Have you ever wondered what would happen if an alien asked what you identified as nationality wise? In the case of many children in America who were either brought from another country or born as a second generation, they are the aliens, not belonging here nor there. Most would immediately reply with “I am American,” but having to explain what it means to be American goes beyond adding the letter N to America. What are the requirements or what entitles someone to be able to have the ability to identify as an American? If they are not American but wish to be, what is the process of becoming American? These two questions are what started my interest in the question: How does culture and identity play a role in code switching and navigating multiple languages while becoming an American? This is important to sociology because in the coming years there will be an increase in immigrants and undocumented people who are willing to risk it all to have a brighter tomorrow here in America. Being able to identify with others around you is crucial because it creates a sense of community, and to those who cannot identify as American, then a sense of feeling out of place is the only thing they feel.

I came to America when I was four years of age, and even now I still do not identify as an American, but it would be interesting to see how someone would identify only being 1-5 years here in America. Personally, I always felt that there was a sense of belonging while also feeling like a stranger where the majority of people do not look like me, talk like me, or dress like me. This sensation of having one foot in the door and wanting to leave and find a place where I belong is an ongoing sensation simply due to the fact that I cannot connect with those around me because of the cultural difference between us. Yes, it is safe to say that I have tried on multiple occasions and different styles of socializing with others, but the results are the same nonetheless, disappointing. I say disappointing because I want to feel like I can be my true self and be at peace with my identity. I am a proud Mexican whose parents brought me here for a better future than they ever had, but the ongoing battle of hiding my identity in a hostile environment can be damaging in the long run. I am running out of patience and only wish to be given smiles and proper respect without those who stare at me thinking impure thoughts about me prior to even meeting me, it is incredibly exhausting.

After I am finished with school, I plan on searching for a career that I can put my heart and soul into. I want to help those who have shared similar experiences in pursuing a higher education in order to better their lives.

I am currently working for Degrees of Change who partners with the company who gave my scholarship that is giving me the opprotunity to even have a degree. The Act Six scholarship allowed me to dream big and pursue my life goals. This gives me the ability to use my talents to help people have hope and to dream as big as I did.

Overall, I am excited to see where the journey of life is going to take me and feel extremely grateful for all that Degrees of Change and PLU has given me the last four years.