How to Handle Being Surrounded By Privilege
I've gone through two huge moves in my life: once when I left Brazil when I was 9 and settled in Miami, and again when I left Miami to come to Tufts. I love Tufts more than I ever thought I'd love any school, but I can honestly say it was harder getting used to being here than adjusting to a whole new country. Miami was hot like Brazil (a little too hot tbh), I basically only knew other Latinos, and the vibrant culture was familiar.
Coming to Massachusetts, on the other hand, was a complete shock - I met more white Americans than I ever had in my entire life, and more rich people than I thought existed. Now, don't get me wrong. One of the most wonderful things about Tufts is that most people are really down-to-earth, so you usually don't know whether you're chilling with someone like you, or someone who's dad owns a corporation. But part of you knows that no matter how down-to-earth people are, you're still one of the few low-income and first-gen students on campus.
During orientation week, I heard people talking about their summers. I lost count of how many people worked in fancy law offices, or spent months in Europe, or got to do groundbreaking medical research in a lab owned by a distant relative.
HOW??? How is it possible that these people get these mind-blowing opportunities and can talk about them so casually?? My most exciting summer consisted of a few trips to the beach, but mostly just a LOT of Netflix.
HOW do you deal with that when you come from a completely different world?
If you come from a similar background as me, you'll likely feel lost at some point, and I'll admit that at times, it was hard to even feel worthy. BUT, luckily for us, Tufts has several spaces that I've grown to love, like the Latino Center, the LGBT Center, First-Gen Council, and QuestBridge. There might not be a lot of first-gen, low-income students here, but there are enough that we find each other and form a wonderful community.
When I found that support, I realized that 1) I'm here for a reason. I was admitted into this school because they valued my voice and my experiences, no matter how different or "lesser" they might feel at times. 2) No one goes through the same experiences!! Nobody!! So I know a lot more than plenty of these privileged folks. It sounds cheesy, but you are completely unique, original, and iconic, no matter your background.
In all honesty, it's still hard sometimes when I hear people talking about their lives, and mine seems so much more complicated and bogged down by stuff they've never ever gone through. But I like to think that makes me stronger, and allows me to fill Tufts with a much-needed perspective.
So whether you're on campus now or will be on campus eventually, just know, you are not alone. You are important. And you are loved, even if it's by a stranger like me who feels the struggle!