Mwangi’s note: Why on Earth they would confuse the world by having a place called Washington D.C. and then an entirely separate State called “Washington” I don’t know, but anyway enjoy this guest post from an old friend of mine, Wambui.

Mwangi asked me:

“What advice would you give someone that is coming to Seattle, WA.?”

Well carry an umbrella and a jacket. It rains often. You’ll need it. The weather here changes in a minute and most of the time it changes to rain. I’ve been here 3 years now and I am still not accustomed to how much it rains.

mamamusings

Get your geography right:

Seattle is in Washington State. Not to be confused with Washington DC. DC is in the East. Washington State is the Northwest. Seattle, WA = Northwest.

Get your documentation right

It is important to make sure you visit the necessary government offices as soon as you possible can to get yourself not started on the right path. Get an id card. Get a bank account. Get a social security card if you are allowed to get one. It really is much easier to get a head if you do things legally. Don’t over stay your visa and use your visa for the right purpose i.e don’t come on a visitor visa and then attempt to become a student or worker without getting a permit to do so.

Seattle is somewhat tolerant. But once people know you are not originally from here they ask questions. These questions are usually to find out your intention of being in Seattle and the US. Seattleites know their basic immigration stuff – they know about visas and how they work – they are not afraid to ask how long your visa is for and what you plan on doing next(using the word next is their polite way of saying when it expires) . They are also big on following the law… No easy shortcuts or hookups.

Get your money right:

Understand the value of money. Seattle is not considered a super expensive city, but it is definitely not on the cheap list. It’s very easy to get caught up in the Seattle’s art and culinary scenes. Its easy to spend in small doses here, However those small doses add up when you look at your balance and realize that the ten dollars (plus tip because it is expected and customary here) you spent eating out every week adds up to 100 bucks. Please live within your means. It’s a common problem with African immigrants here in Seattle attempting to show people that they aren’t “poor”. It really isn’t cool because most people can see through the façade. If you can’t afford it, don’ t do it.

Get yourself right:

You need to get in the mind frame of “me, myself and I”. Family isn’t always there to help and even if they are they may not be willing to help you. Friends come and go. So know who you are and where you are going.
You also need to have your emotions in check. Its gets lonely, it gets depressing, it gets hard, people question you and who you are. This is where self confidence comes in. You need to be confident in who you are. You’ll meet people out there who aren’t cool with who you are and the way you look or the way you dress.

Also you need to be happy with what you have at the moment. Always work for better things. But don’t ever let anyone get you down. One has to learn to feel good about themselves and the current position they are in while still working for something better.

Seattle is a huge melting pot when it comes to culture. People are from all over. However one needs to be aware that as much as it is a huge pot. People may not be open to understanding your culture or who you are. As friendly as the Seattle is it is a little cold c. Everyone says “hi” and they are excited to see you the first time around. Don’t be surprised if they meet you on the street next week don’t acknowledge you. Don’t worry though its not you. It’s just how they are. It is known as the “Seattle freeze”

Please don’t be shocked if you find people talking to you like you are inferior. A lot of people here while calling themselves tolerant are not. They will be opening to getting to meet you and having fun with you but its all superficial. They are not interested in what you are about or where you are from. As I said … don’t focus too much on this. It’s not you its just them.

Get to know the city:

Mag3737

You’ve got to learn how to get around. Remember, it’s just you. People can only help you for so long. Fortunately one doesn’t really need to buy a car if you live in proper Seattle. This is because Seattle has one of the best bus systems in the USA. The buses run on a regular schedule and they take you to pretty much any suburb in what is known as King County.

The faster you get to know the city, the faster it will be to get around and get things accomplished. It is especially crucial because people will always be willing to give you directions but they only know directions of places that concern them.

If you opt to get a car. Please do your research!!

My experience in Seattle that you need to know a few main streets ( Pike, Pine , Westlake, Madison, 3rd Ave, and Bell) Navigating through downtown is is a breeze once you know these.

Get your accent right:

Did you say you were from Africa? Great!

Well half of what you say will not be understood, the first few times. They’ll always tell you that they love your accent but it doesn’t mean they are understanding what you are saying. To this day, I’ve been here 3 years, I can’t really order a Hamburger at most restaurants, I have to get a friend to do it for me. Why, you ask? Well apparently the way I say it would be spelt out as “Hambagga”. Same applies for most words that end with “er”. Personally most people delight in the way I say “whatever” and they repeat it endlessly to whoever will listen. Oh and they love the way Kenyans pronounce the letters of the alphabet. Apparently we say “h” differently!

