The Immigrant Story by Anielle Rosemond

Growing up in Mauritius was nothing short of enriching and gratifying. Being born of such deep history and profound culture makes me so proud of being who I am. But like most immigrant stories, our pursuit for better opportunities triumphed over our longing to stay in our beautiful motherland. Leaving the only place you have ever known, and all your family and friends behind can make you feel as though you are completely alone. Not only do you leave everything important to you behind, but you also lose yourself, your identity.

Not being able to speak one word of the English language made it that one bit harder to adapt to the new place we now called home. It also made it difficult to make friends, and even asking the teacher if I could go to the bathroom was a struggle. But by some saving grace, my understanding of the English language developed over time, and I began to adjust to my new life. Not many people understand the identity crisis and the loss immigrants feel. There is an isolation that happens and a distrust that occurs which if misunderstood may translate as being ungrateful. However, that could not be further from the truth. It is the hardships we have had to endure that have contributed to our reclusiveness. It is the belief that all can be lost if we are not careful. Think of it this way, you move to a country completely foreign to your own, and for you to integrate, you develop a persona, almost like a defence mechanism. This is often created with the belief that without this different persona, you will not be accepted. Many immigrants feel afraid that they will not be accepted for who they truly are. The way you speak, the language you speak, your skin colour, and even your hair is enough to turn heads and make you feel as though you are an alien. So you begin to work hard to lose the accent, straighten your hair to fit in, and speak a little softer so as to not draw attention to yourself. Therefore, to distinguish from these clear dissimilarities, we pursue excellence in other areas such as education, sports, and music. These become our outlet for self-expression, as well as a way for people to see us beyond our appearance or our background.

As much as this fear is contributed by external factors, it is also internal. Letting go of this fear of not being accepted is deep-rooted and does not disappear overnight. Whether you are five years old in Prep, a high school student, a university student, and even in your 50s, this is a common fear immigrants share. This is why spaces of diversity are a necessity. Diversity allows us to appreciate the beauty that comes from being different and opens our minds to different cultures. Loving your culture and your roots is not something that you should feel needs to be hidden away, but it should rather be celebrated and embraced. University is the perfect place to meet people from all different backgrounds and increase our understanding of different cultures. Especially a university like QUT which encourages inclusivity and self-expression.

Being an immigrant has given me knowledge and wisdom that I will always be grateful for. It is my parents’ sacrifice of deciding to search for better opportunities for their children in another country that has allowed me to follow my passion. For many immigrants, there are many ‘firsts’ that happen such as: the first person to go to university in your family, the first to travel to a foreign country, and maybe even the first to own a house of your own. These ‘firsts’ are only a stepping stone of creating a legacy of our own. Whatever was once impossible can now be achieved thanks to the grandparents or parents (like my parents) who made the sacrifice of building from the ground up. Therefore, being an immigrant myself, it hurts on a deeper level when you see immigrants being mistreated simply because they are in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families. This is why I find studying law so interesting because as law students, we have the opportunity to apply our knowledge to causes that are important to us and create change. As I have progressed throughout my law degree, I have found that we are not limited to the walls of a university classroom but rather are encouraged to use the tools we have been provided with and take initiative. Immigrants’ stories are so rich in overcoming adversities and a lot can be learned from their journeys if we take the time to listen and maybe see where change is needed. The immigrant story is often overlooked. The bravery and strength of immigrants are so remarkable, and our tenacity knows no bounds. I am proud to be an immigrant as it contributes so much to who I am as a person. The struggles, the loss of identity, and finding yourself again are processes that many immigrants have in common. By only being our authentic selves can we truly immerse in the beautiful life of grandiose opportunities we have created for ourselves and our families. It is only then can we openly engage with our new-found community and create new memories. Being an immigrant does not limit you but rather provides you with more depth and appreciation for everything you have been able to achieve. The obstacles we have had to face as immigrants, though it has tested us in many ways, has also granted us knowledge and qualities which we would never have obtained without these obstacles.

To my fellow immigrants pursuing their passion at university: continue to thrive and define yourself on your own terms. Be yourself but most importantly, share your story in the hopes that at least one person can find comfort in your words and also find the strength to continue on their journey.