Fitness enthusiast Mukami celebrates 22 years of being in the US

Coming to the US was never my first choice.

I wanted to go to Canada, got accepted to a college but was declined a Visa. I was sad and depressed for about a month then decided to try the US.

This time the process was easier and 2 weeks after getting the Visa I left Kenya headed to college in Georgia. I was 20.

22 years later what do I like about the US?

Pros

1. Process – there is a process for EVERYTHING and everyone must follow the same process for most things – no bribing

2. Availability of jobs – If you’re focused, not lazy or proud and ready to do whatever it takes, you will thrive.

My first job was a cashier at Wendy’s (a fast food joint) making minimum wage despite the fact that in Kenya I had a great job in technology.

I worked 2 to 3 jobs sometimes 4 in the summer to save enough money to pay tuition $5000 to $6500 per semester – 500k to 650k and for this I graduated without any student debt.

Shout out to Suzanne Bennet. A friendly 75-year-old lady whom I met while volunteering at a homeless shelter in 2002.

3. Great services & conveniences that make life easier.

4. You can succeed as long as you work hard.

What I don’t like: Cons?

2. Racism – something I knew nothing about until I came here

3. It takes a long time to settle in – learning the culture, credit system, how things work etc. About 2 years.

4. Exposure to a lot more things that can lead you astray – drugs, gambling and such

Not really a con but you have to work hard to have a good life.

My definition of a good life (for me) is having freedom – financial freedom, time freedom and location freedom – the ability to work from anywhere in the world and living life on my terms.

In 2014 I made a partial move to Kenya and spent time between the 2 countries.

There is no perfect country, they all have pros and cons.

What really matters is who you are (your character), the choices you make, knowing what you want, a great attitude, staying focused and committed to your goals & dreams