Personal Experience: Moving To Winston-Salem For School

Identity can be described as who you are as a person. Individuals worldwide have very different identities that are unique and fit them personally. My identity can be, and will be different from someone else because we live different lives. By moving to Winston-Salem for school, I have realized my identity as an African-American is based more on the American side than African. Going from being around about thirty African-American’s in school each day, to seeing a majority of African American students, was a huge change. Throughout my twenty years of life, my identity has transformed from being one confident African American in my high school classes to feeling frightened among many other African-Americans in college.

I was born and raised

I am the only person out of my immediate family that actually wanted to go off to school, so my family was very proud of me. College was the next step to making my future as a Labor and Delivery Nurse come true. I knew Winston-Salem State was a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) but it never really crossed my mind until I arrived. This was the first time I was nervous about changing schools. From walking in different buildings, to walking into a classroom, and even sitting beside a stranger, I found myself nervous. This was nothing new to me because I have been doing this all my life. Why was I so scared of this change and not the others? The reason behind that nervousness was because every student around looked just like me. I did not know what to think because learning and studying with Caucasians was what I was used to. Some individuals who could have been in my shoes might have acted different being around people like them, but I was terrified. On arrival, my confident ready to learn demeanor, changed to frightened and ready to go somewhere else. I was used to the class being small but walked into a class of 100 students. I was used to Caucasian teachers but walked into a class with an African-American professor. I was used to my lifestyle and environment in Forest City which turned out differently in Winston-Salem. I was no longer a part of a minority. Even though I was

I admit that I was afraid to stay around people my own color but I am glad my feelings about my own identity changed. I needed that change to finally see who I am and where I am from. Learning about Africa and the many ethnic groups in the continent is amazing. Learning this information makes me want to trace my history and find out about my own family. I truly enjoy being around individuals just like me. The bonds I have made with friends in Winston-Salem are way stronger than with friends at home. I love how everyone here treats each other like family. My decision on coming to an HBCU has been the best decision I have ever made. I am now embracing the African in my identity as an