When I first got to Medgar Evers, i felt like an outsider. I could not relate with my peers nor professors, which in my mind was strange because most of my classmates come from the Caribbean, so one would think that I would feel at home. So, as you can imagine, at first I had some trouble adjusting. 

I think that what made it difficult for me to adjust was that I had come from a different world (sort of speak). What I mean by that is that I was used to the eurocentric world. When I got to Medgar most of my professors spoke about black and white issues in a such a candid manner that at first I was a bit taken aback. I, of course, used to defend my eurocentrism and most often got into heated arguments with others. I used to think about every class - about what had occurred - and did not feel badly about defending "my white race", because to my classmates that was who I was. The fact that they did not even bother to acknowledge that I could very possibly be a Latino really bothered me because, how many whites does one know with the name Domingo Santana? 

In addition, i think that most of my peers saw me as white because of my light complexion. And, to be honest with you i often felt white in class. When a discussion of racism arose in class, I used to voice my opinion and my classmates looked at me as if i had no right to be talking about racism because I'm "white." 

That first year at Medgar was difficult because of the lack of diversity. I felt that some students saw me as if I were superior to them.  I am still trying to figure that one out. However, others I noticed seemed annoyed that a light skinned person was attending their Black college.

        My experience at other colleges I attended were good, but i often felt that the faculty did not care about the students as much as Medgar's faculty does. I can honestly say, that even though I felt that I did not belong at Medgar during my first and a half year, my experience at Medgar has been one of a kind. When i got to Medgar, I got a more realistic perspective about life. I think that Medgar Evers helped me become in touch with myself, something that I doubt I would have accomplished at the other colleges.