Sajal G

The day I arrived in the United States from India, I carried something more than my luggage through the airport—an uncertainty of having to build a life in a place I barely knew. I was excited to start a new life in a new place, but I was also nervous about the kind of life that was ahead.

Before that moment, I was surrounded by people I knew in a place I was familiar with, following the culture I understood without having to think about it. In India, I never had to think about how to fit in. I understood the unspoken rules of everyday life and had a strong support system—my family—to guide me when I made mistakes. However, that was about to change.

I set foot in Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in May 2022, ready to adapt to a completely new country. My first real test came when I stepped into my new school—Johns Creek High School. I saw unfamiliar faces, an unfamiliar education system, and an unfamiliar environment. I still recall the days I sat alone during lunch, wondering how to fit in. I started asking questions and communicating with people around me.

I remember when I first became friends with someone who would eventually become one of my closest friends in high school. I met her at our school’s book club. I thought our “friendship” would be confined to the club’s meeting times. But I was wrong. What started as a friendship within a club became much more meaningful. Over time, she became one of my best friends, and when my birthday came around, inviting her to my birthday party felt completely natural.

Slowly, I began to find my footing in my new environment. My teachers became guides who helped me find confidence during periods of doubt. I was also lucky enough to make some lovely friends who stayed with me until I graduated. The unfamiliar began to feel familiar.

But a few things stayed with me. I still speak my native language at home, eat Indian food, and celebrate my traditional festivals.

I learned that when I moved to the United States, I did not leave my Indian culture behind. I carried both cultures with me. This experience shaped the person I am today—confident, brave, and flexible. I did not lose who I was; instead, I allowed myself to grow.