In 1971 my grandmother’s father brought her to this country as a young girl and she had a mix of emotions. She was sad  to leave her friends, her family and her environment at the same time she was excited to see a country she had never seen before. At first it was hard for her to adjust because everything was different than what she was used to. In the Dominican Republic it’s always hot and sunny and here the seasons change and it gets really cold. She had to get used to the cold and wearing winter clothing which she had never done before. Learning English was also difficult for her and at first she didn’t want to learn it. After some time and after she adjusted to her new environment her feelings changed. She no longer feels that way and is glad that she is able to call this country her home. My grandfather on the other hand was happy and excited to come here. He came here as a teenager in 1979 and was glad to see his mother after not being able to see her for 2 years as she was working to get him and his siblings here. It was a tough experience for him at first because his first job when he got here was at a metal processing plant. He had to wake up at 5 in the morning and take multiple trains to get to Brooklyn which took him more than an hour to get to. He would later go on to attend Lehman College and then about 2 or 3 years later he would meet my grandmother. They would go on to date, then get married, and then have my mother. Both my grandparents are grateful for having come to his country and grateful to be able to call this country home.

– Kaylie Hungria

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant