- S
- K
- S
Hello Friends,
I would like to tell you all about a situation that I am currently facing.
As most of you all know, I was an international student from South Korea (In 2018, I received a U.S. Green Card). I came to America, the Land of Opportunity when I was twelve years old. I was not a typical international student. For my parents, it was never easy to send me abroad. It was always a struggle. My dad had to work in places such as Bangladesh, Libya, Cambodia, and Saudi Arabia in order to make just enough money to help me live out my dreams. He would come back to Korea three times a year, only for a week. My mom, who was living apart from my dad, worked two jobs: one full-time job and another part-time teaching English after. As an English teacher, my mom was working endless hours a week, until she tasted blood on the back of her throat.
When I was eight years old, I knew I wanted to go to America. I snuck an application to study abroad, filled it out, and turned it in. As I got older, all I could do was dream about someday coming to the States. At the age of 12, my Aunt stepped in and helped my mom & dad make my dreams come true! I was finally going to study in America. I was in 7th grade, living in a Homestay with a family, who took me under their wing as if I was their own daughter, for the next 5 years. At this point, my family was already struggling financially, but luckily thanks to my amazing “American Family” I was able to continue living in the States.
When I was a senior in high school, my dream shattered. Two months prior to my graduation, my Aunt passed away. She was the glue that kept our whole family together. She was the one who selflessly gave so that my dreams could come true! After her passing, I had to face a reality that my international student life was finished, but once again, with the help of my American Family and amazing friends, I was able to continue my education. Things were starting to look up and it seemed like we could breathe a bit easier for once in our lives.
Since 2010, my dad had been working in Saudi Arabia; however, in 2014 he had to start a different job to make enough to support the family. In addition, each subsequent year he came to Korea less and less. The last time he saw my mom and I was in 2015 when we visited him. He wasn’t even able to come to my High School or College graduation and he hasn’t been to South Korea since 2012. It hurts me because I can’t imagine being away from my family and friends for eight whole years.
Sadly, our happiness was shortlived, the head of the company, my dad’s boss, fled back to South Korea and ceased all communications with the entire company. In June of 2015, my dad found out that he was left in charge of the company. My dad is a really nice person and always looks out for others before himself. He didn’t want to leave all the employees, whose families depend on their income, out to dry. He tried to make changes and salvage the company but to no avail. He was forced to file for bankruptcy on December 2015. As a foreigner in Saudi, without a job, source of income, work permit, or sponsor (visa) it is needless to say, that his life has been a living hell.
Even to leave the country he would need to pay penalties, which is something he didn’t have money for. While my dad was trying his best to salvage anything from the company and return to Korea, my mom was working 12 hours a day, six days a week at restaurants trying to get him home. I was also working in the States and saving every penny so I could send my mom money for mortgage and utilities. Because I was not yet a citizen or green card holder, I took any job I could get so I could stay in America and still help my mom. I shared a small apartment with four other girls and slept in the living room so I could save the maximum amount of money to send home.
My dad has been trying his hardest to get back to Korea so he can return to everyday life and work to help support my mom and I. He has fought hard to get out of the mess, and has even been scammed by a fellow Korean who was promising to get him back to home. But all roads have led to disappointment and disaster for almost five years. Three weeks ago, my dad finally found a local sponsor who can help him come back home. At this point in time, our collective family has spent almost $75,000 from all the penalties, legal fees, jail bail fees, visa renewal fees, and so on. My dad’s loan is maxed out, my mom's loans and credit cards are maxed out as well, and I’ve also maxed out a loan plus all my savings with help from my fiancé and his family. I still wear the same clothes and shoes from my first year of college. I have been turning down all my friends invites (you guys know this) to save money, and now nobody really asks me to go out anymore. That is okay though because my first priority and primary responsibility are to help my parents who have given me the best possible life. My parents have nobody to depend on but their only daughter. They sacrificed their whole lives living apart so I could live out my dreams and I feel as though I’ve let them down which is why I’m reaching out to all of you.
My parents and I have done the BEST we can to collect $75,000 even though most of the money is from loans and credit cards. My dad still has to pay an additional $12,000 in fees, as well as a COVID-19 quarantine fee, special COVID plane ticket, and possibly additional fines and fees that we may be unaware of. Things there just aren’t as transparent as it is here.
I am so stuck and have no idea how I will pay for my car in August as I’ve sent every penny I have to my mom. She is also worried about her next month’s mortgage, utility bills, and new loan payments. She is doing her best to sell my childhood home and move in with her brother. All of this frightens me. If my dad doesn’t leave by his visa deadline I’m scared of what will happen to him.
The deadline for my dad to leave Saudi is: August 12th, 2020. After that, the Visa expires.
The whole global pandemic is not helping at all. I know everyone is stressed and scared because of how unstable our economy is. I would very much appreciate any help I can receive no matter how small! Thank you for reading my long story. I tried to shorten it but didn't want to leave out any important details as I wanted to be as transparent as possible.
Lastly, I would like to give a special shoutout to all my Guardian Angels who helped me come this far: Hoekstra family, Jung family, Simh family, San Diego Bethel Korean Church, Love Boat family, Gumabon family and so many other friends. For those who I didn't list you know who you are, and I really appreciate all you have done for me.
Hope everyone stays healthy and safe!
