Moving to the United States has proved to be difficult but worth it, panelists say

By Aislinn Walsh
December 14, 2018

Coming to the U.S. has been a difficult adjustment, but a fruitful endeavor said student panelists on the “Dialogue With Migrants” panel.

Hailing from four different countries, Mexico, China, Venezuela and Kenya, across the globe, the five student panelists spoke on Tuesday, Oct. 30 in the library conference room, about their journey coming to the United States.

Each panelist had a completely different story to tell and brought out a juxtaposition of feelings from the audience. They told humorous stories about adjusting to American culture and brought out an emotional side through their stories of vulnerability and rawness as an immigrant.

Sophomore political science major Rocio Gonzalez discovered that moving to the U.S would alter the way that people would see her.

“Whenever I am over there [in Mexico] I’m not considered Mexican or “Mexican enough”…, And then when I’m here [in the U.S] I’m not American, ” Gonzalez said. “When I’m here they tell me, ‘Oh you’re Mexican’. So I’m always finding myself in between those countries.”

Student panelist came from four different countries across the globe. Photo by Renin Broadnax

Each of the panelists cited various reasons for coming to the United States. Some came with their families as children, others came to further their higher education.

Freshman digital communication and social media major Alisa Lovera explained that Venezuela is in the midst of major corruption that prevented her from pursuing her education.

“Basically its a dictatorship…” Lovera said. “They closed private industries so there’s no production of food in Venezuela, everything is imported… I don’t what they did to the economy, I don’t know, I’m not an economist, but they destroyed it.”

She lived in Venezuela for 25 years, then moved to Uruguay for two-and-a-half years. There Lovera spent most of her time working to support herself, before coming to Cabrini. Following graduation, she hopes that she will be able to be able to find a job or continue postgraduate education in the U.S.

Sophomore social work and educational studies major Everlyne Ndeti, who is in formation to become a Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart, also came to the United States from Kenya to further her education. However, it was not a path that she intended for her life.

“Actually, I was never, never in my life, I had never imagined being in America,” Ndeti said.

Initially, she was set to pursue her college education in Swaziland, but under the persistent guidance of the regional superior sister, she came to Cabrini University.

Likewise, Qixuan Geng, junior chemistry major, came to the U.S. specifically for educational purposes and experienced a significant cultural shock.

However, she was quite enthralled by America’s friendly and welcoming demeanor. She was especially taken back, for example, by the interactions American professors had with their students.

“In China, if someone like your professor yells at you, it’s normal,” Geng said. “Here [in the U.S.] with professors, you can cry.”

Junior religious studies major, Mignon Toppino,  an attendee at the panel laughs at humorous stories told.  Photo by Renin Broadnax

Others panelists moved to the United States as a child with their families in search of a better life.

Overcoming the language barriers for senior education major Ahziry, who moved to the United States from Mexico at age 5, proved to be challenging at first. She learned English at school but then spoke Spanish at home. Due to constant language shift, it took her a little while to grasp and understand the language. Thankfully her family worked with each other to learn English.

 

(Left to Right) Malachai Purnell and the panelists, Ahtziry, Qixuan Geng, Evarlyne Ndeti, Rocio Gonzalez, and Alissa Lovera. Photo by Michelle Guerin.

Having overcome the challenging circumstances, many panelists agree their sacrifices, like not being able to see their family members for extended periods of time or having to work extra jobs to pay for college tuition, are quite worth it for the opportunities they have received in the United States.

Ahtziry, who has been offered a post-graduation teaching position, is looking forward to graduation because her parents will be able to see the fruits of their labor.

“I am very grateful that my parents made the big decision for me and my siblings…” Ahtziry said. “Their struggles and challenges that they have faced in the past 17 years is worth it.”

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Aislinn Walsh

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