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Growing up as a child to two immigrants from France and Cuba, I always felt like I never had a solidified place at either table. I felt much too French around other Cuban kids, yet not nearly French enough for my French family. Ultimately, my siblings and I ended up being the notorious ‘Americans’ to both sides. Despite all this, I would not change being multicultural for anything. Even though there is its own unique set of problems being from more than one background, I have always loved creating new traditions from the old, melding years of history from both my parent's sides of the family and creating something new.

One of these mixed traditions is how my family celebrates Noche Buena, a Hispanic tradition on Christmas Eve. While we include all the standard aspects of the holiday, we also add different French elements. Where we are serving pork and plantains, we are also serving crepes and the customary “Buche de noel”, a French originated chocolate cake that resembles a tree log. The night celebrates both cultures and the house is filled with French and Spanish dialogue and a burst of universal laughter. My Tia’s and Abuela gossiped with my French aunts and grandmother about everyone in the room, not caring about where the others come from but that they are, most importantly, family. All in all, being multicultural is something that has been prevalent in every decision I make, each holiday I celebrate, and is vital in how I am able to connect with the world.

Cultural foods have always contributed to strengthening my relationship to my various cultures, specifically of French, Tunisian, and Russian heritage. I was born in Paris and moved to Miami at just three years-old, allowing me to grow up in the cultural melting pot of Florida. Throughout my upbringing in this city, my dad has always kept in close contact with his Tunisian roots, similar to my mom who has held her Russian culture close to heart. Their love for their own countries encouraged me to delve into French culture and its famous cuisine, essentially motivating me to experiment with different recipes and understand their cultural significance.

Through this insight, our family dinner table is often rotating with foods representing several countries and consists of contrasting flavors. Some days, our meals consist of bowls of couscous marinated in harissa with briks and Tunisian salads on the side. In addition, blinis are often served and baskets of baguettes as well. Yet, American foods are also present on our table since this a large part of my cultural upbringing, reflecting the influence that an individual’s environment has on their diet and eating habits. Through balancing my family’s cultural roots with our current atmosphere, I am able to appreciate all faces of my cultural identity and preserve areas of the world I am distant from.

Some advice I can give to a foreign relative who is coming to the United States is to always stay true to your roots and to keep an open mind. Since you are coming into a new country, it is always important to know that there may be culture clashes and/or culture shock. Do not let this intimidate you to become embarrassed or dislike your culture and heritage because one of the great things about the US is the fact that there are a multitude of cultures and that we are all one big “melting pot” that embraces diversity and differences. Even though there may be some people who are unwelcoming, there are others who are friendly and want to welcome you and what you can bring to America. Another piece of advice I would give is that it is ok to not understand English and to always ask for help when you are unsure about something, whether it be in school or in life. If you are too embarrassed to ask, try asking someone like a counselor, family member, or friend that you trust to help you understand and learn.

Another piece of advice that I have to better help you with the American education system is to try and be open to new experiences and events offered by American schools. Try and attend games and festivities as it can help you meet new people and make friends that care for you. You should also try, if you are comfortable, any A.P., honors, or advanced classes as it can help with your GPA, as well as help you later on with your future endeavors because it never hurts to try. Additionally, you should also remember to be yourself and not let anyone make you become something that you are not because you are perfect the way you are. School can be rough sometimes. You may get frustrated, want to cry, and give up but just know that you can do it and these obstacles that you are going through will only help you become a much better and stronger person. With that in mind, always try and stay positive as it can help you have a better mindset and mentality both in life and in school. If you can not, that is okay as well because it is ok to feel down sometimes, you are human. Know that you are valuable and you can make it.

