Balancing Act Between Familiar Spaces And Homesickness
Help that homesickness; a first-year gives their tips on finding comfort and embracing the familiar at NYU.
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New York City, NY — by Leeann Mclemore
This story was originally published on New York University’s Washington Square News.
In the excitement of getting my acceptance letter from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, I only thought about the world of new opportunities and connections I would make after moving to New York City. However — coming from El Paso, a city in Texas bordering Mexico — I never thought to pause and consider how to mentally prepare myself for such an extreme cultural shock. I felt paradoxically isolated and homesick but I was determined to change that.
Without realizing it, each day has become easier to be away from home because I have surrounded myself with familiarity and built a sense of community for myself.
Cultural food
I rejoiced at the sight of a Mexican restaurant near campus, having been away from home for almost two weeks. I vigorously scanned ATLA’s menu for my favorite traditional Mexican dish: Torta de Milanesa. However, when the food finally arrived, I realized that the dish was all wrong: it had hamburger bread instead of bolillo, and the avocados were missing. Feeling disappointed about the meal, I left the restaurant feeling disconnected from my culture and deeply homesick.
Read the rest of the story at Washington Square News.