Suki Kim’s essay, “Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits” reveals the cruel truth  she faced as she went from riches to rags emigrating from South Korea to Queens, New York. From birth, Suki Kim was raised to live the luxurious life as a millionaire but everything suddenly became dark when one day her father had become bankrupt. This triggered a sudden move to America since bankruptcy was punishable by a jail term at the time. Although they were able to find a house owned by A Korean family, it was a challenge for her to change her princess-like mentality which included chauffeurs, maids, and governesses. She also learned the term “Asian” which she found quite offensive because yellow skin reminded her of the Forsythia flowers that represented the lower class when she was still in Korea. She realized the major difference in cultures between America and Korea when she noticed the formalities in Korean classrooms versus American classrooms. Indeed, Americans were deemed much more lenient and liberal when she saw a couple french kissing during class while the teacher was completely ignored. She began to become aware of the difference in classes even within her own Korean ethnicity when she found out that the wealthier Korean students didn’t go to public school in queens and most of her fellow Korean ESL students were all those who would’ve placed in lower class if they were still in Korea. Overall, Suki Kim has lived through the hardships and challenges that she faced as she transitioned from rich to poor. Moreover, this experience has taught an interested yet cruel reality of the division between classes.