Priyanka Trivedi – Indian Immigrant turned American Hip Hop enthusiast/Nurse
By Kelsey Brown, Wagner College 15′
If it wasn’t for a little sorority called Tau Kappa Sigma I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of meeting my dear friend and sister Priyanka Trivedi, an Indian immigrant turned Wagner College student turned Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse. But believe me Pri as she is fondly called didn’t always start out in this direction. She was born in a small village in India outside of a major city. Her family being rather large struggled to maintain a well off lifestyle and although both of her parents had masters degrees they constantly struggled to better themselves.
She was raised by her very educated parents and had the privilege of attending a English-Medium school growing up. Although this English school provided her with a basis for a good education her family felt it necessary to continue her education elsewhere.So When she was nearing “middle-school” her parents decided to immigrate to the United States with the hopes to further her education.
Our interview was almost instantly fueled by our common thirst for knowledge and our love for nursing. Although receiving a pretty substancial early education Priyanka tells of the struggle to find greater opportunities in education in India. Her families search for education landed them in Staten Island where Pri continued her studies. After her high school graduation she went straight on to college at Wagner pursuing a degree in Nursing. Since her beginnings at Wagner she has graduated with her degree in Nursing and has begun work at a hospital in Brooklyn.
By using her advanced American education Pri has bettered her life and has come a long way from where she started. From her humble beginnings as a child in India to her present and bright future in the field of nursing Priyanka has proven that immigrants have a future here, that if you believe and work towards bettering yourself you can use education and make it above and beyond.
She has not only paved the way for her younger family members to achieve academic success in their search for the American Dream but has also given herself something to strive for – getting her masters. She has gone above and beyond her quest for higher education and continues to push herself further. I find so much strength in Pri’s family and the way they’ve supported her as a women and student her entire life. Through this interview I have become inspired to continue to work towards the same goals. Thank you for this Pri and thank you to the Trivedi family for giving me this amazing story to write about.
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