Please don't take it the wrong way. I'm not looking down on immigrants. I'm an immigrant myself and I'm not rich either. Because I'm not rich, I try my best not to get into financial trouble in the U.S. How? By purchasing medical/health insurance. When I came to the U.S 9 years ago, I was told that the U.S is the most expensive place to get sick. If you don't have the money to pay for medical care, you better have a medical insurance. No one knows what going to happen tomorrow. Accident can happen anytime, anywhere, and when that happen you will be glad that you have that insurance. Health insurance in the U.S is essential. The U.S is not like other countries in Asia where when you get sick you just run to the closest hospital and get treatment for almost noting. It just doesn't work that way in the U.S. The health care system in the U.S is very complex and very expensive.
I'm not saying that you will become a public charge. I understand how Asian think because I'm Asian myself and I have friends also who works as Chinese Delivery guy or even Asian store clerk. I know how Asian, especially Chinese mentality work. From the hard work and discipline to the willingness to live in hardship. I'm not telling you it is wrong. I'm just telling you that U.S in not Taiwan or China, it is not easy to live in poverty in this Country. It is actually more difficult because of the high living standard that sometimes comes with a high price. We're simply trying to tell you to not acknowledge working minimum wage. Don't say it is ok to work for $8/hr because it is NOT OK. Find something that will enable you to live better. You'll come soo far from Tawian, at least you want to have a better living.
What I was trying to tell you is that if you mentioned to the Consular at the interview that in the U.S you want to work in a Chinese restaurant for $8-$10/hr for 12-14 hours, and find the cheapest living place in the city, they most likely will deny your visa. I know how American thinks, they won't see your idea as hard working but as an idea to get by. Americans have a high living standard and they have the same hope for the new immigrants that coming to the country. It is understandable that new immigrants would not immediately have money in the U.S but if you show a more realistic approach on how you will survive in the U.S, they will be more appreciative.
One thing that I learn in the U.S is that Americans appreciate contribution. When you are asked what you want to do in the U.S. You need to think what can I contribute to the U.S? What can I do to help the American society? Is it my skills? Is it my knowledge? I'll let you think about that.
Don't be naive and thinking that you already have the solution for everything when you live in the U.S. You won't know until you live in the U.S for sometimes. Yes, I know, the U.S looks beautiful and grand from where you are, but if you are not careful, the U.S could be hell when you're here.
You are blessed that you have given the opportunity to receive a Green Card. I sugguest you take the opportunity and live in the U.S to the fullest. Pursue the American Dream and embrace the American life. When you do, you'll find out what it is the true meaning of living in U.S and you'll enjoy it.
