Anyone from Ohio?

agatha · August 29, 2008

This is kind of off topic but I have family that might move to Ohio and I had a couple of questions. I also didn't know where to post this so if I did it in the wrong place I apologize. Thank to everyone who replied to my post about how much liquid they were able to consume after surgery!

Agatha

HeatherO · August 29, 2008

I am from the Cleveland area. I like it here (except for the winters . . . blahhh).

Just let me know if you have any questions about Ohio. :0)

agatha · August 29, 2008

My family is from Argentina and might be relocating for their job with Dannon. They would probably move to the Minster area. My aunt speaks english fluently but my uncle does not. They are also worried because their youngest child has down's syndrome and they don't know what the school system will be like. My aunt and Uncle lived in the US for five years before they had kids and went back to Argentina. But at the time they were in a very urban setting and had us close by. Now they will be in Ohio and we will be in New Jersey. Do you think that most people would be welcoming or more closed off when they find out they are foreigners? Are you familiar at all with Minster? I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me.

Agatha

HeatherO · August 29, 2008

I am not familiar with Minster. If the area is ethnically diverse or is a little larger town/city area, it may not be too difficult to blend in. The school systems here are accomodating for children with special needs. My nephew goes to a special school and it has been a good experience for him.

Your aunt will have a much easier time than your uncle if he doesn't speak English. If there are many speakers of their native language nearby it will be easier. However, there are many, many free ESL (English as a Second Language) classes that are available throughout the state and he can learn.

Some people are very accomodating and friendly with people from other countries, and some are not. I think you will find that anywhere within the country. It seems like it is easier here than places like Texas or California to find friendly people if you are from another country. Most people in Ohio are friendly, at least that I have met or in my area.

Discrimination can happen to anyone, at least on a small scale just about anywhere. I experienced an issue myself when I was with some friends that were speaking Turkish. I am an American and have been for many generations, have red hair and blue eyes . . . yet I had some man come up to me and ask, don't you people even speak English in a not so nice way. He then asked if we were Muslims, I ignored him and someone else told him it was none of his business. He walked away, but you could tell by the way he looked at us and asked the question he was looking for trouble. That happened in New York. It was nothing big but I will always remember it as the first experience I had with someone being upset because I was not speaking English. Some people are very strange.

Really, I think they will be OK. They have lived here before so they have an idea of what life is like here. New Jersey has a slightly more diverse culture than Ohio, but they are relatively close and things are not so different. The schools are decent and there are many good people here.