My mother and I left Pakistan when I was six. My mother felt that in an American society there would be more educational opportunities for me and more financial opportunities for her as a single parent. I have been fortunate here because I received a scholarship to a private high school. It was a real culture shock after attending a large grammar school in Jersey City. Now I’m going to attend an Ivy League college that costs more for two semesters than my mother earns a year.

Sana Ahmed, Age 18