Journey to the “Promised Land”

I came to USA with zero dollars in my wallet! How did it happen? Read my story!

The Old Testament!

I have been an American dreamer since a long time ago, year 2001 to be exact. I had gone above and beyond to reach my American dream. Back then I had to go to Cebu to attend seminars for teaching abroad. One time I was invited to do a panel interview in Cebu with recruiters from New York. Fortunately, among the hundreds of applicants, I was given a job offer from New York City Public School District. However, I was asked by the agency (that was Health Quest) to come up with a half million Philippine pesos upfront to pay for my visa documents and processing. With that agency I had before, their policy was no money, no processing. So I couldn’t proceed with the application and the American dream was not realized. Yet it was still in my heart that one day I still could go. In the year 2005, there was another group of hiring team from the US that came to Cebu. I showed to them the job contract I got from the New York school. The said they could not accept it anymore as it was already expired and that I had to be interviewed again. Fortunately, I got another job offer - this time around it was in the state of Maryland. I was so excited for this second job opportunity because I thought I have a friend whom I could ask for financial help to finally pursue my American dream. However, that financial help I was expecting turned into nothing. That American dream and longing in my heart changed into heartaches and frustrations. I had to regain my self confidence and faith so not to lose my hope. In 2007, another opportunity knocked at my door. I went to Cebu for another time around to attend another US job interviews. I got another job contract, this time in New Jersey. A lot of us passed in that hiring season. The agency were already busy preparing the papers for the working visa- the H1B visa. But I was left behind. I didn’t catch up with the group as the retrenchment period began. Hiring Filipino teachers under H1 B visa was paused due to immigration policy change.

The New Testament!

Do you have an idea how Israelites lived after the death of Joseph? The new King of Egypt put Israelites under slavery for the new King didn’t know who Joseph was. Then Moses came to rescue them and took them out of Egypt to free them from slavery and brought them to the Promised land.

Like Moses, iTeach America LLC came to rescue me from the bondage of my unfulfilled dreams and the many years of longing to be in the USA like the Promised Land. My dream to conquer USA never stopped. iTeach America headed by Ms. Julie Ann Hejl came to help me conquer my dream and assisted me to reach the promised land - a place where dreams or hopes can come true. Indeed I conquered USA this time around. I’m now in the promised land where I need to continue my mission. Getting to where I am now was not easy. I had to create online accounts for my job applications to many school sites like Alaska Teacher Placement (ATP) with more than 58 schools districts. I also created an online account for Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), Atlanta Public Schools (APS), Alamogordo Public Schools (APS), Roswell Independent School, Tucson Unified School District, Espanola Public Schools, Volusia County School District, Rio Rancho Public Schools, Lehigh Learning Academy, Indeed, and many more to mention. But I received no invitation for job interviews. I did receive few invitations through online live Job Fairs. Online live job fairs mean spending sleepless nights due to the time difference between Philippines and USA. Attending those few online live job fairs was stressful, demanding and required me not to sleep from 12 midnight down to 6 in the morning; and the interviewers did not give signs of offering the job. Looking back from those experiences, I can say it was all worth it - a time well spent towards achieving my goals.

Patience, faith, and hard work definitely helped me. Out of the many opportunities I had before to teach in the USA and the many job applications I submitted online, God knows when is the right time and what is the one really meant for me.

April 16, 2021, after Ms. Julie of iTeach America recommended me to the school district to be interviewed by the HR Director, I felt this time around it would be different. This was my first time to be recommended by an agency and my first time to do a live, one on one, online job interview. The schedule was 6 in the morning in the Philippines, but I needed to prepare 2 hours before the schedule. So I was already up super early for the said interview. When it was time for my interview, the HR Director who interviewed me couldn’t hear me - my computer audio was acting up. So we started online chatting instead. Few minutes before the interview ended, my audio started to work! I finally heard the HR Director’s very kind voice saying “Great, Chona, you made it! Could you wait a little more? I will reschedule you after 90 more minutes?” I smiled to him and said, “My pleasure, Sir Kris! I can wait.”

While waiting for my new interview schedule, I got the chance to look at iTeach America’s private group chat and saw that Ms. Julie sent a message to the whole group saying: “Please sign your job offer now and return it to Sir Kris.” I was alarmed by this and I asked Ms. Julie if someone got the Math job offer already. She said, “Yes, Ma’am Chona, it was quick.” I asked myself why do I need to wait when the Math position was already filled in? I almost lost my hope. But I persisted. The the HR Director came back to me and he continued my interview. The last question given to me was: “Do you have anything else to say?” I just said: “Thank you Sir Kris for giving me the chance to be interviewed despite the technical failure at the start. I hope I’ll be accommodated in your school district.” You know what he replied that made me trembled? He said: “You are! I’ll send your job offer first day of next week.” And I just blurted out in a very loud voice: “Thank you, Sir!” I hope I didn’t scare him with my very loud reply.

Tuesday in the Philippines, Monday in Alaska, my job offer was finally sent in my inbox, just like what the HR Director said. To God be the glory. When it was time to process my visa application, I didn’t have a hard time working on my papers because my new agency iTeach America was there to help me. Ms. Julie Ann of iTeach is just one message away. I didn’t have any queries that weren’t answered. Thanks Ms Julie Ann for all your help. This is why my salute to iTeach America.

During the processing of my document, I didn’t have much money to support my visa application. The only money I had was for my DS160 which was around eight thousand pesos to be paid at RCBC and for my SEVIS which was two hundred twenty dollars to be paid online. I also had to spend for my winter gears. But God, like always, is so wonderful. Our agency, I believe is God’s instrument, had found a visa sponsor partner and host school that would pay for my visa. iTeach America was also there to help me financially. The agency had someone in the Philippines who could lend me some funds to support me in my transition in the USA. The financial assistance was a tremendous help for me who had struggled finding funds for my American dream. With iTeach America, I did not have the headache finding funds; I did not have to go around looking for people I know for financial assistance I was really needing.

