Alice Ishikava

The day my mom told me we would be moving to the US, I felt completely overwhelmed with emotion. At first, I was filled with excitement, and my mind couldn't stop thinking about the endless possibilities that came with simply moving to America. As we began the process of moving, I started feeling scared about the inevitable culture shock that awaited me in San Antonio, Texas. Surprisingly, as I arrived, everything seemed to work out, and the changes were less harsh than I had prepared myself for. I quickly found my place and friends that I instantly clicked with. I love the life my family and I have built for ourselves in the US, however, I will forever carry the multicultural perspective that comes from being an international student. I carry my Brazilian culture through many aspects of my life, including my education at UGA.

I am an intended media and entertainment major, hoping to pursue a minor in Portuguese as well. Taking advanced Portuguese classes over the last year has allowed me to stay in touch with my culture, reinforced my first language, and given me a community to practice with.

Even though I am miles away from my home, I have learned to navigate through changes in a way that fulfills me. Having moved from Brazil to Texas and now to Georgia, my life feels ever-changing and often unstable, but it has taught me endless lessons. Finding a home away from home at UGA feels like the start of a bright new chapter, and I now feel ready to write it on my own.