A young Dominican woman has candidly shared her life experience in the United States on TikTok, revealing the challenges she faces in adapting and making friends in a new country. In her video, @florangelji expresses her frustration with adult life in the U.S., and her message has resonated with many immigrants who share similar feelings.
"For those living in the United States, why doesn't anyone tell you that adult life here is so difficult?" she begins in her video, which quickly garnered thousands of views and comments. The young woman mentions that she has been going to the gym in the United States for a year and has not found anyone to talk to as a friend, longing for a gym partner to share her workout routine with.
Additionally, she highlights the difficulty of making friends in general. "It's hard to make friends in the United States," she admits. Comparing it to her life in the Dominican Republic, she recounts that she had high expectations about the friendships she would form and the adventures she would have with them. "When I lived in the Dominican Republic, I had expectations about the friends I would have and that I would travel with them... People think it's easy here, but it's not."
Many users shared their own experiences of loneliness and adaptation in a foreign country. "I confirm, it's the same everywhere, if they talk to you it's only because they need something," "I've been here for 3 years and have 0 friends," "Here they only use you for their convenience," and "Relax, I've been here for 8 years and don't even have a dog to bark at me, and my life was so social before coming here," are some of the comments seen alongside Flor's video.
Challenges Immigrants Face in the United States
Here are some questions and answers about the difficulties immigrants encounter when settling in the United States, based on the shared experiences in the article.
Why is it difficult to make friends in the United States?
Many immigrants find it challenging to make friends in the U.S. due to cultural differences, language barriers, and the fast-paced lifestyle that leaves little time for socializing.
What are some common challenges immigrants face when adapting to life in the United States?
Immigrants often struggle with language barriers, cultural differences, finding employment, accessing healthcare, and building a social network.
How can immigrants overcome loneliness in a new country?
To combat loneliness, immigrants can join community groups, attend local events, volunteer, and use social media to connect with others who share their experiences.