On Friday, November 8 Wayne State University recognized all First Generation College Students. I was proud to wear my “First-Gen Proud” pin and share my story, and relive the strong emotions still visible in pictures and carved in my heart. The memories of my father who “pushed” me to go to college, and telling me how he wished he could have continued to learn, if the war hadn’t ruined his hopes of studying and keep learning… All these emotions came back last Friday, along with the memories of  the excruciating waits by the professors’ doors the day of the oral exams, the defense, the unwavering and steadfast support of my mother and my whole family, who allowed me to fulfill my dream to become a teacher!