Much Love,
Sunny
I would like to tell you all about a situation that I am currently facing.
As most of you all know, I was an international student from South Korea (In 2018, I received a U.S. Green Card). I came to America, the Land of Opportunity when I was twelve years old. I was not a typical international student. For my parents, it was never easy to send me abroad. It was always a struggle. My dad had to work in places such as Bangladesh, Libya, Cambodia, and Saudi Arabia in order to make just enough money to help me live out my dreams. He would come back to Korea three times a year, only for a week. My mom, who was living apart from my dad, worked two jobs: one full-time job and another part-time teaching English after. As an English teacher, my mom was working endless hours a week, until she tasted blood on the back of her throat.
When I was eight years old, I knew I wanted to go to America. I snuck an application to study abroad, filled it out, and turned it in. As I got older, all I could do was dream about someday coming to the States. At the age of 12, my Aunt stepped in and helped my mom & dad make my dreams come true! I was finally going to study in America. I was in 7th grade, living in a Homestay with a family, who took me under their wing as if I was their own daughter, for the next 5 years. At this point, my family was already struggling financially, but luckily thanks to my amazing “American Family” I was able to continue living in the States.
When I was a senior in high school, my dream shattered. Two months prior to my graduation, my Aunt passed away. She was the glue that kept our whole family together. She was the one who selflessly gave so that my dreams could come true! After her passing, I had to face a reality that my international student life was finished, but once again, with the help of my American Family and amazing friends, I was able to continue my education. Things were starting to look up and it seemed like we could breathe a bit easier for once in our lives.
Since 2010, my dad had been working in Saudi Arabia; however, in 2014 he had to start a different job to make enough to support the family. In addition, each subsequent year he came to Korea less and less. The last time he saw my mom and I was in 2015 when we visited him. He wasn’t even able to come to my High School or College graduation and he hasn’t been to South Korea since 2012. It hurts me because I can’t imagine being away from my family and friends for eight whole years.
Sadly, our happiness was shortlived, the head of the company, my dad’s boss, fled back to South Korea and ceased all communications with the entire company. In June of 2015, my dad found out that he was left in charge of the company. My dad is a really nice person and always looks out for others before himself. He didn’t want to leave all the employees, whose families depend on their income, out to dry. He tried to make changes and salvage the company but to no avail. He was forced to file for bankruptcy on December 2015. As a foreigner in Saudi, without a job, source of income, work permit, or sponsor (visa) it is needless to say, that his life has been a living hell.
Even to leave the country he would need to pay penalties, which is something he didn’t have money for. While my dad was trying his best to salvage anything from the company and return to Korea, my mom was working 12 hours a day, six days a week at restaurants trying to get him home. I was also working in the States and saving every penny so I could send my mom money for mortgage and utilities. Because I was not yet a citizen or green card holder, I took any job I could get so I could stay in America and still help my mom. I shared a small apartment with four other girls and slept in the living room so I could save the maximum amount of money to send home.
My dad has been trying his hardest to get back to Korea so he can return to everyday life and work to help support my mom and I. He has fought hard to get out of the mess, and has even been scammed by a fellow Korean who was promising to get him back to home. But all roads have led to disappointment and disaster for almost five years. Three weeks ago, my dad finally found a local sponsor who can help him come back home. At this point in time, our collective family has spent almost $75,000 from all the penalties, legal fees, jail bail fees, visa renewal fees, and so on. My dad’s loan is maxed out, my mom's loans and credit cards are maxed out as well, and I’ve also maxed out a loan plus all my savings with help from my fiancé and his family. I still wear the same clothes and shoes from my first year of college. I have been turning down all my friends invites (you guys know this) to save money, and now nobody really asks me to go out anymore. That is okay though because my first priority and primary responsibility are to help my parents who have given me the best possible life. My parents have nobody to depend on but their only daughter. They sacrificed their whole lives living apart so I could live out my dreams and I feel as though I’ve let them down which is why I’m reaching out to all of you.
My parents and I have done the BEST we can to collect $75,000 even though most of the money is from loans and credit cards. My dad still has to pay an additional $12,000 in fees, as well as a COVID-19 quarantine fee, special COVID plane ticket, and possibly additional fines and fees that we may be unaware of. Things there just aren’t as transparent as it is here.
I am so stuck and have no idea how I will pay for my car in August as I’ve sent every penny I have to my mom. She is also worried about her next month’s mortgage, utility bills, and new loan payments. She is doing her best to sell my childhood home and move in with her brother. All of this frightens me. If my dad doesn’t leave by his visa deadline I’m scared of what will happen to him.
The deadline for my dad to leave Saudi is: August 12th, 2020. After that, the Visa expires.
The whole global pandemic is not helping at all. I know everyone is stressed and scared because of how unstable our economy is. I would very much appreciate any help I can receive no matter how small! Thank you for reading my long story. I tried to shorten it but didn't want to leave out any important details as I wanted to be as transparent as possible.
Lastly, I would like to give a special shoutout to all my Guardian Angels who helped me come this far: Hoekstra family, Jung family, Simh family, San Diego Bethel Korean Church, Love Boat family, Gumabon family and so many other friends. For those who I didn't list you know who you are, and I really appreciate all you have done for me.
Hope everyone stays healthy and safe!
Much Love,
Sunny