1. What made this experience significant for you?  
2. What did you do to cause the change to have a positive outcome?  
3. How did you know it was the appropriate time to make the change?  
4. How would you suggest someone prepare to make such an experience more expeditious or effortless (to simplify their process)?   
5. Has this impacted your beliefs about future changes and if so how?  
6. What did you use as a support for your transition process?

 GEOGRAPHICAL (from outside U.S. to U.S.)

"With a cavalier attitude of responsibility there's no tomorrow and you have a feeling that it's impossible to fail. If you are doing extremely well where you are, you're not quite as likely to venture out into the unknown."  

- David A. Sheppard

1. Leaving Canada for California to live, with no plans to return. Was married with four children and planned to move them out eventually, once I got work. Had nothing to go back to, business was not good, came out on a shoestring . Knowing the weather was good all year long as opposed to six months, I thought there would be twice the opportunity to make good. I was a pretty accomplished carpenter, good at my trade, learned from my father, but didn't get the type of recognition I got when I came to California. In Canada they didn't necessarily recognize someone might be able to do the job as a young person. California was a young person's field. Only ten years out of the 2 nd world war. The focus of the country was rebuilding, everything was in flux. They'd had a whole lifetime of change happen already.  

2. It was time to take a risk. It was not scary for me. We did a lot of reading about it. Needed to get out and look for broader horizons.  People then didn't have a concept of distance and they couldn't conceive of [our move] being that far, so it was not much of a shock to people. I met very little resistance. Later, television brought a better conception of space and travel.

3. The weather brought us out. I was looking forward to the change with great anticipation. With a cavalier attitude of responsibility there's no tomorrow and you have a feeling that it's impossible to fail.  If you are doing extremely well where you are, you're not quite as likely to venture out into the unknown. When older, most folks get concerned about their failures, though I've made several, I probably didn't make them with the same abandon as I did when younger.  

4. Do a lot of research. Know what your getting into and why. Just because things aren't working out where you are, doesn't mean you can't find out another way to make it, like staying at your job. I wanted to make a more major change. It's good to have an option, a fallback job if possible, if you still decide to change.

5. I make changes all the time. I become involved in new building projects because it's in my nature to do so. Lots of people use their age as an excuse for inactivity. If you're feeling good, age has nothing to do with your choices and you can be an example to other people at any age. Retirement to some means no work again. To me it means I can pick and choose what I want to do and not do... Some people love their work and make their money at it. That's the best thing that can ever happen.

6. Good buddies who talked with me that didn't want me to go. Others were somewhat oblivious or felt I was deserting my wife and kids instead of preparing a better life. When I came here people were telling me how much they were waiting for me and looking forward to and appreciating my expertise. My wife was extremely amenable to doing it. All of my life I've always thought how great it was she was with me in every turn of the way-trusting me-being good about making these changes. It was an emotional move, my wife having a bigger family than me, none of who moved out west. When my family moved out here, it underscored that I'd made a good move. She never got that validation, yet she has never doubted that change.

- David A. Sheppard, Residential Property Developer , ADEK Development Company

"If it's too much to take one day at a time, take one hour after another. A rainy day will pass and tomorrow will be another day, even if you don't know what to do."

- Otolio

1.  I came to the U.S. in 1986. I had to learn another language. Came with two suitcases and few belongings, documents and pictures. No husband. Stayed in brother's apartment, very simple place. No driving skills, no typing, couldn't use a computer. Afraid of traveling in case I lost my way.  Very scared. I had to keep my faith. I could write home, but not freely.  Better not to put my family in trouble. Just sent them a postcard.  2 ½ years later my country became free. I already had my green card and my son and brothers were here.  I got a job in a veterinary lab doing testing where they normally need a university degree, but they simply pay me less.

2. I was determined to survive here and do what it takes.  I love this country. You must have resources. When one chapter from your book is closed, open another one. I tell God, "you created me, now you worry about what is next."  If it's too much to take one day at a time, take one hour after another.  A rainy day will pass and tomorrow will be another day, even if you don't know what to do.  

3. Got my third visa to visit my brother in the United States. The secret police, the government in Poland, asked me to work for them and give them information.  I knew it was time to stay in the states. My obligation was my son here then too.

4. Accept the new situation is the way it is. Don't try to change others to fit to your expectation. You have to fit in. Be positive. Don't try to reach the sun, the moon. It doesn't matter. Make the goal more real.

5. Look at what you're making the change or sacrifice for? What is the end of the road? My son can live in this free country and be happy.  He's not in prison, or at war.

6. My brother, my mother gave emotional support. I met many friendly people. People are good, helpful. Look at the positive. I ignore others. If you think logically if they are helping you, maybe it's because you were there for them along the way.  

1. All of it was significant in moving from South Africa to the U.S. I was at a later age.  I had four children.  Everyone thought I was completely off my rocker.  At that time one son and a sister was living in the U.S. We were doing most of our counseling and training in the U.S. every 3 or 4 months, so I was traveling here.

2. When I came to the states in 1996, I said, "This is great, I like this place." I went home and told my family, "We're moving to the U.S."   They all looked at me and said, "You have lost your mind." They said, "We're not going anywhere." I felt it was going to be a better life for me and I'd grow as a person. If I want to get something done, I need to name the product and be specific, really want it, and get it.

3. The crime rate seemed to be getting worse, due to escalating unemployment.  I always thought it would work out and be fine. We lived through all the difficult times, 30 years. After the changeover of the government with Mandela, about 1994, I thought it was going to be good for the country. All the inequities would get handled. All the wickedness would get handled. Black people would have what they needed. Nothing had changed, it was just as bad. We just had black politicians driving around in big cars. I was done with Africa, I wanted to go play a bigger and better game and go somewhere else. I liked Los Angeles and our religious center was here.

4. If maybe my family had come with me the first time I came out, they would have had more of a reality about it to make the decision. My husband is older than I and he simply wanted to get to retirement age and have it go easier. It was tough talking family into it. We'd often heard when you make a geographical move, there are problems if you don't have an infrastructure. Make some contacts, be it family, church, friends, something before you move.

5. I've never had trouble with change. I don't have a button on it at all.  I'm impulsive and will go and do something else at the drop of a hat and make it go well. My writing business is going extremely well.  

6. My own determination. At the end of 1998 at Christmas time I went for a walk on the beach and I told my husband, "I'm going to America in six months. You can sit on the beach and vegetate, it's entirely up to you." I really wanted my whole family to come with me, but I told them, "You don't have to. It's your life. I've done my thing. I've grown you, put you through school.  Now it's my turn. I've been here for 25 years.  It's time to go on."  Four of us came together.

- Sally Falkow, Webdesigner, Writer