Before heading off to college, I had heard that some students experienced a sense of culture shock when they arrived at college. I read about the disorientation students might feel when they moved to an unfamiliar cultural environment. While wary, I didn’t think it applied to me too much. The town I grew up in was very diverse, so I figured I’d have a smooth transition to college. I soon came to realize there’s a lot more to culture shock than being exposed to new people.
My Experience with Culture Shock
First, for me, it really wasn’t about the variety of people that I met in college. Far from what some people might think, most of the people I met at Harvard were down to earth and pretty cool. The shock factor most came into play during my classes, when I realized I was the only (or one of a few) Latinos in the class. When those moments hit me in class, I’d experience one of two feelings: pride that I had made it so far or fear that I really wasn’t good enough. Unfortunately, it was the fear that probably stuck with me the most throughout my time in college.
Cultural Guilt
Second, I also experienced a type of culture shock that I’ve come to think of as cultural guilt. The guilt came from the fact that I was afforded so much even when others had so little. I’d find myself in a nice suit or tux at a fancy event at Harvard and ask myself, “Is this real?” In that same moment, I’d feel a sense of joy and a sense of guilt. I’d feel joy about being at such an event, but then experience a nagging sense of guilt. “Did I really do enough to deserve all this?”
Overcoming Culture Shock
Even in the face of this fear and guilt, I made it through graduation. How did I overcome it all? I can tell you now that I didn’t do it by myself! The support I received came through three avenues: my family, the school, and my friends.
Family – My parents provided me with consistent encouragement, plenty of food, and happily did my laundry when I took back luggage full of dirty clothes! In all seriousness, just knowing that my parents had my back and were there to help me if I needed them was enough.
School – I vividly remember Jay and Cheryl Harris, our House Masters at Cabot House (the dorm I lived in from Sophomore through Senior year) who could constantly be found checking in as students entered and exited the dining hall. I also owe a lot to three professors, Ted Macdonald, Jim Herron, and Sarah Willen, because it meant a lot to me to see individuals I admired take an authentic interest in me.
Friends – My friends and I probably did more for one another than any of us ever realized at the time. All of us were in the same boat and came from similar backgrounds. We were all minorities, sons of immigrants or immigrants ourselves, and the first in our families to go to college. We knew exactly what each of us were feeling, and that made all the difference. Each of us focused on one another, while still keeping each other grounded.
Relevance to Educators
I have realized now more than ever how important it is for me to reflect on my own experiences in education. As a school administrator and new School Principal, I have the ability to shape our students’ futures on any given day. Many of my students will experience the same emotions I did when I went to college, and I need to do my part to ensure they are ready for what’s to some. Regardless of their backgrounds, students can thrive with strong support systems when they are away at college.
This is part of what’s made it so easy to get behind the work that YES Prep Public Schools does on a daily basis. What’s powerful about school systems like YES Prep is the work each campus does to create a strong sense of community. This isn’t just to build spirit, but to provide our students with a reliable source of encouragement and support even after high school graduation. Although we can’t always physically be there for our students, they know we’re always just a phone call away.
The picture above is of my college roommates and I, along with our Cabot House Masters – Jay and Cheryl Harris, at our college graduation.
This is Part THREE in a series. Check out Part One and Part Two.
