Jan. 16, 2026
By Eda Aktas
Staff Writer
Growing up in Türkiye, I never worried about fitting in. I didn’t care about how many friends I had or what people thought of me.
I didn’t realize how precious it was to tease my brother when he came home from work, eat the dumplings my grandmother prepared for me at our Friday family dinners or feel the joy that national holidays brought me.
Those instances never seemed to matter until I lost them. It was only after moving across continents and leaving years of memories behind that I truly understood their importance.
July 26, 2023, marked a turning point in my life, as it was the day I immigrated to the United States from Türkiye. I remember the tears in my family’s eyes as my mom and I headed for our new home.
I was convinced my life was ending. Even if I returned to Türkiye, nothing would be the same. I haven’t had the chance to go back yet anyway.
Just like that, I started a new life in America. I had low expectations, but I did not anticipate the extent of my difficulties.
My mother’s English was limited, so she relied on me to communicate. Enrolling in school, opening a bank account, finding a place to live and even small tasks like going to the grocery store fell on my shoulders.
The isolation I experienced exposed me to a side of myself I am just beginning to discover.
On top of that, I was struggling socially at school because my hardships and loneliness pushed me into a negative mindset.
I took out my frustration on my family back in Türkiye, which led to us constantly arguing. It got to the point where my mother thought she ruined my life by bringing me to the United States.
Hearing my mom express her hopelessness shifted something in me, so I tried to think positively about our situation. For instance, I noticed that doing “adult” tasks on my own helped me mature. Already, I feel better prepared for the future because of the responsibilities I have.
I also learned to be comfortable in my discomfort, so I no longer feel the need to avoid my surroundings all the time.
Furthermore, because of the adversity I faced, I have become more empathetic. The isolation I experienced exposed me to a side of myself I am just beginning to discover.
I used to think people who struggled in life were simply exaggerating, but now I recognize that everyone faces challenges that often have a significant impact on them.
I better understand myself, but there is always room for personal growth. My immigration story helped me recognize that my life was not valuable because I had everything I wanted; it is worthwhile because it is my life.
Two-and-a-half years after coming to America, I realize I have much more to live for, and that leaving my homeland was not the end of my story. It was just the beginning, and I look forward to writing the next chapter.
