Immigration Narrative

18 years ago, with just about everything we owned on our backs, my mother and I were walking down a narrow road in Gaithersburg, Maryland looking for where we would stay next. We were exhausted, famished, and probably more distinguishing, we were immigrants. On that hot day, at just four years old, I had no idea that moment would become a precursor to a long journey of overcoming significant educational, social, cultural, and economic disadvantages in the United States of America. As I watched hundreds of cars pass us by disregarding the sight of a mother and her child walking alone and lost, there were many things that I did not comprehend. However, what I did understand was that, the United States of America was different from my birth country
After being teased for my Ghanaian heritage by several of my peers, I spent a lot time trying to fit in because I feared that my peers would alienate me. My earlier years in the United States felt like an uphill battle where I was trying my best to catchup with the U.S. socially and culturally. I spoke my native language of Akan at home, but learning English proved to be a hard task. I would often think back to that first day in the U.S. to remind myself of my responsibilities and the opportunities that were at my disposal. Cross-cultural experiences like mastering the English language by practicing my accent with my friends after school and repeating what my teachers would say, embracing the music style of Billie Holiday at school while my parents would teach me about West African artists like Fela Kuti at home created balance for me. The memory of that first day pushed me to embrace a multitude of perspectives that helped me overcome the social and cultural
Mary’s University become the first member of my family to graduate from college in four years. I became a dedicated student leader committed to social justice and being a voice for those who were experiencing what my family had experienced. The social, cultural, and economic barriers that I have faced in my time in the U.S. have prompted me to become a global citizen who is committed to International service and adamant about the importance of diversity in any community I am in. I plan to contribute to the campus community in a unique and positive manner that enhances campus diversity by becoming involved outside the classroom. I owe it to the aspects of my identity to join the International Club, Black Life, and getting involved with the Student Promoted Access Center for Education and Services. I look to be a catalyst for the work that is done on the University of California, San Diego