When individuals decide to migrate to a new nation or attend a collegiate institution that is distant from their home, the migration process influences their self-formation. Eastern European Jewish immigrants and Kalamazoo College First-Year students undergo similar migration processes. Both groups transition to a different location from their homes in order to obtain academic, social, and economic opportunities which also influences their identity formation. By analyzing the migration both groups undergo, we can observe the shared intention to persevere through the challenges presented in their “New World” in order to balance their cultural values and obtain the essential characteristics that will aid them in developing their individuality
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As the first person in my family to go to college, I had to overcome feelings of loneliness and embrace my cultural values as a form of strength to conquer any challenges I would face in a new environment for me. Transitioning into a new state, new , less diverse culture than from what I am accustomed to since my birth, has had a large effect on the way I adapt to campus and strive to succeed in my education. My push factor in pursuing a college degree is my desire to fulfill my desire for knowledge. Aside from wanting to prepare myself with skills to essentially find solutions for problems in our society today, the more I learn the more I quest for knowledge. I believe that my passion for education will provide me with economic and social opportunities in the future. As we discussed Americanization and familial duties becoming jeopardized by different cultural values and expectations, I could relate the conversation with my experience. As a Latina, arriving to Kalamazoo College was a culture shock because I had never been a place with my ethnicity is not the majority in the community. My self-formation has been influenced by the cultural and academic challenges I have been experiencing since my arrival in campus. They challenge my values and beliefs, but my familial duty as the eldest in my family is what keeps me anchored to my original goal and helps me conquer my problem in an open minded perspective. Accepting that I am now part of a community that embraces various identities and characteristics, helps me feel comfortable of my individuality and expressing my
As the first person in my family to go to college, I had to overcome feelings of loneliness and embrace my cultural values as a form of strength to conquer any challenges I would face in a new environment for me. Transitioning into a new state, new , less diverse culture than from what I am accustomed to since my birth, has had a large effect on the way I adapt to campus and strive to succeed in my education. My push factor in pursuing a college degree is my desire to fulfill my desire for knowledge. Aside from wanting to prepare myself with skills to essentially find solutions for problems in our society today, the more I learn the more I quest for knowledge. I believe that my passion for education will provide me with economic and social opportunities in the future. As we discussed Americanization and familial duties becoming jeopardized by different cultural values and expectations, I could relate the conversation with my experience. As a Latina, arriving to Kalamazoo College was a culture shock because I had never been a place with my ethnicity is not the majority in the community. My self-formation has been influenced by the cultural and academic challenges I have been experiencing since my arrival in campus. They challenge my values and beliefs, but my familial duty as the eldest in my family is what keeps me anchored to my original goal and helps me conquer my problem in an open minded perspective. Accepting that I am now part of a community that embraces various identities and characteristics, helps me feel comfortable of my individuality and expressing my