Page 17 - LEGACY 2 v.1020 (UNOFFICIAL)

ple I work for—my
students and my fami-
learning. ly—and for the places I
Lastly, because I will go to in the future.
was living alone in an- It was an introspective
other country during a pandem- event in my life which
ic, I was worried about my safety and taught me how to become
better for others.
dation. health. The whole process
For two semes- On the other hand, meeting these started with challenging
ters, I handled three challenges of leaving every familiar myself in many ways like:
classes at the University of facet of life has been the motivation overcoming impostor
Michigan. and subsequent reward for coming to syndrome; overcoming
For the last nine months, Ann the US in the first place. my fear of living alone and
Arbor, Michigan has been a home to It has helped me grow profes- being away from my family;
me. Ann Arbor is a vibrant community sionally. I realized in myself how to be challenging my meekness
flexible and resourceful in terms of
that is home to the University of Mich-
and becoming someone who
F dents. It boasts outstanding public, cational system that US has is appar- in a mid-year conference;
the learning format. The kind of edu-
would realize she can speak
igan and its more-than 38,000 stu-
or someone who comes from
ently advanced and different from
private, and parochial institutions and
overcoming my low self-
a simple family with a hum-
where I came from. A different kind of
is considered the Center of Education
esteem by engaging in cultur-
ble beginning in a small
demand was required of me when I
in the Midwest.
al and friendly conversations
town, finishing school is
already a big achievement.
these, I was able to overcome these
people from different walks of
What more is attaining edu- This, by far, is was teaching in the US. Despite all and building friendships with
doubts and was be able to enjoy the
cation abroad? the farthest learning process. I realized that it is life; and challenging myself to
Ever since I can remember, our still possible to be engaged with the not be boxed based on my color,
family has always put a lot of hardwork papa’s padyak students virtually and that we can race, or accent.
and emphasis on education. I remember still teach language and culture It has made me realize that it is
each time when my parents would send online. only when I challenge myself that I can
us, their children, off to terminals when- has ever traveled. I also learned how to overcome give more—that if I was able to under-
ever we had long trips. They would Impostor Syndrome. The first time I stand myself and my greater purpose,
accompany us to entrance and scholar- joined the class, there was too much only then would I be able to under-
ship exams, competitions, applications, Aside from my teaching classes, I pressure to perform well. I felt inferior stand others’ perspectives and the
interviews, defense, and programs. also had to enroll as a student. I took knowing that my classmates were realities of the world. Only then would
We’d sometimes spend money we bare- courses such as Gender and Power in very articulate and advanced. Some- I realize that I am only a tiny speck in
ly had for transportation, food, etc. We’d Southeast Asia, Asian Solidarity Move- times, I was very apologetic for minor the world, capable of accomplishing
also lose income because of missing ments in the 20th Century, Transna- errors or inconveniences in class. I something. Only then would I under-
pagkayod and pagtinda for days. In the tional Feminisms, and Asian Pacific think it is mentally etched in me since stand how I can contribute to commu-
end, I’d see them patiently waiting for Islander Americans in the Civil Rights I am from a different culture—a mi- nity building.
us—successful or not, passed or failed. Movement which are my research nority group, a third world country. This has been the best thing I
What was unknown and seemingly interests. I had to maximize my learn- However, as I continued attending my have done in my life. I really look
ing of these in the perspective of a
impossible to my parents years ago has country which is admittedly involved classes, I gradually developed my self at this as being about finding
turned out to be both a success story in many layers of these topics. -confidence by participating in class myself. And now I have more
and a decades-long dream come true and by speaking little by little until I conviction to go out and do
despite the pandemic—that is, they As if leaving a familiar way of life was already doing presentations and what I think I always wanted
would send their child as a scholar to in my comfort zone was not enough, I leading discussions in class. Eventu- to do. I think I now have a
the US. This, by far, is the farthest pa- had to adjust to the unique academic, ally, my conversations with class- greater faith in myself, and I
pa’s padyak has ever traveled. social, and cultural challenges of mates and professors became really have discovered better what it is
living and studying in the US.
What brought me to the US to work I can do as an individual. Indeed,
and study for free was my Fulbright I had to adjust to a new academic Only then would I realize I think my family has understood
this from the outset. They had
scholarship, a grant from the Institute of system, with all the differing expecta- erased little by little the distance
International Education, US Department tions and priorities that goes with it. that I am only between me and my dreams,
of State, Bureau of Educational and At first, it felt different to teach in a despite our difficult beginnings
Cultural Affairs, and the Philippine- foreign land, not to mention that I was a tiny speck and my distant origin. ■
American Educational Foun- to teach foreigners. It was incredibly
difficult transitioning from the physi- in the world, capable of
cal classroom to distance accomplishing something.
helpful for me to rec-
ognize my voice in a
class. These reali-
zations also add
up to the other
invaluable things
I would eventually
learn and use in
my every day in
the US.
The Fulbright
experience has
also developed
me into a
better person
for the peo-
WORDS & PhotoS BY
KRISTIANA MICHAELA P. EMBATE