Growing up in Mauritius was nothing short of enriching and gratifying. Being born of such a deep history and profound culture makes me proud to be who I am. But like most immigrant stories, our pursuit for better opportunities triumphed over our longing to stay in our beautiful motherland. Leaving the only place you have ever known, and all your family and friends behind can make you feel as though you are completely alone. Not only do you leave everything important to you behind, but you also lose yourself- your identity.
Being unable to speak one word of English made adapting to the new place we now call home a bit harder. It also made it difficult to make friends, and even asking the teacher if I could use the toilet, was a struggle. But by some saving grace, my understanding of the English language developed over time, and I began to adjust to my new life. Not many people understand the identity crisis and the loss immigrants feel. There is an isolation that happens and a distrust that occurs which if misunderstood may translate to being ungrateful. However, that could not be further from the truth. It is the hardships we have had to endure that contributed to our reclusiveness. It is the belief that all can be lost if we are not careful. To better understand, think of it this way, you move to a country completely foreign to your own, and for you to integrate you develop a persona, almost like a defence mechanism. This is often created with the belief that without this persona, you will not be accepted. Many immigrants feel afraid that they will not be accepted for who they truly are. The way you speak, the language you speak, your skin colour, and even your hair is enough to turn heads and make you feel as though you are an alien. So, in order to blend in with your counterpart, you begin to work hard to lose the accent, straighten your hair to fit in and speak a little softer so as to not draw attention to yourself. However, no matter how hard you try, this façade can only last for so long. Therefore, to try and distinguish ourselves and prove our worth, we often push ourselves to strive for excellence in whatever we do and we often do this so that people would look beyond our appearance or our background. However, to be excellent does not equate to being human.
There is an isolation that happens and a distrust that occurs which if misunderstood may translate to being ungrateful. However, that could not be further from the truth. It is the hardships we have had to endure that contributed to our reclusiveness. It is the belief that all can be lost if we are not careful
As much as this fear is contributed by external factors, it is also internal. Letting go of this fear of not being accepted is deep-rooted and does not disappear overnight. Whether you are a five-year-old in Prep, a high school student, a university student, or even in your 50s, this is a common fear immigrants share. This is why spaces of diversity are a necessity. Diversity allows us to appreciate the beauty that comes from being different and opens our minds to different cultures and ways of living. Loving your culture and your roots is not something that you should feel needs to be hidden away, but it should rather be celebrated and embraced.
To be excellent does not equate to being human.
Being an immigrant has given me knowledge and wisdom that I will always be grateful for. It is my parents’ sacrifice of deciding to search for better opportunities for their children in another country that has allowed me to follow my passion. For many immigrants, there are many ‘firsts’ that happen such as; the first person to go to university in your family, the first to travel to a foreign country, and maybe even the first to own a house of your own. These ‘firsts’ are only the stepping stones of creating a legacy of our own. Whatever was once impossible can now be achieved thanks to the grandparents or parents (like my parents) who made the sacrifice of building from the ground up. Therefore, being an immigrant, myself, it hurts on a deeper level when I see immigrants being mistreated simply because they are in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families. That is why I felt compelled to write this piece, in hopes that more people may share their stories and find that more often than not we have a lot more in common than we think. Immigrant stories are so rich in overcoming adversities and a lot can be learned from their journeys if we take the time to listen and maybe see where change is needed.
The immigrant story is often overlooked. The bravery and strength of immigrants are so remarkable, and our tenacity knows no bounds. I am proud to be an immigrant as it contributes to so much of who I am. The struggles, the loss of identity, and finding yourself again are processes that many immigrants have in common. By only being our authentic selves can we truly immerse in the beautiful life of grandiose opportunities we have created for ourselves and our families. It is only then can we openly engage with our new-found community and create new memories. Being an immigrant does not limit you but rather provides you with more depth and appreciation for everything you have been able to achieve. The obstacles we have had to face as immigrants, though it has tested us in many ways, have also granted us knowledge and qualities that we would never have obtained if we had not endured and fought for a better life.
To my fellow immigrants pursuing your passions, continue to thrive and define yourself on your own terms. Be yourself but most importantly share your story in the hopes that at least one person can find comfort in your words and also find the strength to continue on their journey.
Reflective Questions
My goal with presenting you with these reflective questions is for it to act as a prompt and allow you to take a minute for yourself and sit with your thoughts. What I appreciate the most about reading a story, poem, essay or any piece of work someone has written is that it gives me the opportunity to enter their world, in some way. It also allows me to expand on ideas that I have not yet taken the time to think about and from there I can begin to develop my own thoughts. So, my hope for you is to conjure up your own ideas from ‘The Immigrant Story’, and explore what it means to you.
Now that you have explored my world, take the time to search for yours.
FOR MY FELLOW IMMIGRANTS
- What was your immigrant story?
- What were some of the hardships that you had to go through?
- Did you ever speak to anyone about your hardships?
- Are the insecurities you feel as an immigrant still with you today?
- What steps have you taken to let go of these insecurities that come with being an immigrant?
- Have you ever truly shared your story with anyone?
- How do you embrace where you come from?
- What are the qualities you have obtained from being an immigrant?
FOR MY CURIOUS AUDIENCE (NON-IMMIGRANTS)
- What made you read this piece all the way through, up to the questions?
- Do you have an immigrant in your life?
- Have you ever noticed some of these qualities from the immigrants in your life or have you come across? (e.g. reclusiveness, not open, alienation, etc.?
- What do you think you could do to make an immigrant more open to sharing their story with you?
- Although not an immigrant yourself, do you also go through some of these insecurities?
- What are your thoughts on The Immigrant Story and how has it changed (if it did) your mind about immigrants?
Background: This article of mine was published in 2021 by my faculty’s magazine. However, edits have been made to suit my developing thoughts and with no word limit restrictions.
