Saifoloi Fata

During High School I received a football scholarship to University of Arizona.  I took this because “Education and a better future”.  90% of our people who graduated every year from high school end up in the U.S. since we don’t have university or better job opportunity or they end up joining the military.  I arrived July 24, 1993, a Ten hour flight from Samoa to Phoenix.   I came from a tropical 80 degree island, arrived in Phoenix at 1pm 113 degree heat (I was wearing a thick jacket on the plane because I was looking forward to see snow now I know why the recruiter asked me to take it off before arriving in Phoenix) 113 degrees in the shade!! Hot.  I was looking forward for a new challenge in life especially the lifestyle, culture and education.  

The only culture changes that I experienced was, in Samoa, we the “Man”, yes “Man” (laughs), we cooked the food, you will never see a female cooking, ladies this is not a joke!!  The head of the house (father) provide for the family, he works bought the food and cook the food or fishing all day, came home and cook for the family.  It’s just our culture.  I would go back but just for a visit.  What I miss most about Samoa is the ocean, taking the tourist to show them around the island, the people, the smell of the sea-breeze at night and the food.  We are family oriented; we are always closed and stay together.  There’s a phrase about Samoan people, you messed with one coconut the other coconuts were jump in and help to protect the first coconut.  I keep in touch with my family with internet and visits. They are supportive of me. I am happy since I don’t have to depend on anyone “maturity”.  To keep my culture identity alive I attend the aloha festival in phoenix every march.  This is where Samoans, Tongans, Fijian, Hawaiians, New Zealand all meet up.  There’s about 800 plus Samoan in Arizona and 95% of the time if you asked a Samoan if he/she knows this Samoan, the answer will be “Yes”.  I haven’t experienced any discrimination but most of the time people think I’m Hawaiian.  I’m always proud to be Samoan.  I respect everyone and treat everyone with respect.  Samoan people are known to be huge and mean people but were not, we are call the happy people of the Polynesian.  I didn’t have a problem at all until our first Thanksgiving in Arizona with my roommates, we all went to the Food City and asked the cashier for some turkey but non of us knows how to say turkey in English, so I end up pretend to be a turkey in front of about 20 customers in line so the cashier can understand and make it worst she asked “paper or plastic?”  I told her “both”.  Coming to America was a learning experience.  America means “freedom”, biggest surprise, nothing comes “free” you have to work hard to accomplished everything.  I trying to live the American dream and it never come easy unless you work hard.  I have better jobs and money, home is always home.  Although, yes coming here was worth it.  I’m probably still back in Samoa, work at some government job or just sitting around and do nothing maybe fishing all day at night just hanging out with friends and never think about the future.

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