# @rutgersu on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck8qNdBLHcx
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/1096185-rutgersu-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/f5a16bca64.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-11-14T16:18:56.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Rutgers University (@RutgersU) — https://gondola.cc/RutgersU

## Caption

In honor of First-Gen Week last week, we celebrated students, faculty, and staff who are the first in their family to seek a four-year college degree in the United States. As we spotlight our first-gen community, take the time to learn about the diverse identities of those in our first-gen community ✨

Meet Ice You, a @mgsarutgers student majoring in Design and Photography. 

"When I think about who helped me become a first-generation college student, my mom comes to mind. Being curious and ambitious, my mom had many academic desires, but college was merely a dream that never came true for her. At 17, she began working full-time to support her family and never had the opportunity to enroll. Yet, she has done everything in her power to ensure this dream would become my reality. Thanks to her, I am living the college experience she never had, but the journey wasn’t easy. My parents run a restaurant, a job that isn’t glamorous and is extremely laborious: 14-hour shifts six days a week with little-to-no breaks, most of which is spent in a hot, crowded kitchen, and the days they have off are used to work other odd jobs. I spent most of my childhood there, and every day I watched my parents push themselves past their limits for me to have a future beyond making dumplings and noodles. 
 
Becoming a first-generation student is not only my accomplishment, but also my mom’s. As cliche as it sounds, I wouldn’t be here pursuing my passions and dreams if it weren’t for her. My mom is a courageous and compassionate woman who braved through tough times to to build a better future for herself and her loved ones. Throughout this journey, I’ve learned many things from my mom that I will continue to carry with me for a lifetime. She always told me that no matter what you are destined to do or how badly you want something, dreams are empty and unattainable without hard work, staying humble, and having gratitude for those who helped you along the way. I am grateful to be the first-generation at Rutgers, and I am most certainly proud to be my mother’s daughter."

#CelebrateFirstGen | #RutgersPride | #RutgersExcellence

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 2,534
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 32

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rutgers University | @RutgersU | https://gondola.cc/RutgersU | University |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Photographer |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Social Media Manager |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Copywriter |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Photo Editor |

## Tags

rutgerspride, rutgersexcellence, celebratefirstgen

## Events

first-gen week 2022

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