When I reminisce back at my immigration experience in New York City, I often think about how this whole experience and the city itself has molded me into the person that I am today. The endless experiences in New York have been unforgettable ones. It all started on May 23, 2004, when I had just turned 7 years old. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to New York’s JFK airport, where the local time is 6:17 and the temperature is 73 degrees. For your safety and comfort please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened. I’d like to thank you for joining us on this trip. Enjoy your stay in New York City” said the flight attendant. That’s where it hit me; a sudden rush of adrenaline flooded my veins. I came to the epiphany that I was in one of the greatest …show more content…
The trepidation I felt was of not having the familiarity of home. In addition, due to my young age, there was also significant trial and error when it came to moving beyond my struggles. Communication was also an obstacle that I had to overcome. I had trouble in school because I only spoke Albanian and I could not speak to friends due to cultural barriers. I wanted to move out of my box, but I was scared to take the next step. I soon discovered that there was not a buffer to prevent me from feeling discomfort. Therefore, I forced myself to learn and become social. I had to tell my mind that this was the only way. I simply listened and adapted to school and my environment. I was only in the second grade, but I could read and write much better than I thought I ever could. Socializing and interacting with books as well as education became the norm in my household. Forcing my mind to step outside of my box and broaden my spectrum of the world was initially uncomfortable but eventually pleasing and glorious. I transcended beyond my potential as a child because I allowed myself to force past my comfort. I made friends and explored the never-ending attractions of New York. I want to tie this whole coming to New York experience back to my parents, because if it wasn’t for them this wouldn’t be possible. It’s