“You’re a minority of a minority of a minority,” Mr. Moreno scoffed at me.
“What does that even mean?” I asked innocently.
“You’re a first-generation, female, Vietnamese college student. Good Luck,” he elaborated.
At that time, I did not really understand what Mr. Moreno- my math teacher- was trying to say about my minority status. Although his words did not discourage me, it made me doubt my chances of going to a college. Some months later, senior year happened like lightning. College applications deadlines came and passed like a whirlwind. When I learned that I had gotten into an out-of-state college on a full ride scholarship, Moreno’s words echoed once more. However, my joy at in getting into college propelled me to brush his words aside; I held no caution for the next few month’s coming storm until it hit.
By my third week at Colgate University- a predominately white college filled with privileged upper-middle-class and wealthy elite children- I noticed how I stood out in the way I looked, dressed, and talked. Moving from California to Central New York to attend …show more content…
But, my first two months at Colgate proved me wrong. I was at my lowest during that time as I thought I would never make friends because of all my differences. I remember shutting myself away in my room, only emerging when I must attend class. One day, my journal reminded me of my goal and passion of helping people understand and appreciate one another. It further reminded me that I am strong-minded, strong-willed and I am very very optimistic person deep on the inside. Looking through my journal and remember how I have faced many obstacles to get into college marked the turning point of my semester: I started opening up, letting myself be vulnerable as I held conversations with people different from me. Slowly, I began to be
“What does that even mean?” I asked innocently.
“You’re a first-generation, female, Vietnamese college student. Good Luck,” he elaborated.
At that time, I did not really understand what Mr. Moreno- my math teacher- was trying to say about my minority status. Although his words did not discourage me, it made me doubt my chances of going to a college. Some months later, senior year happened like lightning. College applications deadlines came and passed like a whirlwind. When I learned that I had gotten into an out-of-state college on a full ride scholarship, Moreno’s words echoed once more. However, my joy at in getting into college propelled me to brush his words aside; I held no caution for the next few month’s coming storm until it hit.
By my third week at Colgate University- a predominately white college filled with privileged upper-middle-class and wealthy elite children- I noticed how I stood out in the way I looked, dressed, and talked. Moving from California to Central New York to attend …show more content…
But, my first two months at Colgate proved me wrong. I was at my lowest during that time as I thought I would never make friends because of all my differences. I remember shutting myself away in my room, only emerging when I must attend class. One day, my journal reminded me of my goal and passion of helping people understand and appreciate one another. It further reminded me that I am strong-minded, strong-willed and I am very very optimistic person deep on the inside. Looking through my journal and remember how I have faced many obstacles to get into college marked the turning point of my semester: I started opening up, letting myself be vulnerable as I held conversations with people different from me. Slowly, I began to be