Notes

After 2 months in Pennsylvania, we moved to Manhattan, In New York City, I was surrounded by a diverse variety of cultures and languages, making it easier for me to find connections with others who understood the challenges of navigating a new environment. I excelled as a English language learner and only had to take 1 course as I had chiefly learned English way quicker than how I was doing in Shippensburg, it was safe to say that I did way better in a setting where bilingualism was celebrated rather than disregarded. However, reflecting on my time in Shippensburn revealed an unexpected silver lining: the isolation I faced there sharpened my ability to appreciate the experience and develop resilience while facing new challenges. While most people view such isolation as negative, I found that it taught me to value kindness and connection; I became deeply aware of the importance of being inclusive and supporting others who might feel alone or out of place. Those early experiences in Shippensburg, while difficult, instilled in me a sense of empathy that I carry with me today, reminding me that everyone has their own battles and that compassion can create a sense of belonging, no matter where you are.