El. knyga: Navigating Education as a Forgotten Immigrant: Perspectives from the Eastern European Community

Navigating Education as a Forgotten Immigrant tells the story of first- and second-generation immigrants from Eastern Europe. Through a collection of ten interview essays, they share their immigration experiences, assimilation to American life, how they maintain connections to their home countries, and how this shaped their identities.

There is a long history of immigration from Eastern Europe to the United States that began in the 1880s. Since that time, significant diaspora communities have developed in the United States. The members of these groups have developed businesses, participated in their local communities, attended colleges and universities, and shared their culture. Even with such active participation and growth in American life, little is known about the individual community members. Often these communities are forgotten within the fabric of American life. Navigating Education as a Forgotten Immigrant tells the stories of these community members.

Each chapter shares the story of a member of the Eastern European community living in the United States. Some stories are from the perspective of a first-generation immigrant, while others are from second-generation immigrants. Their stories highlight their commitment to life in America, the challenges they face, their evolution of identity, and what it means to live in two worlds simultaneously.