The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue but are incomplete. They make one story become the only story. – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Adepeju Adenuga is a PhD student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the United States. She recently presented her paper at the prestigious Herman C. Hudson Symposium at Indiana University, a platform honouring the varied traditions from which Black Studies was born. This symposium, named after the esteemed scholar Herman C. Hudson, is a significant event in the field of Black Studies, birthing a space and community where interdisciplinary, interracial, and intercultural conversations occur. Read her full story here:
I first came to the United States in 2023 and my experience adapting to a new life here has been bittersweet. The dominant story of the migrant from Nigeria is one who is lucky to have escaped the economic distress in the nation. Even recent immigrants have come to believe this single story of an automatically better life here in the US. Still, they forget that leaving home and being uprooted from your people and culture has far-reaching psychological effects. They take for granted the anchor that is your family and circle of friends from back home and how these cultures and traditions have shaped you to become the person that you are. They do not realize that it takes an exceptionally disciplined person not to stray in the absence of these familial and friendship ties. However, in time, it is possible to build a community of grounded and focused people who will help motivate you, just like I found my community here who pushed me to achieve my academic and spiritual goals. In time, these people became family, creating a semblance of home for me.
I remember my birthday in April; my friends gave me a birthday cake and sang birthday songs before my class started. I cried like a baby because I thought no one remembered it. At times, I miss home, the vibrant parties, the hustle and bustle of Lagos, and the closeness of family. Yet, leaving has reshaped my perspective, altering how I see the world and what I prioritize.
One unique experience I have had as an academic is the opportunity to transfer knowledge and ideas from the African diaspora to the American literary world. I had the privilege of presenting at the 2024 Herman C. Hudson Symposium at Indiana University, Bloomington, a moment that genuinely highlighted the intersection of my academic journey and my cultural roots.
If given the chance to do something differently, I would have approached my transition to the USA with more patience, ensured more financial stability, and placed a stronger focus on community-building right from the start. Looking back, I realize how essential it is to seek connections that create a sense of belonging. As an immigrant navigating both personal and academic challenges, those relationships can be one of the most valuable assets.
To women of colour migrating to North America and other Western countries, I encourage you to plan your journey as much as possible. While it is impossible to anticipate every challenge, careful planning can help demystify many hurdles you will face. Hold on to your faith, beliefs, and the principles that have brought you this far—they will be your guiding light on this new path.
Adepeju Adenuga tells her story from Pennsylvania, US.