Get comp savvy:

Seattle is after all home to Microsoft and Amazon! Google and Adobe also have huge offices here. So please… don’t walk around seattle and not know how to use a computer. Or what a CPU is? It would be good too if u knew that C+ and Java are programs too because a good number of people you meet will be in IT professions.

]]> http://www.thedisplacedafrican.com/2008/11/wambui-shares-tips-for-anyone-moving-to-seattle-washington-usa/feed/ 16 1:25 Mwangi's note: Why on Earth they would confuse the world by having a place called Washington D.C. and then an entirely separate State called "Washington" ... Mwangi's note: Why on Earth they would confuse the world by having a place called Washington D.C. and then an entirely separate State called "Washington" I don't know, but anyway enjoy this guest post from an old friend of mine, Wambui. Mwangi asked me: ldquo;What advice would you give someone that is coming to Seattle, WA.?rdquo; Well carry an umbrella and a jacket. It rains often. Yoursquo;ll need it. The weather here changes in a minute and most of the time it changes to rain. Irsquo;ve been here 3 years now and I am still not accustomed to how much it rains. mamamusings Get your geography right: Seattle is in Washington State. Not to be confused with Washington DC. DC is in the East. Washington State is the Northwest. Seattle, WA = Northwest. Get your documentation right It is important to make sure you visit the necessary government offices as soon as you possible can to get yourself not started on the right path. Get an id card. Get a bank account. Get a social security card if you are allowed to get one. It really is much easier to get a head if you do things legally. Donrsquo;t over stay your visa and use your visa for the right purpose i.e donrsquo;t come on a visitor visa and then attempt to become a student or worker without getting a permit to do so. Seattle is somewhat tolerant. But once people know you are not originally from here they ask questions. These questions are usually to find out your intention of being in Seattle and the US. Seattleites know their basic immigration stuff ndash; they know about visas and how they work ndash; they are not afraid to ask how long your visa is for and what you plan on doing next(using the word next is their polite way of saying when it expires) . They are also big on following the lawhellip; No easy shortcuts or hookups. Get your money right: Understand the value of money. Seattle is not considered a super expensive city, but it is definitely not on the cheap list. Itrsquo;s very easy to get caught up in the Seattlersquo;s art and culinary scenes. Its easy to spend in small doses here, However those small doses add up when you look at your balance and realize that the ten dollars (plus tip because it is expected and customary here) you spent eating out every week adds up to 100 bucks. Please live within your means. Itrsquo;s a common problem with African immigrants here in Seattle attempting to show people that they arenrsquo;t ldquo;poorrdquo;. It really isnrsquo;t cool because most people can see through the faccedil;ade. If you canrsquo;t afford it, donrsquo; t do it. Get yourself right: You need to get in the mind frame of ldquo;me, myself and Irdquo;. Family isnrsquo;t always there to help and even if they are they may not be willing to help you. Friends come and go. So know who you are and where you are going. You also need to have your emotions in check. Its gets lonely, it gets depressing, it gets hard, people question you and who you are. This is where self confidence comes in. You need to be confident in who you are. Yoursquo;ll meet people out there who arenrsquo;t cool with who you are and the way you look or the way you dress. Also you need to be happy with what you have at the moment. Always work for better things. But donrsquo;t ever let anyone get you down. One has to learn to feel good about themselves and the current position they are in while still working for something better. Seattle is a huge melting pot when it comes to culture. People are from all over. However one needs to be aware that as much as it is a huge pot. People may not be open to understanding your culture or who you are. As friendly as the Seattle is it is a little cold c. Everyone says ldquo;hirdquo; and they are excited to see you the first time around. Donrsquo;t be surprised if they meet you on the street next week donrsquo;t acknowledge you. Donrsquo;t worry though its not you. Itrsquo;s just how they are. It is known as the ldquo;Seattle freezerdquo... Guest,Posts,,Immigrant,stories,,Seattle,,The,Immigrant's,Survival,Toolkit masmilele@thedisplacedafrican.com no No http://www.thedisplacedafrican.com/2008/08/opinions-on-melbourne-from-a-wife-mother-and-entrepreneur/ http://www.thedisplacedafrican.com/2008/08/opinions-on-melbourne-from-a-wife-mother-and-entrepreneur/#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:04:37 +0000 Mwangi http://www.thedisplacedafrican.com/?p=939

If you Like this Podcast, Please Subscribe to the Displaced African Podcast

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The Podcast Interview

Things Covered

1) Introduction, why and how she arrived in Melbourne Australia

2) Did she arrive in the country with the intention of returning to her home country, Kenya?

