Persephone Hohls was thirty-five years old when she first came to the United States from South Africa. Persephone made the journey with her husband, Edmund. Edmund and Persephone came to the U.S for Edmund’s new job as a consultant in Kansas City, Missouri.
Persephone had a difficult time transitioning to life in the U.S. It was everyday things that were difficult for her. Driving, gas stations, huge stores and everything in-between. In South Africa, Persephone was accustomed to someone filling the tank for her at the gas station. However, she discovered in the U.S. you must refuel your own car. She had no idea where to begin and once had to wait for Edmund to help her after he got off work. Driving on the “wrong side of the road” was also a difficult transition. It took Persephone a long time to gain driving confidence and to relearn the rules of the road. The stores were huge to Persephone compared to those in South Africa. This made it challenging for Persephone to find even basic food and household items
While all these small things made Persephone feel like an outsider, the biggest contributor to this feeling was her South African accent and her lack of friends in the country. She remarked, “My accent was so different, so people would notice and not understand me when I asked for water or a tomato.” In addition, she admits that she had a very hard time understanding people, and always had to ask them to repeat their words. Persephone struggled with forming friendships in the U.S. She didn’t work so this added to the challenge of meeting others. Persephone commented, “I had no friends so it was awkward to be among people and not know anyone. I was not working so I was limited to social life.” Finally, Persephone was always stressed and nervous while applying for documentations such as a driver’s license or a green card. Going to the government buildings for these reasons always made her feel like an immigrant that did not belong. Fortunately, Persephone finally received her green card after waiting eight long years. Afterwards, the feeling of being an outsider was no longer so prevalent.
Eventually, Persephone and Edmund had two children, Sebastian and Angelina, at which time they moved to Apex, North Carolina. They have been enjoying life in North Carolina ever since.
