Iowa: In the eyes of an immigrant! ( In dubuque ) (Ames: real estate, insurance)

[Southside Shrek]

Originally Posted by S.Asian

Actually I go to Loras College and there are 20 students from my country and we all share the same odd experiences.

You shouldn't feel alone or isolated if you have 20 of your fellow countrymen there at Loras College. Maybe you have been walking into places in a group of 21 Nepalese speaking a strange dialect and that caused people to stare.

[3110happy]

I think we all come to a new environment with "what we know, what we are use to." You must understand that you will find people w/ less than stellar personalities all over the USA.
What I find most alarming about your comments is the manner in which you insult the state of Iowa. Not everyone is like what you portray. You need to make the effort to get outside of your box. Perhaps moving to Iowa City or Ames would be more comfortable as the international population is more abundant in these towns.

I am just really tired of people moving into Iowa and then immediately slamming the state. If you don't like it, leave. Iowa has so much to offer and while it is not a cosmopolitan mecca, you should know that b/4 you move to Iowa.

You made the crack about people not knowing where Nepal is. Do you know absolutely everything about the entire state of Iowa, its history, where the richest soil is, where the levees are highest on the Mississippi River are? Perhaps if someone asked you the same questions and you could not answer them, they would think you were an idiot.

Foreigners need to have a little dignity and restraint when they come to America to get an education. You are sitting in someone else's slot who didn't get into college so you could. You have the seat that could have belonged to a student who was born/raised in Iowa, but couldn't afford to go to school.

The next time you decide to bash a state that you have moved to, maybe you should look at the opportunities you have been given to get an education there.

If your country is so great - why aren't you getting an education there? So many of you foreigners come to our country, get an education,and then bash it when you leave. When I was at ISU the Iranian students had all but taken over the Memorial Union - that is a Memorial to all the men and women who fought in the World Wars to protect this great country.

Think again before you spew your hatred about Iowa. A lot of us our very proud of the state. Maybe its time they clamped down on how many international students they allow in.

[Southside Shrek]

I believe that I read the literacy rate in Nepal is about 20% and I know for sure that the good people of the Hawkeye State are a whole lot better than that. when I was there I never encountered anyone who was illiterate.

Go Hawkeyes!!!!

[MattDen]

Im sorry about your experiences in Iowa, I live in the state next to you Nebraska and I have to agree the people are very close-minded but its not you, its them and you cant change other people's ignorance easily.

Its their loss, when you leave Iowa and go to a more welcoming place it will seem all the better and you will enjoy the next place you move even more.

Without unfriendly, unwelcoming, unattractive places it would hard to enjoy the places that are friendly, welcoming and attractive.

[MattDen]

Originally Posted by 3110happy

I am just really tired of people moving into Iowa and then immediately slamming the state. If you don't like it, leave. Iowa has so much to offer and while it is not a cosmopolitan mecca, you should know that b/4 you move to Iowa.

You made the crack about people not knowing where Nepal is. Do you know absolutely everything about the entire state of Iowa, its history, where the richest soil is, where the levees are highest on the Mississippi River are? Perhaps if someone asked you the same questions and you could not answer them, they would think you were an idiot.

Think again before you spew your hatred about Iowa. A lot of us our very proud of the state. Maybe its time they clamped down on how many international students they allow in.

I think Mount Everest is much more researched and widely known then any thing in Iowa.

Gotta love the if you dont like it, leave mentality of this part of the midwest from Denver to Chicago (including Iowa) with the excpetion being Minnesota (where they actually have a metropolitan area with fun stuff!). I guess the "if you dont like it leave mentality" is the reason why Iowa is lacking on amenities and is a very stagnant state. Its funny how Iowans think that all good ideas are born and bred in Iowa and people have no credability if they are not from there.

I am just wondering what does Iowa have to offer other then Des Moines is good if you work in the insurance industry or the pedestrian mall in Iowa City or the casino's in Council Bluffs. Other then those four places in Iowa, Iowa is only good for a hog or a cattle.

I have been all over the state of Iowa and other then the few square miles of mainly insurance companies in Downtown Des Moines, a few square miles of industry in West Des Moines, some casino's in the bluffs and a few block pedestrian mall where the University of Iowa is the state really has nothing else to draw people in or interest them. Oh wait, maybe the Iowa caucus every 4 years.

