This is who I can be: My international student story | Jairus Meer | TEDxHopeCollege

Leaving the Philippines on January 4, 2021, I became an international student in the United States in a small town of Holland, Michigan. From making new connections, embracing a lot of opportunities, and the experiences of discrimination and neglect, I used my journals as a way to release all of these feelings and make me feel closer to my home, family, and culture. Within these journal entries, I encapsulated every single day of my life within these pages and wrote a Filipino word called "Kaya" which means "You can" in Tagalog. It is a word that is essential to me and to almost every single Filipino. As I continue to navigate my international student today, I stand in front of my community to represent the marginalized and international student community not just within the United States but also across the globe. Jairus is a sophomore at Hope majoring in biological sciences and peace and justice studies. He is from Las Piñas, Philippines. He has wanted to become a speaker ever since he went to a TEDx event. He is involved in Asian Student Union, research, tutor, Prism and is an RA This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx