Week 1: The Arrival by Shaun Tan

The Arrival by Shaun Tan
This comic mainly talks about a man who left his family and country for finding a better job in another exotic country. This exotic country is really stylized and weird. The author designed it like a fantasy  country where magic things happened. The man was really confused when he first arrived. He tried many different jobs, but he messed them up. He doesn't understand the language, so he had many difficulties in his work. We can always see he looking at his family photos. I am kind of related to he feeling he had. As an international student, when i went abroad for college, i had the same feeling. I was sitting in the airport, surrounded by a totally different culture. I felt helpless and lonely. I also messed things up in my freshmen year in college. It is very easy to be emotional and lonely in this kind of situation. Many people would give up because of the loneliness. But author created a kind lady who helped the man to figure out his problems. The lady was another person who left her home for a better life. Actually, when you went abroad, you really need the help from others. Things will be much easier when someone is helping you. I can say the author must have the same experience. His or her decision to set this story in a fantasy country softened the story. I am really happy to see this story has a good  ending.