Claire Komischke was born in Mannheim, Germany, but at the young age of seven years old, she moved to the United States with her family when her dad was offered a job in Cary, North Carolina. Her family didn’t know how long they were going to stay, so they went into the country with a lot of uncertainty. Knowing no English other than how to say her name and how old she was, she was enrolled into a public English speaking school. Here, she faced bigger challenges than any 3rd grader should; she had to overcome the language barrier that was making it very difficult for her to make friends and understand what her teacher was asking of her. As the oldest of four girls, Claire not only had to focus on her own English-speaking capabilities, but she had to guide her sisters through the process as well. To work on their communication skills in English, Claire and her siblings tried to speak the language at home as best they could, yet her mom spoke to them in German for fear that they would forget their native language. It was a constant struggle for Claire to juggle the emotional part of not being ready to let go of her life in Germany, but also trying to move forward with the life she had now started in America. Despite the struggles in the beginning, after four years of living in Cary, Claire looks back on her experiences and sees so much positive. She describes the US as a place full of kindness where Americans greet those whom they barely know (which she found super amazing in her first weeks of 3rd grade). That is something that she never really experienced in Germany, and she found so amazing. There are also so many things she accomplished here. She became fluent in English, made tons of friends, and not only adapted to the American culture, but she thrived as a part of it. She is currently back in Mannheim after her dad’s job moved her back, but she feels as though her experience in America is one that has shaped her to be a kinder and better person. Claire is an extraordinary example of how much an immigrant can learn, grow, and thrive here in the US.
