Living in America

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Eric Clarke, motivated to pursue educational opportunities unavailable in 1958 in his home country, persuaded his father to find someone with a financial portfolio to satisfy a college and the United States Consulate that he would have the necessary funds to pursue his studies. One of his father’s friends became his sponsor, satisfied the financial requirement of the authorities, and got him a student visa. His sponsor’s role over, Clarke knew meeting his financial obligations is on his shoulders without help from others, as he embarks on his venture to America with high hopes and scant funds. In this hilarious and provocative memoir, Clarke chronicles the events from the night he stepped off the plane in New York City, through his academic years, family and the education of his children. He tells about the challenges of assimilating a new culture, coping with financial difficulties, and the experience of extraordinary events that are useful to anyone contemplating immigration to America. Dr. Clarke is a retired pharmacist, immunologist, epidemiologist and healthcare administrator. He completed his studies at Central State College, Long Island University, Brandeis University and Columbia University. He has lived in America for fifty years.