They felt lonely and isolated. In Vietnam there was no separation between the Chung’s house and community. People would easily mingle. They would easily go to their neighbors’ house, but it was not same in the America. “But in America people kept their doors closed and locked, and they only opened them if someone came by to visit-and no one wanted to visit a woman who couldn’t speak a word of English”. (Chung 226-227)
It was not only difficult in their day to day activities but also difficult for the children in their school. “The first day in a new school is hard for any child but try to imagine what it’s like for a refugee who doesn’t speak a word of English. The teacher tells everyone to take a piece of paper, but you have no idea what she’s saying, and the only reason you take out a piece of paper is because that’s what everyone around you is doing. (Chung 237) Chung along with his other sibling were bullied too. They were bullied for their looks. “Why does Vinh have a flat nose?” (Chung