Born and raised in India, Manishwar Singh followed his relatives to the United States for the opportunity of formal education.

Majoring in pre-pharmacy, Singh is taking the advice of his father-in-law, Dr. M.M. Singh of Joplin, to eventually attend universities in Kansas and Houston.

Singh first started learning English in India at 6-years old. He received full lessons as a teenager.

Being a middle-class citizen, he was able to pursue his schooling. He continued his education as a chemistry major at a local accredited college. “India does have good institutions – great competition,” Singh said. “In general, the education system is not good as in the United States. Here you have the chance to have hands- on experience.”

Language barriers do come up in Singh’s day-to-day life.

In India, middle class citizens speak English fairly well, but they are taught with a British accent.

After coming to the United States in September 2003, he said it was difficult to understand certain slang terms for the first few months. Now he is getting used to it.

“I don’t have much difficulty understanding English,” he said. “To be frank, India is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual country.”

In the United States, he is living with his wife Rakhi and her parents. He also has two cousins living in America, one in California and one in Houston. Singh’s parents and other family members are still in India. They have no intention to come here. In fact, Singh plans on moving back to his native country once he finishes school.

Singh never had any personal knowledge with the United States before he came here. He got most of his information through the news media.

“I have been able to have knowledge through books and surfing the Internet,” he said.

Singh misses many things about India including the cooking. More than food though, Singh misses his family and friends, but is thankful for the connections he has in the states.

“I love my wife,” he said. “She loves me a lot. As soon as I complete my mission, we will together raise our family and live together throughout our lives to make decisions.