I’ve been thinking a lot about my future. The future, as it turns out, depends on the past. Read on if you want to follow along my journey.
In 1984, over 40 years ago, I immigrated to the United States as a 10 year old boy. My father was entering the prime of his career in Taiwan. He was to become an executive for IBM, then later Unisys, and hence he got the family US Green Cards through his employment.
Taiwan was very different when I grew up, a developing country long before becoming today’s semiconductor powerhouse. A common belief back then was that local opportunities were limited, so if possible, one should send their children to America.
I believe that influenced my parents. My older sister finished elementary school. She was moving to New Jersey to live with my aunt and uncle. She will receive the prized American opportunity.
I just finished 4th grade. I wasn’t supposed to go. My dad asked me if I wanted to go too, and innocently, I said, sure! That single answer changed my life forever, more than my parents or I could imagine.