I am a proud Western Michigan University alumnus and a first-generation college student. Not only was I a first-generation college student, but I am also a first-generation Arab American.
I was raised by my immigrant parents who came to the United States from Palestine (now Israel). They had five daughters and one son, and as a daughter in an Arabic family, I was not supposed to go to college. I was supposed to marry and start a family.
My older sister was the first one to break the mold and went to college immediately after graduating high school. I followed her lead and chose Western Michigan University to earn a bachelor’s degree and learn about life. My father was not happy with our decision, but since we received financial aid and earned the grades to be accepted into college, he didn’t push back too much with us.
Knowing very little about college—culture, vernacular and college norms—was very intimidating to me. I remember spending the day before orientation reading the 2-inch-thick college catalog to prepare, as I didn’t want to look stupid.
In the second week of college, I remember walking to my residence hall and seeing a large group of students in what looked to be a party. There were tables with signs on them with Greek letters and lots of balloons flying, music playing and students in similar colored shirts. A young man bounced towards me, and with a big smile on his face, he asked, “Are you Greek?” I looked at him quizzically and replied, “No, I’m Arabic.” That my reader, is an example of college life as a first-generation student!