Coming to America

by Mimi Zhou associate editor

Fatima Jahangir

Pakistani exchange student and junior Fatima Jahangir knew that studying abroad would afford her many opportunities and open new doors. But, moving from her hometown of Quetta, in western Pakistan, came with its challenges.

“You have to fill out an online and application to see if you’re eligible,” Jahangir said. “Then, we were called to Karachi, the capital city, and we had a lot of tests and an interview. We wrote a letter to our host family.”

Based on these factors, candidates were selected and assigned to various cities across the U.S. Jahangir arrived in St. Louis in early August. But while it took time to become acclimated, Janahgir eventually found her place.

“The first month was terrible,” Jahangir said. “Because I was adjusting here, everything was different — and homesickness. But [now] it’s like a vacation with homework. I have friends here and I have a whole family here. [Coming to the U.S.], I wanted to explore and [meet] new people. [With] my host family and my friends, we have made a lot of cool memories.”

In addition to her desire of interacting with different people, Jahangir also hoped to gain valuable experiences for future success.

“There’s a lot of benefits if you an exchange program,” Jahangir said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it’s going to help me a lot in my future in my college [accents for] resume. So I have a higher chances of getting into a good college."

Jahangir came to the U.S. seeking new opportunities and avenues. Though her home country of Pakistan was not limited in opportunity, it was dwarfed by the vast array of possibilities in the U.S.

“I just wanted to do the best for my future,” Jahangir said. “There are a lot of people [who] choose to come here so they have better opportunities.”

An individual’s story is created by the legacy their ancestors left, written by the language they speak, absorbed by the meals they eat and molded by the culture one fosters around them. Just like America, an individual's story is a melting pot of experiences. In the following pages, we examine what constitutes the American experience — why individuals come to America and how their original cultures transform upon arrival. We explore how various aspects of identity undergo certain changes to find a comfortable place in the larger American story. We look at how cultures can be diminished and amplified.

Vittorio Panvini Rosati

For Italian exchange student and senior Vittorio Panvini Rosati, his participation in a year-long exchange program seemed like fate. Growing up in Arcore, a small town in northern Italy, Panvini Rosati enrolled in an exchange program after a friend did the same. He was randomly assigned to live in the Ladue school district in St. Louis.

“I signed up for the program one day before it ended,” Panvini Rosati said. “I was very lucky because they told me there was no space. But a week later, they called me. One of the students wasn’t going anymore, so they could take me.”

We begin by discussing the motivations and opportunities behind individuals coming to America. Next, we trace the impact of language and cuisine. Finally, we investigate the role that names play in creating a unique identity within the context of culture. America's strength comes from the vast diversity of experiences that its inhabitants bring. Chapter by chapter, the American story continues to be written.

Panvini Rosati moved to the U.S. in early August, leaving behind his life in Italy. After arriving, Panvini Rosati quickly noticed the cultural contrasts between Italy and his new home.

“In Italy, [students] stay in one classroom and the teacher changes,” Panvini Rosati said. “[Also], in Italy, we basically have one kind of food. But here you can [eat] wherever you want, there are restaurants for each type [of food]. You can really see the different cultures.”

American culture is very distinct in many aspects, especially education. As Panvini Rosati notes, this fosters a productive environment.

“You can choose your classes,” Panvini Rosati said. “It’s not like that in Italy. You have less pressure here and more time for yourself to develop. I feel like that’s why Americans are innovative and more creative. In Italy, we are very strict and in America, there is so much freedom.”

Panvini’s decision to become a foreign exchange student was also driven by his lifelong goal of going to college in the U.S. He believes that more doors will be opened in America.

“If I’m going anywhere outside of Italy, it’s going to be the U.S.,” Panvini Rosati said. “I want to go to college here. All my dreams have been [here]. It’s more achievable to reach my goals; I have more opportunities here. I want to open a company and help people. I want to be someone one day.”