I for one have to admit I would much prefer to be around International students from other countries that have something to talk about other then the university football team and hog prices

[S.Asian]

That was pretty thoughtful reply ,eh? Insult? Bash? You accusing me of insulting Iowa and starting to bash Iowa 'immediately' ? FYI, I've been living here since January 2005 so better think twice before slamming me for being an International student and for the opportunity to study here and it can be illustrated by you and your mentality that resembles my feelings towards the people who've got prejudices towards foreigners. What do you know about Nepal 31..? Anything except Mt. Everest? Ever heard about how people treat foreigners no matter how ignorant "they" are? And for god's sake don't start up with Iowa and it's geography. I can take you on Iowa's geography anytime, wanna bet? I don't just go to school for business, I'm smart enough to have done all the studyings in classes and on my own, not only about the location, but geography, demography and the diversity. I wonder if you were on an overdose of coffee at 11 am when you were reading my posts as I don't think that I was slamming Iowa in the manner as you thought that I really was. I posted this thread to ask for suggestions from fellow iowans to cope with the prejudices and other unpleasant situations on several occasions. Yorkie_mom and co have been of much help and came up with suggestions to make my stay better unlike you who slammed me. What were you up to when you were reading my message in which I clearly said that regardless of all the odd occasions, I love Iowa? I won't say anymore. But before I leave I'd like to say something, you truly resemble yet another Iowan who seems to be fairly educated to spell words and write properly but like some of them , you clearly don't have any friendliness in your tone. I wish not to meet someone like you while I'd stay here. Don't bother replying please coz you're misinterpreting my love for Iowa by quoting my words in a negative manner. Thanks for the suggestions of moving to Iowa city though. Grad school @ Hawkeyes maybe???? Loved every moment spent there in the few occasions that I've been there.

[S.Asian]

Originally Posted by Southside Shrek

I believe that I read the literacy rate in Nepal is about 20% and I know for sure that the good people of the Hawkeye State are a whole lot better than that. when I was there I never encountered anyone who was illiterate.

Go Hawkeyes!!!!

I don't think that you're a 60 plus person as it's been over 40 years since Nepal's literacy rate used to be 20% It's about 65 % these days and almost forgot to reply, I don't go out with a bunch of Nepalese I hardly go out with Nepalese as I hang out with Americans most of the time and one more thing, upon an enquiry that I made about Purdue Uni., I found that my cousin's close friend goes to school there and I'm doing some more research. I might perhaps head that way for my Grad School if I didn't to go to Hawkeyes!!!

[S.Asian]

Originally Posted by MattDen

I think Mount Everest is much more researched and widely known then any thing in Iowa.

Gotta love the if you dont like it, leave mentality of this part of the midwest from Denver to Chicago (including Iowa) with the excpetion being Minnesota (where they actually have a metropolitan area with fun stuff!). I guess the "if you dont like it leave mentality" is the reason why Iowa is lacking on amenities and is a very stagnant state. Its funny how Iowans think that all good ideas are born and bred in Iowa and people have no credability if they are not from there.

I am just wondering what does Iowa have to offer other then Des Moines is good if you work in the insurance industry or the pedestrian mall in Iowa City or the casino's in Council Bluffs. Other then those four places in Iowa, Iowa is only good for a hog or a cattle.

I have been all over the state of Iowa and other then the few square miles of mainly insurance companies in Downtown Des Moines, a few square miles of industry in West Des Moines, some casino's in the bluffs and a few block pedestrian mall where the University of Iowa is the state really has nothing else to draw people in or interest them. Oh wait, maybe the Iowa caucus every 4 years.

I for one have to admit I would much prefer to be around International students from other countries that have something to talk about other then the university football team and hog prices

I truly appreciate your words and wise words. Wish I encountered people with similar thoughts most of the time. I sometimes miss the days of working at a gas station where people first showed some kind of prejudices but after getting to know me for a while they'd leave the comments such as "we want more nice people like you working and living in Iowa" . Thanks again.

[trishinca]

I guess I'd better contribute to this one, being as how I was raised in Iowa also. When I went to grade school through high school, I never saw a person of color, until my last year when I went to Des Moines for a few months and saw, gasp, Puerto Ricans. (Remember West Side Story?) I was naiive, and shy, but felt curiosity, not hatred. The main difference in people, you will find, is where you meet them, and probably, their age. As you get older and out more (definitely leave Iowa soon, if for no other reason than the weather), you will find enlightened people who like you because you are unique. Colleges students should be more enlightened, but, drinking students are not at their brightest, and brings out the worst. Have you tried any churches? I'm not sure people will not stare, but they should be more thoughtful. I left Iowa in 1964, and came back after 30 years. I felt like I stepped into a time warp. Maybe it's because if people never move anywhere else, they stagnate. I love the liberal attitudes of the bigger towns and states like Arizona and California. The locals in states that are bombarded by 'new people' get used to strangers and get better at 'acceptance'. You just have to find people with similar interests and be yourself. Being young is part of it. Boy, did I learn some life lessons as a young, naiive girl from Iowa. It's rough just being young. You sound like a wonderful person with a keen mind and an instinct for living that a lot of 'drinking' people don't appreciate. Be careful in those surroundings. Say something in those groups. Speak up for yourself - You take charge a little and say something like, 'So should I do the picking or what?' Just hang in there and DON'T WEAKEN! Or as Western people say, Cowboy Up!..You're going to be fine...and get out of Iowa!....

[Darkshdwguy]

311ohappy: You my friend are an IDIOT! You say S. A . should get out of his box? I say pull your head out of that pile of pig crap and while you're at it pull the cob out of your ****! S. A. was not slamming or bashing Iowa. He clearly stated he loved the state and wanted to be a part of it.