Belonging is Hard Work: Food & Climate Dilemmas

Authors : Zeynep KILIÇ

Pages : 29-37

View : 20 | Download : 13

Publication Date : 2020-07-23

Article Type : Other Papers

Abstract :Before one makes the move to a different country, I am not sure that they think too much about belonging at first. There are more pressing concerns such as visas, permits, school or job applications, language barriers, saving money etc. The first few years are usually busy trying to get all these things lined up. The excitement and trepidation around the transition kicks survival instincts into high gear. Only after getting a little more settled in one’s daily life does one start thinking about the way it truly feels, especially if this is to become the way of life for the long term. I have been an immigrant in the U.S. for 27 years. And looking back now, I can see that I arrived with a naïve confidence about fitting in. Overall, I did not have major difficulties in establishing a social network. I capitalized on my exotic quota to make myself interesting for potential friends, something their American born and raised friends perhaps couldn’t provide in quite the same way.
Keywords : , ,