Here I was, barely 18, trying to figure out a whole new country on my own
When I landed in Minneapolis, I wanted to call my cousin in Duluth and ask him to let my parents know that I had safely arrived in America. Looked like I needed some coins and I had none. I was looking around for a store perhaps to ask for some change, except, the bills I had were all $100 and I wasn't sure they would have change for it. A gentleman sitting in the waiting area saw me and after observing me looking stranded for several minutes, took pity on me and came over to ask what number I was trying to dial. I showed him my little piece of paper that had my cousin's number. He simply put some coins, dialed the number and handed the phone over to me when it started ringing. I could barely mutter the words thank you because I was so dumbfounded, and all he said in return was "no big deal, glad I could help". Welcome to MN I guess?
I hung out for 5 hours in Minneapolis waiting for the connecting flight to St Cloud. Had i known what i knew a few months later, that it really only about a 1.5 hour drive, I would have taken a cab and not wasted my time in an airport. But i was 18 and had no clue really where i was. St Cloud State was a rather desolate place when i arrived. I was in Shoemaker Hall, the floor to myself and it was creepy. No one had arrived yet. While wandering around the next day, I ran into another student from Japan. We became friends after realizing we might be the only two people there at that time. Neither of us knew where to go for anything, so we spent our time walking everywhere, getting stuff from a store called Target and thinking that it was nice of people to say hello to us while we took a foot tour of St Cloud. This girl, Masami, is now also a resident of MN, a wife and mother to two adorable little boys.
The dorm situation and I did not get along. Even after people had started moving in, my roommate was not one to talk, so i felt very alone. I walked around more looking for a Catholic church. I assumed that this at least might be something I was used to. I found the Newman Center and met Father Kevin who made me feel welcome and told me that i could hang out there whenever I wanted to. There was a library area, with a big TV and games, made just for college students to relax or study. It is through him that I met an incredible couple, Jim and Mary, who to this remains a big part of my life and are more my family than just friends. They took me, a stranger, in to their home and gave me a sense of belonging. I left the dorms after quite a battle with administration and lived with Jim and Mary for a while. I was welcomed by their families and again I found myself wondering how amazing these people are.
I did have another person who shaped quite a bit of my college life from the beginning. David Boyer, my advisor, my boss and now a friend. He was looking for me during orientation to recruit me for the Honors program. I listened to him, very confused about what this was all about, and agreed to write an essay for the program application anyway. Honors? Sounded like something I should do. I met the few other Sri Lankans who were at SCSU, or rather they found me. Thanks to them, I had real food instead of the one burger i ate over three days when I first got to campus ( i thought it was way too expensive). After securing a job at the school cafeteria, I bought my first ever cell phone with my hard earned money. While I was getting more used to the idea of being without family, I was very depressed my first year and I begged to come home that summer. I now realize how much of a sacrifice that was for my parents since they had to pay for my tickets again, but they couldn't sleep knowing how uncomfortable I was. They sent me money somehow to get me home for 3 months. I enjoyed the time again with family. When I came back, for my second year at St Cloud State, it was with renewed vigor and I wanted to be successful, make my parents proud and prove their sacrifices worth it. I don't even know how it happened, but I joined the University Program Board, started working for the Honors Program and now I had a busy routine. I met a lot more people and did so many things to fill my time. St Cloud State, and more specifically, Atwood became my home.
If i were to think about everything during these years, I'd be writing a novel. I wouldn't be where I am today without all the kind people I have met through my journey, some of who are friends on Facebook. Even though we don't talk all the time, it really does make me happy to see photos and updates of these people. Today, 10 years later, I am married to an amazing man who loves me dearly, have a pup who thinks the world of me (most days) and expecting a little baby girl in november!
~Di