I would also like to say that you should try to plan your future while you are in school. If you are planning on going to college in the US, try and research possible colleges and majors that best fit. Find your interests and make sure that you do some extracurriculars as not only can they be fun to do, but can also help you be seen by colleges as someone who is determined and caring. Also, make sure to study to help your grades and try to take any tests that colleges deemed necessary, such as the SAT and ACT, which can help improve your chances of getting into your dream college. You should try and apply for scholarships to help fund your education. I know this all seems intimidating, but I promise you that it will all be worth it when you receive that email or postage and realize you got in. That is why it is always important to STUDY and to pursue your own interests. You can form/attend study groups and tutoring sessions which not only help your grades, but also introduce you to new people and help you make new friends. It will be hard at first, but as long as you stay committed and be yourself, I promise you that you will have an amazing time here in the US and you will make so many new memories and friends.

As the first-generation daughter of two immigrant parents, navigating the American educational system has always been a challenge. Although I was born and raised in the United States, I still felt, at times, that I was an indirect immigrant alongside my parents. The educational system proved to not only be an obstacle, but also a learning experience for my parents and I. This especially proves to be challenging as I begin to navigate applying to college. 

While most people have their parents to turn to when they get confused with the application system, I turned to the internet. I felt as if I was at a disadvantage because my peers seemed to navigate the process easily whilst I didn’t even know where to begin. Because of this, I began my research through YouTube videos and articles searching for information my classmates refused to share. I began attending workshops dedicated to providing tips for college applications, and met with advisors. I took tours of campuses, and began putting together my own college lists while researching meticulously. Though I am privileged to have the opportunity to attend college, I also feel as though I am on a different level in comparison to my classmates because of my lack of knowledge. 

On the other hand, being a first-generation college student has its benefits. For one, I have been able to go into this experience with the utmost pride and gratitude for being able to attend college, knowing that my parents did not have the same experiences. I am grateful for their struggles that led me to where I am now. I also am grateful for the simple fact that colleges don’t directly put me at a disadvantage because of this. I have been able to gain access to many resources from colleges specifically that are looking to educate the public on the application process. It reminds me that despite feeling alone, I have a large support system trying to see me succeed. 

The college application process can prove to be a struggle for those who are immigrants - either indirectly or not. In my experience, as I continue to delve deeper into the process, I have learned that starting from a different point than my peers does not restrain me from the goals I want to accomplish. No matter the disadvantages presented, I am proud of the person they have shaped me into. My heritage is something I cherish and hold deeply to myself. It relieves me knowing that despite being a first-generation student, I am still capable of everything my peers are capable of. 

I myself am not an immigrant, I am but a child to immigrant parents. My parents learned to speak English and became familiar with the way American culture runs. School was never an issue for us, for we understood all the documents and requirements. I cannot say the same for my friend though. She moved to Miami, FL when she was in third grade. Because she was moving from Venezuela, a country whose education system works differently, she was held back a year and practically had to repeat third grade. Upon arrival her parents spoke only Spanish, and so did she. Because of the ESOL program in our school she was able to quickly learn and break the language barrier. 

Her parents, however, were not as fortunate. Since Miami is a predominantly Hispanic community, you can survive by speaking only Spanish. For schools, however, you need English. School presentations, orientations, and documents all come in English. My friend was faced with the laborious task of translating and explaining everything her parents had to know. When it came to everyday culture they were surviving in the Hispanic Miami, but when it came to school, my friend had a lot on her shoulders. Fortunately for her, some of her teachers spoke Spanish so her teacher-parent conferences went smoothly. For those teachers that spoke only English, it was more of a challenge. She sometimes had to miss hangouts and morning classes to be able to translate for her parents. 

Once her parents began mastering English, her life consisted of less stress. Her parents were now able to help her navigate through the school system. Her outside life was nowhere near as stressful. Living in a place that had a lot of other Venezuelan immigrants created an environment similar to the one she had back home. Ignoring the obvious economic differences, the social ambiance was welcoming and supportive. Despite having a rough landing into the school system her surroundings provided a softer landing, providing her with everything she needed to become who she is today, a thriving and parent-supported student in the MDCPS system.