It is a great challenge to arrive in a new place, a place that will now be your home, with a different culture and many new things for you: finding job and financial stability, learning a new language or making new friends may seem overwhelming, but it will not be difficult. .
You are not alone, and because we want to be part of the solution to your challenges, here are four recommendations that you should keep in mind to make it big in Charlotte and the Carolinas.
1. Specialize
If you come to get job opportunities, consider specializing in something technical. Find where you can study a technical course or career. Usually, these studies last a short time and you can get a job with high growth rates and good salaries.
Trade schools are a good option for certain types of specialized jobs that are in high demand in the city.
For example, one of the best ways to earn money in the United States in the construction area is usually with specialization. We give you a fact: a person specialized in the field of electricity has many opportunities, it is a job that is in high demand and very well paid compared to other trades such as masonry, for example.
2. Private Transportation
It will not be very necessary if you live in a big city, for example: New York. But if you're in Charlotte or any other area of the Carolinas, having a car will be a vital help in getting around. Remember that in the United States, having a car is not a luxury, it is a necessity, since you will most likely have to travel long distances if you want to go to a supermarket or your children's school; and the dynamics of mobility in cities and suburbs is done that way: that you can easily get around by car.
If you require financing to buy one, the first thing they will ask you for is a credit history, but in the event that you do not have it, you can prove your income. You can do it with a job reference with your specified salary, or the same pay stubs. In the same way, you can credit the amount you have for a down payment or down payment.
The proof of residence (verification that your name is really associated with a physical address) and, of course, the driver's license will also be requirements to take into account.
If your possibilities allow you to buy a used car, keep in mind the requirements that, in this case, you must make to the dealer or seller:
– La factura de venta inicial
– El certificado de título de propiedad
– El certificado de kilometraje total
– El certificado divulgativo de daños
– Andar en auto propio te acercará mucho más a las oportunidades.
3. Join more Latinos
Social media will help us a lot to integrate into the local community and make new contacts. You can search for Latino groups on Facebook and join them. For example: just with a search like “latinos in Charlotte” you can get interesting results.
Likewise, you will find job and business opportunities, as well as more Latinos than you who are looking to integrate.
Social networks, especially Facebook, will not only accompany you in your leisure time, but will also become a key platform for learning about the city, its people, its opportunities and expanding your social circle.
Another option is to go out, yes, go out and visit social clubs frequented by Latinos or natives of the area. How about some salsa classes? You decide the plan! Help yourself with applications like TripAdvisor or Yelp to know the variety of places to frequent and know before leaving.
Additionally, you can start tuning in to local stations that are frequently used to meet people, especially singles who want to integrate and establish new relationships.
4. Find places to learn English
English will be essential to expand your opportunities in Charlotte. There are some local options that you can consider to learn the language. Remember that this is essential to succeed in Las Carolinas. Here we suggest some:
Central Piedmont Community College
The CPCC, in Charlotte, is a public and free option that offers English courses and in which they will not ask you for documents to enter. The classes are entry level for beginners and you will not need to meet any requirements to take them, the only exception is not being in the country on an F-1 or J-1 visa.
In this way, with the CPCC you can obtain a good base to continue training academically and facilitate your job search or, even, citizenship if it is your case.
Located in Charlotte, Borealis Language Academy offers you group and interactive class options with up to 10 students, as well as private tutoring where you can schedule your own time at your convenience.
In addition, it has some benefits that could be attractive to you: the first class you take is free and, if you refer friends or family, you can get discounts on your monthly payment for each one of them who register at the academy.
Through this organization focused on immigrant rights, you can also take English courses, from basic (free) to advanced levels; They even offer an English course to obtain citizenship in association with the Charlotte Area Fund, so it is free of charge.
In Christian communities you can also find opportunities to learn the language for free and also engage in an experience of socialization and cultural exchange.
The Metrolina Baptist Association with the International Edge Institute offers ESL classes through nine churches in North and South Carolina.
Among other options we have the church United Methodist of Jonesboro or the episcopal church of Holy Comforter of Charlotte.
Online Options
If you want to study at your own pace in an asynchronous way, in which you decide the time to study, there are many online options.
One of them may be the popular Open English platform that has live classes 24/7, native teachers and offers preparation for TOEFL, TOIC, IELTS.
If you prefer, and you are more of a self-taught type, you can always find free options on various Youtube channels. It is only a matter of looking for and trying the video classes that can be very useful, if you know how to organize your study plan. Here we share some:
– Speak English With Misterduncan
– Real English
– VOA Learning English
– BBC Learning English
You're not alone! We are many Latinos who continue to look for hundreds of ways to connect and make our way to achieve our goals in the United States. Together we can help each other to get ahead, with empathy, generosity and a feeling of brotherhood. Together we will achieve great things!
