Rekha Patel

I have to say is something about your future plan. Here there is the good opportunity and good environment so you have to make up your mind what is in your future, what do you have to do? Make very good decisions. Have a very nice lifestyle. So you can get a very good degree. So here, in United States, you have so much opportunity. So you can go in a good program.

Rekha Patel

Hello guys, my name is Rekha Patel. I was born in India in Gujarat. I came here in 2004. When I came to the United States, I didn’t know a single word of English, so it was very difficult for me to survive here.

I grew up in a small town in India. My parents were not educated, but they wanted me and my brother—I had two brothers, to go to school. They did so much for our education, for us to grow up, and everything. I had my graduation and then when I was 18, I got married so I stopped my study. I started my family life. I have two kids and I came here, and I’m happy to be here.

Here there is nice education. In India, whatever you learn you have to understand and here it’s very nice to take time and make sure you understand and you learn the topic. In India, our teachers read the topic and they say, okay here is the question, and you have to write down the answer. So we had difficulty, because we didn’t understand very well. India is very different than the education here.

In Indian culture there are so many things to do, like gudan. Navaratri is Gujarati like dancing program. We have lots of festivals.

I came here in 2004. When I came here in I did different jobs. I started my work with one of our Indian families. So I cooked there and served the food and helped them. Second, I did my job at Super Target. I was a sales person in Target. And third, I did my job in Indian grocery store. And now I opened my restaurant on 45th Avenue and Central Plaza. My restaurant name is Jelsa Indian Fast Food. Jelsa. 45th and Central. We have all vegetarian food there. I cook myself and serve to people. I have six employees. Four are full time and two part-time. My four employees are Mexican. They are very nice people. They do a very good job. One is Nepalian and one is Indian, so a total of six employees.

When I came here it was very difficult to survive. I brought my children with me. So it’s very difficult to settle here. But the community and my friend, everybody helped me. Minnesota is a very nice, nice city. I like the people. Very nice, very educated, and very helpful. I liked the story and opportunity here that’s why I wanted to bring my kids here and give them a good education.
Minnesota is a good city, good people, and good education. Tax-wise and everything, very low, so that’s why I want to live here.