Carina Bernadel

5669323

SLS1501

UO1B

In the memoir, The Prince of Los Cucoyos . Written by Richard Blanco, Blanco

explores many different themes. One major them e that is displayed through out the book

is the idea of finding yourself. For many figuring out who one truly is, is the greatest

challenge. Blanco is raised in a Cuban family who is still adjusting to American life.

Blanco is adjusting as well; through the book he often questions who he is; “Where am I

from? Where do I belong? Who am I?. These questions are the very same questions I

asked myself transitioning into college.

In the memoir, Blanco and his family are constantly adjusting to American life. I

can relate to moving somewhere new and having to adjust to new people. Moving here

from Connecticut is a huge adjustment. Little errands that used to be so easy are so

complicated now. Not knowing where anything is and having to rely on GPS to get from

point A to point B is very frustrating. I would say I have an advantage over Riqui and his

family because if they moved anywhere else they would have had to learn English

correctly. However, it being Miami, everyone speaks Spanish. This is an adjustment for

myself. If I walk into Publix and ask which aisle the cereal is in the guy looks at me and

says “que”. The culture is far different here then from Connecticut. Which is the same

thng Ricqui and his family believe. It is far more diverse here in Miami then it was in

Connecticut .
 Ricqui is often trying to figure out where he fits in America whereas I am often

trying to understand where I fit at Florida International University. Transitioning into a

new school in a new state was very difficult because of the fact that I did not know

anyone outside of my family. Going to school and having to make friends and meet all

new people is overwhelming. Going to college is a fresh start so when I started I really

had to think about how I wanted to be perceived and what kind of people I wanted to

surround myself with. It is hard to get lost and loose yourself in the wrong group of

people. Ricqui is also trying to find out where he belongs. He was athletic and attractive

however he was also artistic and intelligent unlike most other Cuban boys he grew up

with. He was always different and it was a life long journey for him to figure out who he

truly was.

In college having a good sense of independence is important. Just as Ricqui had to

be more independent because he couldn’t depend on his family for everything college

student experience the same change. I have learned quickly that a successful college

student seeks assistance. A teacher isn’t going to chase you down if you did not turn in an

assignment (like is high school). The student’s success in college is based solely on the

student’s performance and ability to exercise independence.

Another question that Ricqui asks himself is “Who Am I? I as well often ask

myself this. I am still searching for who I truly am. The most significant battle I have

been faced with in this area is choosing a major. I am unsure of a major because I am

unsure of who I am. If I do not know truly who I am how will I know what I want to do

for the rest of my life. I have many fields of interest but I have yet to find something I am
passionate about. I think that once I figure it out I will be one step closing to figuring out

who I am.

In the memoir Richard Blanco teacher the reader a lot about finding themselves.

This book has changed my perspective and really opened up my eyes. Life is a constant

transition and how we adapt to change is crucial to our success, whether it be moving to a

new country or transitioning from high school to college. Hopefully sooner or later we all

figure out who we truly are.