The First Generation Of The Children Of Immigrants

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I have to introduce you to three individuals, not random individuals, but siblings - two brothers and a sister. They may seem just like any other people, but they have a secret that isn’t easily realized unless you know them. They belong here in the sense that they were born here, but their hearts belong to another land. They are the children of immigrants; the first generation to be born in America. It is a unique experience that to others may seem odd or exotic, but for these three is just as normal as learning to ride a bike.
At home life is normal, not too different from the lives of any of their friends. Their dad still goes to work during the week, and mom stays at home to take care of the three children. They have a house with a maple tree out front, and a dog who the girl wrestles with. It is odd though, having to open presents with my family on Christmas Eve after church and dinner, while my friends wake up early the next morning to have breakfast with all their relatives from out of town. I understand, but at the same time I do not. I’m not old enough to understand why telemarketers can’t pronounce my last name, or why we have to get on a plane every other year to go see our family.
“It’s difficult to recall the first time I went to Switzerland. The actual experience of flying across the ocean at a young age felt like journeying to a different world. That eleven-hour flight was such a tedious part of the very exciting journey ahead. I remember once looking out the window of the plane as we touched down and feeling such a deep comfort and contentment. I felt as though I was home. What awaited me were days of family and friends, hiking and exploring, and delicious food. It was always such a beautiful experience being i...

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... based on Americanism. I have lost count of how many times I have told someone that I am Swiss, or that I speak Swiss German, and they quickly say, “Oh, you’re Swedish” or, “you’re from Sweden.” America has become its’ own world since the separation from Britain, and it shows in how so many Americans don’t see anything outside of this country, unless it is shown through media.
Being the first generation born in this country, my siblings and I have the rare advantage of not only seeing life as it is here, the country we were born in, but also the broader spectrum of life and lifestyles. Growing up we had many experiences common to American people, but at the same time we had such a different and intimate view of life because the experiences we had being exposed to our Swiss heritage. The heritage we have because we are the children of immigrants.

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