- by Samantha Cilliers -
As a little girl I was told by my father about this country beyond the ocean. We talked of new beginnings and a new life. Around my eighth birthday my parents sat my brother and I down and asked our permission to move. We of course said yes, but we didn’t understand what it means to leave everything you know behind. It was a hard move leaving South Africa and my extended family, but I was blessed with a closer relationship to my parents.
Now brand new to America, particularly new to Buffalo and upstate New York, I was able to see how different life would be. That was where I found snow for the first time and what an experience that was! I jumped head first into the snow in shorts and a T-shirt. The betrayal I felt when I had thought snow was like fluff from a pillow. Safe to say I try to keep snow very far from me now.
Years later I learned through my teenage years the hardships my family had to still go through across the sea. I saw the boundless opportunities I had here in the states and I developed a pride in my home and guilt for what they still had to endure. I knew I wanted to help people. I wanted to give everyone an opportunity like I had. I wanted my life to be in service to others. I craved giving my life purpose and that’s when I happened to walk into a recruiting office. I heard stories of real life heroes and what they sacrifice to make America the America I heard stories about as a child. This was my way to give back to the United States for giving my family a home. So I joined the United States Army as an Airborne truck driver. This started my path to give my thanks back. As I did my service I was given my citizenship, the first American in my family line. Actually, this last October was my 6th year as an American.
Now that I left the service I needed to find myself again, a new brand. That’s where I found Naz. Through Nazareth’s history I saw my values shine back at me. This is where I’m starting my journey as a future nurse — hopefully to continue my service to people. I cannot wait to see what lies next.
I am a proud immigrant who joined the United States Army. I came to America with my parents in hope to live the American dream and so far it’s been just that. America had given my family everything. Through Nazareth, I will be able to continue my dream of helping others as a future nurse when I graduate in 2025.
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