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Student Life

20 Things Every Immigrant Knows Too Well

"When are you coming back?"

Angelika Pokovba

May 18, 2016

City College of New York

20 Things Every Immigrant Knows Too Well

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We are not rootless; we all come from somewhere. For some, it is deep-rooted in our heritage; for others, we have lineage somewhere else, home. While we love where we come from, we kept our options open and got this far. But that doesn't take away the occasional withdrawals, tears and heartaches. Even though sometimes it seems like everything happened in an entire other life, it comes back in moments with fine details. Those who leave remember most.

1. Every Skype call starts with, "Do you hear me?" You might even have Skype Premium. That's on top of Whatsapp and Viber.

2. You have used calling cards and yes, country codes are a thing!

3. Your house is filled with cultural paraphernalia that your relatives send over.

4. Speaking of relatives, they also send over food as if you were starving and just need that kielbasa.

5. To be fair, it tastes different at home. You can prepare the same dishes over and over, and they just don't taste the same. Pizza in Italy is not pizza in Little Italy. It's just not.

6. Cultural clothes and everything branded with your country's name is a thing too!

7. Your relatives always ask about your relationship status.

8. There's always the one relative that just learned to use social media and sends you emojis every day.

9. You have international TV channels.

10. You stop recognizing modern artists and celebrities.

11. Every once in a while, you binge-listen to songs from the good ol' country. It only takes one.

12. From there you start looking at pictures, videos, etc., and tears come running down.

13. It hurts how expensive airplane tickets are...

14. So going home is your "vacation," which means you don't have a vacation.

15. You recognize your relatives, but you stop recognizing the little ones in town because they were probably born after you left.

16. When did everyone get married without you?

17. While you're home, the sweet bread of homeland lures you, and you consider staying, but you know you're better off not.

18. Leaving is just like the scene when Mufasa died. Everyone cries. Half of the town comes over. Just let me go!

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19. You never know how to answer, "When are you coming back forever?"

20. "Home" is always only one place.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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20 Things Every Immigrant Knows Too Well

"When are you coming back?"

1. Every Skype call starts with, "Do you hear me?" You might even have Skype Premium. That's on top of Whatsapp and Viber.

7. Your relatives always ask about your relationship status.8. There's always the one relative that just learned to use social media and sends you emojis every day.

9. You have international TV channels.10. You stop recognizing modern artists and celebrities.11. Every once in a while, you binge-listen to songs from the good ol' country. It only takes one.12. From there you start looking at pictures, videos, etc., and tears come running down.

13. It hurts how expensive airplane tickets are...14. So going home is your "vacation," which means you don't have a vacation.15. You recognize your relatives, but you stop recognizing the little ones in town because they were probably born after you left.

16. When did everyone get married without you?

17. While you're home, the sweet bread of homeland lures you, and you consider staying, but you know you're better off not.18. Leaving is just like the scene when Mufasa died. Everyone cries. Half of the town comes over. Just let me go!

19. You never know how to answer, "When are you coming back forever?"20. "Home" is always only one place.

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Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

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A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day not at the lake.

You know the best beaches and coves to go to.

You have no patience for the guy who can't back his trailer into the water right.

Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

The cooler is always packed, mostly with beer.

Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.

You have no problem with peeing in the water.

You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.

Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

1. My school is incredibly unique.

2. I am not just a number at my school.

3. I feel like I am contributing something to the community.

5. My professors know me and I feel that I can easily communicate with them.

6. The incredible people I've met

7. Opportunities

8. Students want to learn

9. Ability to join a sorority and have a house full of people I know I can talk to anytime I need to

10. I have figured out how I learn best because my school offers so many different ways of learning.

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7. Your relatives always ask about your relationship status.

8. There's always the one relative that just learned to use social media and sends you emojis every day.

9. You have international TV channels.

10. You stop recognizing modern artists and celebrities.

11. Every once in a while, you binge-listen to songs from the good ol' country. It only takes one.

12. From there you start looking at pictures, videos, etc., and tears come running down.

13. It hurts how expensive airplane tickets are...

14. So going home is your "vacation," which means you don't have a vacation.

15. You recognize your relatives, but you stop recognizing the little ones in town because they were probably born after you left.

17. While you're home, the sweet bread of homeland lures you, and you consider staying, but you know you're better off not.

18. Leaving is just like the scene when Mufasa died. Everyone cries. Half of the town comes over. Just let me go!

19. You never know how to answer, "When are you coming back forever?"

20. "Home" is always only one place.

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