West Haven, Connecticut [continued from page 1]

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The school itself was fair.   Coming from Saudi Arabia, I was shocked at the amount of courses available to take, only to realize quickly that what West Haven High School had to offer was inferior to a few neighboring towns. It did not bother me. For my part, I was discovering how easy American Education was especially because I was put in average level classes [apparently my straight A report card from my previous school did not meet his expectations]. My tenth grade was the first intellectual trip I took since coming to America. I was challenged with the understanding of the turmoil ridden American history along with the evolution of American humanities from colonial times to the present. That was a good trip.

I did like the easy access to Yale grounds from West Haven. I enjoyed quite a few afternoons with a friend of mine touring the Yale campus and feeling what it would feel like to go to Yale. If I looked at any student, I thought each of them as some potential genius or elitist. I would always have to return to the reality of the depressing town next door to Yale.

But, when things were settling down for me, my sister brings up the possibility of moving closer to my brother-in-law's business in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Our eyes were set on Fairfield and Trumbull. I was excited about new schools with more educational opportunities. Months dragged on. I said goodbye to my friends at the end of the 10th year hoping to make the move to Trumbull during the summer. Unfortunately, I get trapped in Saudi Arabia during my summer trip there, only to return to Connecticut a half-semester late. Then I try to catch up academically only to be pulled to Trumbull within two weeks.

© 1999