The Angle

Volume 1998 | Issue 4 Article 17

1998

Culture ShockAmanuel M. WoldeSt. John Fisher College

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Recommended CitationWolde, Amanuel M. (1998) "Culture Shock," The Angle: Vol. 1998: Iss. 4, Article 17.Available at: http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/angle/vol1998/iss4/17

Culture Shock

Cover Page FootnoteAppeared in the issue: April 1998.

This poem is available in The Angle: http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/angle/vol1998/iss4/17

CuLture Shock

I felt stripped and naked.Sometimes, even unwanted,as I was interrogated.

"You don't look from here.Hi! My name is Heather."

lVo, ma' ctrrL I' m not Jrom Americe,.I comefrom Erttrea.

"Ha! I never heardsuch a thingWhere is that?"

Perhaps, that is,becau^se Aou are sef-centeredor indfdfererat.

"Sir, excuse my i$norancemy geography is off balance.How do you pronounceE...r..oiI'm sorry.I can'tsay itright."

^E-R-I-T-R-E-AMa'am, Eritreais in Africa.

"Great!"

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Wolde: Culture Shock

Published by Fisher Digital Publications, 1998

0 roll my eyessmililrg and wondering,whafsnext.)

'Do you like ithere?'

IJr.rst gothere.I can'tgtue Aou ttrc rigtrtarTswer.But eueryth@JeelsJunnA so far.

"Wtllyou stayor go back?"

Imag,if I hnue soffr lttck.

Your English is greatlHow come you don'thave Ern accent?'

Thnnks Jor the comptimetrt,but must I hnue an accent?

Tou're also handsomeCould you cometo my home?'

Ladg,I thtrk,You're crosstt?gl aboundary.

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The Angle, Vol. 1998, Iss. 4 [1998], Art. 17

http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/angle/vol1998/iss4/17

What is to thema way of making me feel at homeis a,n invasion of privacyto fne.

When I ask,why do you want to know everything?

'Uust curious."They say, blushing.

And I sayquiefly of course.["ady,you're not only curiolts,but you're also nosy.

"But sir, that's the Americanway.For better or worse, you're stuck."

Yes ma'anrL Perlwps Aou wirt,butAour AmericanwaAdoesn't always workw tttt ttre Un- Ame rica n.

I felt stripped and naked.Sometimes, even unwanted,When I was interrogated.

--Amanuel MalikWolde

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Wolde: Culture Shock

Published by Fisher Digital Publications, 1998