Older Americans and their Plans

American adults love to be happy for the rest of their lives. According to my survey, it is obvious that most Americans want to have a rest and travel with their family after they retired. Some of them desire to live with children for a while and prefer live separately. However, I was told that it should be based on the situation such as disable etc. They would go and live anywhere they can find happiness even it is nursing home or country side. When I raised the question of “are you afraid of getting old? Their responses were of course, but they accept because it is what we are made of to be, and we cannot avoid technically. Generally speaking, based on my survey I could definitely say that Americans like happiness.

Interaction between American Children and Adults

The interaction between American children and adults so much differs from that in my country. Based on my observation, Americans seem to give their children hugs more often than what parents do in Laos. Regardless of places and ages, parents and children can hug each other, whereas we consider weird in Laos. Moreover, children here are taught to be more independent. Parents allow them to do and play whatever their children like. In contrast, we are taught to be more family-oriented, and have to stick with the family most of the time. From that, I could say that I may have a different interaction with my parents compared to what Americans do.

"American Families"

No matter how individualistic people are, families are essentially important to them. According to my observation and survey, it is obvious that family has strong influences to American lives. Although college students have to leave apart from their family, they usually give their parents a call regularly. In general, parents will have no right to choose who they should love, but they have an impact on how their children spend money overall. It is pretty surprised for me because in my home country parents will have an impact and control on almost every single thing to our lives. As Americans go to college, it is they who take care of themselves when they get ill. However, parents occasionally call and give them motivation to recover that illnesses. Generally speaking, American will have a family reunion on Thanksgiving or New Year celebration where they can bring their future wife or husband to see their families. And from that, they will have fun as well as retaining good relationships. All in all, families towards Americans are so much important and back up for their achievements.

what is your country's policy on immigration? Would you want to be an immigrant in your country? why or why not?

Nowadays, the policy on immigration is not so strict in Laos. There have been some loopholes in the government system. Many immigrants are coming each year. In a way, it is good, but in a way it creates more problems into the society such as robbery. However, several immigrants came and reboot our economy especially some Vietnamese and Chinese people doing business in Laos. I would not really want to be an immigrant in my country because a lot of immigrants in Laos don’t have civil rights. Other than that, there is little discrimination too. Many poor immigrants were looked down while the riches are considered respectful. Most people immigrating to Laos expect to have a better life. So those people are inspired to work harder by being victims of discrimination. Generally speaking, immigration in Laos is still an issue for the government to either abolish or allow.

Would you have a gun in your own home? Why or Why not?

At home I possess abundant of fake guns which I have been collecting since I was a little due to "The Cowboy Movies". However, I would not prefer to have a real gun at home at all. In my opinion, a gun (real) would be very jeopardized to others and to me myself. I don't think I am brave enough to shoot a gun or kill somebody by a gun in any cases. However, never does it mean that I am a coward. I would feel more comfortable without a gun. Other than that, having a gun at home is considered illegal if a person is not a police or soldier in my country. Thus, I would rather use my gray than a gun to protect myself. At the present time, I think violence is not a good way to stop problem. A gun is more destructive than creative. Therefore, I am convinced that it is more sensible not to have a gun at home since I am proud of my artificial guns.

Money or Something Else Makes a Person Important?

"American are often stereotyped as believing wealth and possessions make them important." For me and many other people, money is important but not the most important. Money enables me to buy many things that I want to. Wealth is the thing that I want to accomplish as well as many people do. But what I really look for beyond money is my love, happiness, relationship, personal growth, and being respected by other people. All I can say is that wealth and possessions are parts of my life but it is not the most important.

Should A Country Have Immigration Quotas Based On Country of Origin? Should Immigrants Become Citizens? Should Countries Allow "Guest Workers" ?

Every country has their own laws and regulations. Every person has their own perspectives. As for quotas based on a country of origin, in my opinion it would not be appropriate. In the case of the US., many people dream to come here to see a more civilized world. And so did I. Some people have their strong beliefs that one day they would come here and begin new lives.

Recently I think US government is very serious about this issue. Many people come to US and never come back or what they call "Immigrants". If the government create the law for immigrants for example a quotas based on country origin, this issue would become more serious. People would find the way to come to US more illegally and violently. For example, they may come to or live in Mexico and then cross to the US without any documents.

I think immigrants should become citizens. As we have studied so far, America is a diversity country. And as we can see now, many immigrants have their green cards in the US. By the way, immigration is either good or bad for the economy. There will be more unemployment rate. But if we look in the different ways, some immigrants bring reputation for the country for example, Tiger Wood and etc.

As for my perspective, "Guest Workers" should be allowed. According to my study in International management class, imagine the big company such as Microsoft, IBM. Many of their employees are from overseas such as India and China. If guest workers would not allow to work in the US, these big corporations would not be in a good shape.

All in all, immigration is basically unmanageable in many countries including US in my opinion. Should it be allowed or not is based on people's perspectives. But for the US, I think the government is strict enough but not based on quotas on country origin. By the way, Immigration is either good or bad.

Explore Eau Claire City (walk tour)

It was amazing that I came to Eau Claire two months ago but I didn't know much about Eau Claire city and its buildings until last Sunday. I went out to take a walk tour with my host family and friends. It was a great day. The weather was so nice. And we had a lot of fun.


1. The first building which we passed by. It is a huge apartment right beside Eau Claire river.


2. Eau Claire Avenue Grand bridge:
"Nice river view"

3. River mouth between Eau Claire and Chippewa river. " two colors"
4. Largest remaining commercial building from 1983-84.


5. Eau Claire river bridge right in front of Phenix park
6. Behind me is the State Theatre-Regional Arts Center.
7. City Hall (1916) or former library (1906)

8. The first brick home in Eau Claire after big fire



From this walk tour, I have learned a lot more than what I have expected.

Comparison between student lives in Eau Claire, USA and student lives in Vientiane, Laos

VS



It has been my pleasure to come to study in Eau Claire. I have been here for two months, and I have learned a lot about campus lives in UWEC.

At the Lao-American College, the school that I have studied for three years before I came here, students rarely live in dorms, and I don't either. Because Vientiane is not a very big city, most students have their owns vehicles to school. Unlike in Laos, American students mostly live in campus.

In my home country, it is a rule that all the students wear uniforms to school. I did wear with shirt and black pants to classes; otherwise, I would be considered rude to the teachers and get a punishment by being deducted my grade in the exam. In contrast, people never care about uniform in America. I am free. I can dress any thing that I want to school. And I like this much better than a formal uniform.

Besides all kinds of the differences, we still have the similarities. People are friendly and helpful. I sometimes miss home but sometimes I don't at all. In Eau Claire, I feel that every one is my good friends. whenever I stay with American friends, I can feel the kindness and helpfulness from their speakings and their actions. That is similar to people in Laos. And now homesickness is not a problem for me anymore.

All in all, sometimes I feel that studying in my home country and here the United States of America is totally different. But in some ways, it is very similar. Unlike in the U.S.A. we wear uniforms at home, don't live in dorm. By the way, we have one similar characteristic which is friendliness. And that makes me love here Eau Claire a lot.