ensara's corner

Hello Beautiful People, 

It’s been a long time since we last talked. I started this blog during a few weeks of life that were pretty quiet. Then life became busy again, and therefore my blog went quiet. Life has changed so much since then, and there’s a lot to reflect on, but that’s a topic for another time. In the meantime I decided to share the essay I wrote for my college applications, because I like it so much, and I think it’s worth sharing. Although this story only represents a small moment in my life, it was one with a big impact. I wish I could’ve written more, but with the 650-word-limit in the Common App, it was cut down to this. Enjoy!

This story doesn’t begin on December 14, 2017, but that might as well have been the most notable day of the lengthy process. After praying Fajr as a family, and watching the sunrise, the five of us dressed up, looking forward to this nerve-racking day. 

We left the house at 6:13 a.m. and dad drove us to The US Embassy in Tirana in his vintage blue car. Our interview didn’t start until 10 a.m., but we had to be there early. If the Embassy gave us the VISA, we would see new lands, get better jobs, attend better schools, and live finer lives. We would make our dreams come true. But if that VISA was declined, we would be on a much darker road. The whole way to the Embassy I kept praying to God, “Please, please send us to America. Please.”

We arrived at the yellow building that cold December morning, waiting for the gates to open, waiting for my father’s name to be called. And then, the moment came. 

“Elvis Sejko and family. You’re up.”

We were directed to talk to a man with a red shirt and black glasses, a foreign affairs officer of the United States. He asked my dad a few questions about topics like college, career, and where we are staying. After about five minutes of interviewing, he said, “Your VISA has been approved.” I don’t know if anything will ever  replace the happiness and relief that washed over all of us in that moment. 

Days passed, and it broke my heart to have to give away all of my childhood toys, and so many of our books, but I felt comforted that they had a new home. The big library in my room had all been given away, and I stared at the empty walls with such longing. All the dolls and PlayMobil I had collected as a kid was gone too, and I felt conflicted between so much of my childhood fading into just memories, and this new part in my life where I was finally a “teen,” and I was going to America — a dreamland for many Albanians like my family. After learning about the persecution my family had faced during and after the communist regime for being “enemies of the regime,” and the corrupt education system in Albania, it was my dream to study in America. 

At the Rinas International Airport our loved ones came to say goodbye. Grandparents, uncles, cousins, and so many family friends, ready to wave us off to America, with much sadness that we’re leaving but happiness for this opportunity we got. After hugging all of those who came to bid us farewell, I could see my mom tearing up, my dad trying to be the tough guy, my little siblings mostly confused, and me. I was holding back my tears because I was excited for the High-School-Musical-life I had imagined, but missing my loved ones right as we climbed on the bus that took us to our plane. After getting on the plane from Tirana to Istanbul, and from Istanbul to Chicago, I kept imagining what our new life would be like, but I had no idea what greatness God had in store for me. 

The moment we landed at O’Hare International Airport, it was the next sunrise. We were IN Chicago — THE Chicago of Ferris Buller with its skyscrapers, was real and right in front of us. However, what was kicking in more was the panic of getting through all the checkpoints, and trying to not get lost in this huge airport. After a long list of steps, we were almost there. A tall, grumpy  immigration officer checked us in America, and what he said next might not seem of significance, but it has a special place in my heart. He told my little brother, “Welcome to America, buddy.” 

Until next time! (hopefully really soon)

Stay Safe, 

Ensara Sejko < 3