Most African immigrants agree that the pace of work life in the U.S. is fast and relentless. Since many people work more than one job or jobs that take up a lot of time, they have little leisure. This lack of time stands in great contrast to their home countries where the importance of family time and socializing is widely recognized.

Despite all these frustrations and loss of job status, most immigrants agree that there is much greater opportunity to be educated and to work here than there ever would be back home. Many feel that if you study and work hard here, you can eventually make something of yourself and thus help both yourself and your extended family.