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I created this website for my Intro to Mass Communications class at Worcester State College. I decided to create the website to sympathize with teenagers that are displaced from their hometown due to a natural disaster. I’m sharing my story to let those people know that I walked in your shoes and the discomfort and agony you are feeling, I felt it too. You’re not alone and things are rough at the beginning. But in a couple of years, things will get better although it isn’t the same.
Basic Information:
Name: Thao Ngo
Class: Sophomore
Majors: Biology and Psychology
Family and Friends:
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A rough start...
On September 11, 2005 at approximately 1:10 am, my family and I ended our 29-hour trek to the northeast. We were victims of Hurricane Katrina. Our home was destroyed by the storm, which left us without a choice but to drive the 2000 miles journey to live with family members. We arrived in Worcester, Massachusetts two days after leaving Houston, Texas on September 09, 2005.
At the beginning, life was extremely difficult. Sure we had family members aiding us here and there, but what I, as a teenager, needed most was my childhood friends. Leaving Louisiana was heartbreaking because my entire childhood lies within the state and to leave Louisiana, I lost all inspiration and initiative to adapt to the new environment.
On September 14, 2005, I was enrolled into Burncoat High School as a senior. The school days were terrible because I lacked friends and the initiative to be social. I was not involved with the school nor was I excited about graduation. What is there exciting about graduating at a high school with 250 seniors that you barely know? It was definitely the most unmemorable year of my high school years.
A new beginning...
Despite the loneliness and the burden of attending school without any friends, I graduated second from Burncoat High School on June 09, 2006. I was to start my freshmen year of college at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science in Boston in September 2006.
Freshmen year was off to a great start. I lived in a suite with one roommate and two suite mates. My roommate Howen and I weren't really close at the beginning. But as the school year progresses, we shared stories and grew to appreciate each other's company. My studies were off to a great start as well considering that I had no distraction since my suite was always quiet, which allowed me to study peacefully. But sadly, MCPHS was out of my league when it comes to cost. For that reason, I decided to transfer to Worcester State College to finish the rest of my undergraduate studies.
Worcester State College reminded me of my high school years. Unlike MCPHS where there were lecture halls, WSC classes were smaller and more teacher to student interaction were involved. The campus of WSC is slightly larger than MCPHS, but the one building campus had its advantage when it comes to rainy weathers. And although I miss life in Boston, I'm glad I made the decision to attend WSC because if I was still at MCPHS, in the long run, my loans will accumulate close to $100,000. And that's just for my undergraduate studies!
Adaptation/Adjustment...
It was difficult going through senior year of high school and freshmen year of college without any close friends. But I didn't let that affect my studies. We all know life doesn't always end up perfectly. But what we can do is try to make it perfect out of what we have. Sure I miss my friends, but I can make new ones although the memories I shared with my childhood friends can never be replaced. I've been living in Worcester for two and a half years now. Sad to say, I'm not very fond of the environment. And winter here in the northeast is terrible. I still have difficulties adapting and adjusting to the environment, but I'm not going to let that intervene with my life. There's a lot more to life than where you're residing. It's a bad thing that I had to relocate so suddenly, but I guess things in life happens mysteriously... maybe for a reason that we will never know.
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