Adjusting to a new life, country and college
Dagemawit Kebede (Dag-ma-weet keh-beh-deh) might be sitting in one of her classes when the shock of it hits her again—everything that led her to this moment started with her parent’s courageous sacrifice.
She was born in a small town in Ethiopia when opportunities were sparse, and today, she’s a first-generation college graduate in pursuit of a master’s degree at The University of Baltimore.
“Receiving my undergraduate education was really the fruit of the sacrifice that my parents made, that I made, and also that my community had made for me,” Kebede said.
Kebede immigrated to the United States 14 years ago with a somewhat predestined path. Her parents wanted her and her sister to have the college education they missed.
None of it was easy.
“A lot of times when you’re a first-gen immigrant student, you’re not only looking at getting into college, but you’re looking at adjusting into a culture,” Kebede said. “You’re always having to teach people how to say your name, you’re always having to learn English, you’re always having to work 10 times harder than everyone around you, because this is not your natural home and your natural environment.”
Kebede, who now works in UBalt’s Division of Student Success and Support Services, had to adjust to the country and culture before she could begin to consider college applications.
Her parents’ love and sacrifice motivated her journey. She graduated from Towson University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Kebede’s next degree—the master’s she now pursues in global affairs and human security—is her own.
“I like education and learning new things, but I was never really allowed to just go to school and enjoy it for myself. It was a feeling like there was always more that I have to do,” she said. … “Now I have this opportunity to use that degree and move forward to get a master’s degree for myself and enjoy just being a student for myself.”
When Kebede chose her master’s program, she found something that honored her roots. The M.A. in Global Affairs and Human Security helps students understand their place in international issues related to governance, sustainable development, transnational problem-solving and the promotion of human security.
“A lot of it is my story. I came here as a derivative of an asylee. My dad came here first and then brought us over. And a lot of the reasons why we left our home country—because of instability, not being able to have a future back home in Ethiopia—a lot of it has to do with global affairs and what security is for humans,” Kebede said. “So to me, it made sense to study the things that cause displacement all over the world, and things that a lot of humans go through.”
Knowing her own past experiences, Kebede wants to build her future around helping others.
“Looking at my family and their journey and how they navigated such a difficult transition just helped me mature and have this understanding of the world and have more empathy,” she said.
Going First is an ongoing series highlighting the students, alumni, faculty and staff part of the UBalt community who were the first in their families to earn a bachelor's degree. Read more first-generation stories.