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The Duality Of The Immigrant Experience

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I have lived in two different worlds. The duality of the immigrant experience is a battle that every first-generation child has to wage. As I conquered my language barrier, a whole new world full of traditions and customs opened up. Seeking acceptance from my peers, it was hard not to adopt their culture and ignore my own in the process. However, abandonment was not an option in a family with a strong cultural identity. While there was nothing wrong with either culture, finding middle ground proved to be an ongoing journey. I specifically remember my fifth-grade fieldtrip to the state capital. Everyone brimmed with excitement as this fieldtrip marked the culmination of elementary school. While I was thrilled like the rest of my classmates,

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