“Who is my biggest role model? My mom. She smiles no matter what she goes through. She has worked hard in life. She smiles for us. We had 9/11, and because of that, we went through a deep recession. All the opportunities were taken away- finding a job became difficult. You get depressed a lot. You have to make sure you have good strong family support. Within years I had another opportunity. Working hard and family support got me through. Middle school was the hardest for me. You didn’t know the culture or you were trying to adjust to the culture. Then you grow up and try to assimilate, you try to understand cultures. I did not fit in. Because of my ESL score. I was put into a different class. High school was the best part of my life. I finally got the same friends year over year, over year, over year. Friendship in a stimulating environment, and in any country you go to is the key to your growth in life.” (Morris Plains, New Jersey). 

Interviewed by: Shreya Shah