environment. And over time, you come to realize that this very journey is the core value of the American Dream.
