"Crossing Flatbush Avenue" Jean-Claude Richardson

In the streets of Flatbush, a young man strives to succeed at pursuing his Bachelor’s in Business, Management, and Finance. Living a descent, busy life as a young college student and part-time worker, I was able to catch up with Jean-Claude (name has been changed) for a quick chat via telephone.
When I arrived from my home country Haiti, to my current home of the United States at 12 years old, I expected a better life, something new, something different. Not exactly sure of why I left, my mother arranged to get me to this unusual land, a land I had yet to see for my own. I left behind a piece of my family that I barely even talk to now, to lead a brand new life in America. I was only a child then, but now, at almost 22 years old, I see myself as an older, wiser me.
Growing up in Brooklyn for the rest of my childhood, I had to learn how to adapt to my environment. I had to change my lifestyle here and my mentality as well. Everything was so different from Haiti, the schools I attended, the way the people were, and many other things were different as well. I attended Prospect Park High School, and I managed to do very well at fitting in with all the other dudes in there. I learned a lot from going there too. It taught me more about whom to trust, and about whom not to trust. Trust is a big issue for me, stemming back from when I was a child. However, I do not feel to elaborate about it more at this moment.
I was not speaking French or French Creole in the classrooms. I had to learn English of course. A difficult task it was indeed, since it was straight out of my comfort zone. But thankfully, I believe that throughout my years of living in Brooklyn, I learned to speak the language well enough (even though you are always correcting me. Some friend you are!) French Creole is a language I use at home with my mother. Sometimes I speak it with some of my friends too. But I know that you could not tell if I had an accent or not. I conceal that really well!
As I moved on to my collegiate studies at Kingsborough and Brooklyn College, I felt like I acquired much knowledge and understanding from American culture. To me, I still never viewed myself as either more American or more Haitian. Of course, I am Haitian no matter what. I was born there in the late 80s and I still think about my life there. But for the matter of whether or not I consider myself an American? Well the idea does not matter to me much. I grew to be comfortable with American customs here. I am even a citizen here. No particular reason, I guess it was a good idea to become one you know?
I am hoping that by 2020, I am a business man, living life as morally as possible. I have dreams that have to be made into a reality, just like anyone who emigrated from a different country. I am living a good life now, and I have so much more to accomplish as well. I represent Haiti whenever it is necessary, but I am happy that I live in my apartment in Brooklyn, going many steps further into my life.