Charles Thuo left Kenya in 1999 with a dream—to pursue a university education in the United States of America.
More than three decades later, he reflects on his journey, describing it as a mixed bag of good, challenging, and a little challenging.
“I moved to the United States of America in 2010. I remember I had just completed my first year at Kenyatta University when I got the opportunity to transition abroad,” says Charles.
For Charles, the allure of the West had always been strong.
“Let’s just say that I was looking for opportunities, and that’s because we grew up admiring the West,” he explains, his voice tinged with nostalgia.
However, the path to achieving this dream wasn’t without its hurdles.
Charles recalls having to “borrow” a bank statement from a family friend to fulfill the visa application requirements.
“It helped that he himself had attended university in the U.S., and so he understood, although he felt it would be proper if I went after completing my undergraduate. But I was determined to go,” Charles says.
It was a bold step, especially since no one in his family had ever been to the U.S.
After navigating the rigorous clearance process at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi and completing his visa interview, Charles was finally granted the golden ticket to his dream.
He remembers the moments leading up to the approval vividly.
“I remember the U.S. Embassy taking time to verify my KCSE certificates, which were very good. They wanted to know why I wanted to move to the U.S. when I had already been admitted to study civil engineering at a Kenyan university. I said Kenya had very bad roads, and that I wanted to go to the U.S., study civil engineering, then come back and change my country,” he said.
After a three-minute interview, Charles was handed the visa.
With just two weeks to prepare, Charles embarked on his journey. But arriving in a new country came with its own set of challenges.
“The food—I couldn’t find ugali or other Kenyan foods,” he recalls. Adapting to the culture was also difficult. “In Africa, people have this sense of community; not over there.”
His first job in the U.S. was far from glamorous but necessary to support his education.
Charles began working in a warehouse, picking orders for convenience stores. His days were grueling.
“I would attend school from 3 pm until 9 pm when the learning center would close, then proceed to the warehouse where I would work from 10 pm to 4 am. I would sleep three to four hours. You literally have no life,” he says.
The intense routine was a stark reminder of the sacrifices many immigrants make.
“That is why many people who go to the U.S. will stay for four to five years, then come back home because there is no rest,” Charles explains.
As a student, juggling studies, jobs, and daily life often left him exhausted and isolated.
“It can be isolating unless you do the same job with your friends. Otherwise, people only meet during Thanksgiving or Christmas because everyone is working all the time,” he says.
Charles is candid about the reality of life in the U.S.
“It’s not a bed of roses,” he admits.
While the country offers numerous opportunities, they often come at the expense of a social life and personal time.
Today, Charles has transitioned from his initial engineering ambitions.
He now runs a trucking business, a shift made after navigating through a variety of jobs over the years.
Though his journey has taken unexpected turns, his resilience and adaptability remain a testament to his pursuit of success.
