The First Generation Journey

By Jennica So

Throughout my years in schooling, I always felt like the odd one out. My parents, who are both from Cambodia, immigrated here and went straight to a career oriented lifestyle. Since they were new to America, they needed to make money to take care of me and my siblings. My first language was Khmer and it was hard integrating English into my daily life as a child because my parents were also learning English. As I began my journey into elementary school, English became my main language but I was still playing catch up with the other students in my year because of the language barrier. Luckily, there were programs that would take me away from class to help with my reading and language skills. 

After switching elementary schools, I realized how different my home life and education was from the students at my new school. Their parents were more engaged in their education and the school’s community. Most parents would pick up their kids after school, while I would usually go to the library then walk to my mother’s coffee shop and help her close up. Other times parents would volunteer at school events and field trips. I would also notice parents stop by and watch their kids during school concerts or spelling bees. I knew that my parents were busy and had no clue how to help me with what I was learning in school. However, I couldn’t help but be envious of how different my life was compared to everyone else's. My parents had it ingrained in my mind that I needed to do well in school, but it felt very frustrating when it came to things that I needed help with. I remember that I would go to the library after school to do my homework with friends, so that if I needed help I had someone to ask. At a young age, I realized that I needed to take my education in my own hands because my parents weren’t educated in America and couldn’t provide me with those important resources.