Employment

3) Impressions on employment and employment opportunities

4) How the Australian labor market accepts Africans and people who have worked in Africa

5) Tips for overcoming initial hurdles you may face in regards to employment.

6) CRUCIAL TIP: Tips for leveraging FREE existing government support and resources when entering the job market

Racism and Race Relations

7) Her impressions on racism in the community and the workplace

8 ) Tips on racism for new immigrants

Culture

9) Her impressions on the cultural mix of Australia.

10) What she has gained from the culture of Australia

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

11) Comparisons between her ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle in Australia and in her home country, Kenya.

Education

12) Fantastic thoughts on the Australian education system and comparisons with the Kenyan education system

13) Tips for parents raising children in Melbourne in terms of education. Compare this with the way Stella Mwangi aka STL was raised. Definitely worth thinking about taking control of teaching one’s child language and maths and not leaving that up to the State.

Raising Children in Melbourne

14) Challenges and insights

15) The difference in relationship between raising a child in Kenya and in Melbourne.

Websites Mentioned

1) KUMON

2) Kip Mcgraph

3) Centrelink

4) Job Network

5) New Enterprise Incentive Scheme

Hope this is of service to you,

Mwangi

Hello,

This one is a very light-hearted phone conversation between myself and my two younger sisters. This one is for anyone who might be thinking of or is raising some immigrant kids. Hope you derive some value from it.

The Stats

Ages: 10 (11 on 16/6/2008) and 14

Occupations: 10 year old is in primary school, 14 year old is in high school.

The Interview

The Text Version

Opinions on Melbourne from Children(pdf version)

You need Adobe Reader to read the document above

Among the things covered are:

1) Making friends

2) Race and relationships

3) Cultural differences

4) The way children treat their parents

5) Is it easy to stay healthy?

6) The first thing you see when you exit Melbourne airport

7) Obesity and the girl with sugar water

Make Sure You Subscribe to the Podcast

I have scheduled interviews with experts and people from all over the African diaspora. To receive word as soon as i have published these interviews make sure you subscribe to the Displaced African podcast via either RSS or by searching for “Displaced African” on Itunes.

Be blessed and bless others,

Mwangi

On the advice to Mzeiya, I thought I would try and get a few more recordings where folks give you their views of Melbourne so that you can get as wide a view as possible of what Melbourne is.

Today’s Guest

Age: 22
Sex: Female
Arrived in Melbourne just five months ago and currently doing her first semester of University

The Interview

Things covered:
1) Introduction and opening opinions
2) Employment
3) Racism
4) Culture
5) Facilities that Encourage Health
6) The second recording is on Education. I realized I hadn’t asked her opinions on it, so I called her right back and got her to talk about it for a little bit.

If You Want to Help

If you want to give me your opinions on your city, I am more than willing to interview you via Skype, on my dime of course.So contact me or let me know if you’re interested.

To ensure you receive word as soon as other immigrant’s give their opinions on their towns, stay subscribed to the Displaced African (tDA) via:
1) Email or
2) RSS (Learn what RSS is by clicking here)

From the land down under though I was born some place up over,
Mwangi

Hi,

Mzeiya, at the risk of sounding redundant, thank you very much for reminding me the type of articles I started up this blog to write in the first place.

And so I begin a series known as:

What is the Best City to Immigrate to?

The way I will answer that question is by going city by city and talking to immigrants in as many socioeconomic and age groups as possible and asking them their opinions on:

a) Employment

b) Racism

c) The culture of the land

e) Facilities that allow someone to maintain a healthy lifestyle (if there is something I may have missed that you think is important, leave a comment below and I will add it to the list of questions).

Today’s Interviewee: Me

Considering I am an immigrant and I am the most available guest I will start with me. Below are my stats:

Age group: Early 20s

Socioeconomic status: Minimum wage employment. Old enough to be a college graduate; college dropout

Any feedback on how to improve this series and make it more useful to you is much appreciated. Enjoy

The Interview

Employment

To further illustrate just how ridiculously low unemployment is in Victoria (the federal state that Melbourne is in), check out the article below:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/08/2238909.htm

Some articles on the nursing shortage in Australia:

From the Australian Newspaper

From News Website

From Express India Website

If anyone has any more articles to submit to prove my point, please feel free to submit them. I thank you for bearing with me as I stumble through this whole podcasting thing, I think at some point I have to attend classes to learn how to slow down.

To receive the latest interviews on the various immigrant cities throughout the world, make sure you stay tuned via RSS or email.