Hi first generations students, this one is for you!
I am a first generation student whose parents are refugees of war
Living in America was not easy for them
Nor for me
I struggled to understand the push and pull factors of my family
One being go to college and the other being you have family demands and obligations
Choose one.
We struggled as the “new Americans”
To fit in and navigate the systems that had been put in place before us
Thinking getting a college degree meant we had an American dream or can achieve one
And then not realizing we truly need to be advocates for ourselves
No one taught us that
Taught us how to think critically
Taught us what financial aid look like
Taught us to be academically prepared and ready
Taught us to voice our thoughts and opinions
People doubted us, even our families
As some families are practical and money driven
Others had more understanding and supportive
I had two separate identities
One for the family and one for school
No one understood what college meant in my family
How hard it was to not be able to ask mom and dad to revise my papers
How they could not understand what I was studying
But deep down I knew my passions
I knew gaining soft skills were more important
I knew
I too, can do it!
So, Hi-five First Gen!
You are awesome!
Maybe someone told you or has not told you
But you truly are amazing for all the challenges and hard work. It will pay off.
Go First Gen Go! I’m First!
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