When it was time for me to travel to USA, there were three of us from CDO who flew to Manila to process our final papers to be able to leave the country and travel to US with the group. The group of teachers whom I would travel together , 19 of us, all of them already have their final papers completed, while I still did not have my CFO travel sticker yet. It was very scary to think that I would be left behind again. I needed to go to the CFO office and thought if I needed to cry and beg to get my CFO travel sticker, I would do it. I finally got my CFO sticker at the very last hour. It was like a miracle.

On our way to the international airport, my companions and I were talking about how much dollars we had in our wallets. We heard that we needed to prepare two thousand dollars in case the immigration would ask us as to how much we have to sustain ourselves while waiting for our first salary in the US. I said to the group I only had twenty eight PESOS left in my wallet and did not have a single dollar at all. They won’t believe me, especially the fact that I didn’t have a single dollar bill. One of the teachers was so kind to lend me her $50 in case the immigration would ask. She placed it in my wallet, and we both prayed for the best.

When I arrived at the international airport, I finally saw and met everyone in the group- some of them I only met and knew via iTeach America’s private group chats before. Some of us were from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao - indeed from all over the Philippines. At the airport, each of us weighed our luggages to make sure we won’t pay extras. We also went through the Immigration area where they scrutinized our documents. I thought to myself if this was the gate to heaven, it would be very difficult for us to enter! Imagine that! At the immigration, you just have to make sure you have all the requirements needed but that moment was like between heaven and hell. If you passed the immigration, I am sure it would be like heaven. If you don’t, it would be hell!

Our group all passed the immigration. We safely arrived at Narita Japan layover, then we transferred to another plane to Chicago. The flight was too long that I was feeling dizzy now and then. That was my very first international long flight, but a flight that has been long overdue. I was just grateful.

When we arrived at Chicago, we lined up at the US Immigration. They were so strict. I saw a few who were escorted to a holding area. This made me so anxious when it was my turn! The immigration officer asked me to hand in my documents. First, he read the small paper we received from the plane that we filled out and immigration officer just said: “You have a nice handwriting, so you are a Teacher?” I only said: “Yes.” The immigration officer then told me: “But you have lacking document.” I was so nervous and said: “Oh. But what is it, Sir?“ He moved closer to the window and said: “I am looking for a document with this J1”. I know what he was looking for. So I pulled out my DS2019 in my folder and handed it in to him. Then he said, “That’s the one. Please take off your mask and look at the camera.” After he took my picture, I smiled at him, and he smiled too but he paused then said, “You look so nice! You look pretty, and I like the color of your hair. It blended well to your face. Really nice! What color is that?” I was shocked of what he asked. I just gave him my biggest smile and I asked myself was this part of my entrance to the US? :) I just told him it was a Chestnut brown hair color. Then he said, “Welcome to United States of America!Ms. Chona, I know many students will like you. Smart teacher.” What a warm welcome!

After that I quickly asked the group at the luggage area about my face and about my hair. They were confused why I was asking them about it. I just laughed and told them what happened to me the immigration area.

Last leg of our trip was our flight going to Anchorage. At ANC airport, I finally saw and met in person Ms. Julie Ann of iTeach and Mr. Kris- the HR Director. So amazing to meet them. These two individuals helped and supported me to come to the USA.

Ms. Julie Ann of iTeach was always guiding us, especially from the time we arrived in Anchorage. She was working so hard to assist us. Sir Ron of iTeach, picked us up at the airport and drove us to our hotel - Marriott Residences. Arriving in the USA was worry-free for me because of iTeach America LLC’s care and assistance. Our HR Director was also so hands on when we arrived in Anchorage.

With all the necessary documents needed upon our arrival, Ms. Julie was already there guiding and leading us on where to go, how to do things and what to process. I really gave my two thumbs up to this petite, untiring Filipina who shared her time and effort with us especially when we arrived in the USA. My fees are not enough to pay her time and efforts she extended to me when I first applied in her agency, until I arrived in Anchorage and even until now I can message her if I needed help and guidance. Our school was also so supportive. The HR Director handed us a golden packet where our one thousand dollar advance paycheck was inside. I needed that advance pay check because I literally had zero dollars really coming to the US. The $50 in my wallet was just borrowed in case the US immigration officer would ask how much I had with me. Ms. Julie also provided me the financial assistance I need in my US transition. Very well planned by God! God gave me the perfect time and perfect place to meet these wonderful people who helped me make my American dreams come to fruition. Although I came to the USA without a single dollar under my name, but after my arrival in the USA I was able to have enough money to spend for my transitional needs and I was also able to send back few dollars in the Philippines for my family. Finally, when it was time for us to travel to our respective school sites after the new hire professional trainings we had in Anchorage, that’s the moment I started missing people. I had to tell myself this is part of this journey. I am just thankful to iTeach America! Thank you Ms Julie Ann.

When we arrived in my school site, I felt awesome! I really made it. The more I say to the Lord: “What a wonderful place you brought me Lord, so solemn.” I also have a very kind and supportive principal; and very friendly and helpful fellow teachers and school staff. The Teacher housing is perfect also as the distance from the house to school is just very short distance.

Indeed, this is all God’s perfect timing. I worship Him before bedtime and in the morning upon waking up. My faith to Him is all the more strengthened. God brought me here with a purpose despite all the struggles and challenges. Indeed I came to USA with zero dollars under my name at first but it was made possible because of God’s provision and mercy.