Two Worlds free essay sample

I walked to U.S. Customs in Chicago with my Jordanian passport clutched in my hand and my backpack over my shoulder. The man at the Customs window was dressed in a sophisticated black suit with badges all over his top pocket and a .45 caliber pistol. When I handed him my passport, he began questioning me as if I were from another planet. The first question made me feel unwelcome: â€Å"Why are you coming here?† Can’t I visit other countries? In Jordan they would say, â€Å"Welcome to Jordan.† He continued questioning me, almost to the point where I wanted to catch a return flight home. After a long conversation, he wrote a code on my Customs paper. As I walked away, I felt relieved. However, after my third step, a security guard with a night stick and a gun approached me and asked for my passport. From this moment on, I knew I would be treated differently from other arrivals. We will write a custom essay sample on Two Worlds or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He read my code and ordered me to follow him. Everyone else seemed to be having a great time, talking and laughing. How ­ever, when they glanced at me they would get a funny look. The security officers led me to an  ­office where they emptied my bags, and, as before, questioned me about everything. They asked why I had nail clippers. I wondered if it was a joke. Why does anyone have nail clippers? But since I am from Jordan maybe he thought we had other uses for them. I gave the only answer that made sense: â€Å"To cut my nails.† Finally after a long time, I was released. At last I saw the Culver sign and  ­headed toward it. I boarded the bus and thought about home and how I was  ­going to face big differences in culture and habits. I felt excited to come here, but  ­realizing I would have to struggle made me less eager. I worried that the airport would be an indicator of my entire experience. The Customs and security personnel treated me like a terrorist, as if I was the reason for their sons and daughters dying in Iraq or in the Twin Towers. Although I grew up thousands of miles from New York City, after September 11th, my life changed. My brother told me that America no longer trusted Middle Easterners. The Middle East was in a state of chaos,  ­hatred, and tyranny. Even though Jordan was the calmest country in the area, Jordanians were becoming frustrated with what was happening in their region. This is when events started to reel out of control. Numerous terrorist acts harmed the reputation of the country and the region. As a Catholic in a predominantly  ­Islamic state, I am familiar with Muslim beliefs. True Muslims do not believe in terrorism; in fact, they oppose it. Just  ­because some terrorists are Muslims does not mean the majority supports this, yet anyone who is a Muslim is likely to be labeled a terrorist. As my father used to say, â€Å"Do not judge people by their looks – judge them by their actions.† Coming to the U.S. for my high school education has been an experience of a lifetime, and although I struggled at first with some students calling me a terrorist, I stood up for myself and  ­explained the nature of the conflict. Since most of my peers were not familiar with what was going on, I do not blame them. Now, I feel I am a mature person, and I like to put myself in the position of a judge presiding over a trial between the U.S. and the Middle East. I have a clear advantage in this case because I have learned the beliefs of both cultures and would be able to resolve the conflict  ­fairly. If more people from the Middle East were able to take the risk and do what I have done by coming to the U.S. to study, these issues would be much closer to resolution. Two Worlds free essay sample I anxiously wait as the number seven button turns to red and the elevator doors close and take me into a place where two worlds will intertwine. The duffle bags filled with clothing and toiletry items for my brother become cumbersome in my trembling hands and gradually slip to my fingertips, but somehow remain dangling. As I exit the elevator, I immediately inhale the ever-present aroma of hospital supplies and mediocre, cafeteria food. I sense a feeling of pain and suffering as I stride past the occupied rooms of ill patients and become saddened as I hear their shrill cries of misery. My heart throbs more rapidly, because I know that a few doors down, my brother, Timothy, similarly lies confined in a white-walled, sterile room attached to IV’s that continually pump antibiotics throughout his vulnerable body. I enter the anteroom where I put on a hospital gown, face mask, shoe covers, and gloves so as to reduce his exposure to infectious diseases. We will write a custom essay sample on Two Worlds or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page When I am fully gowned up, I enter his room and see him resting in his new adjustable bed, recovering from his second bone marrow transplant. In the summer before my Junior year of high school, the hospital became my second home. This room serves as the new dining room emitting the smell of my mother’s home cooked chicken pot pie and overflowing with piles of my summer Biology assignments and English summer reading books. As the summer passes and the school year arrives, the opportunity to spend time at the hospital becomes infrequent and I am determined to make time for regular visits. What appears to be a dilemma between visiting my brother and pursuing my academic endeavors turns into a balancing act of my two commitments. As I encourage him, his strength grows, and in turn he encourages me to continue pursuing my academic goals. These visits are no longer viewed as a sacrifice, but are becoming a time when both of us are gaining tremendous boldness through obstacles that appear insurmountable. I scan this all too familiar room and observe that as the weeks pass, not only have the once dull walls transformed into a collage of brightly colored drawings imparting hope and brightness to room 750, but also I too am beginning to adapt to the new struggles of my rigorous schedule. Although the first bone marrow transplant failed and could have potentially taken his life, fortunately, Timothy was given a second chance when my sister became his donor. While he recuperates, my parents, siblings, and I sit by his bedside day in and day out offering our support every step of the way. As the new marrow travels throughout his entire body in an effort to destroy the old, Timothy endures excruciating pain but feels comfort by our presence. This new hope flows through me and I too am rejuvenated. The fatigue I feel in my own body and mind subsides allowing me to remain focused on keeping my academic standards high. I found an inner strength that enabled me to balanc e the love for my brother along with maintaining high academic standards. During my brother’s 104 day hospitalization, I watch his spirit begin to revive, enabling my own inner man to be strengthened. My responsibilities begin to grow as I now have to take on the role as the eldest brother in Timothy’s absence. I willingly provide a strong shoulder for my younger brother to depend on and an even stronger shoulder for my sister to cry on during such an emotional time. What could have become a greater distress has further developed my personal growth. I saw this experience as an opportunity for personal improvement and by observing Timothy I learned that through hard work and dedication, success can be achieved. I know that I am capable of attaining greater levels of achievements through great adversities.