FITCHBURG YOUR STORY: Best of Both Worlds - Kensley Antoine

This episode shares a personal journey of cultural adoption, navigating the balance between Haitian heritage and life in the US as well as explores Fitchburg State's supports for diversity and inclusivity.

Written and narrated by Kensley Antoine, a Business Administration major with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, "Best of Both Worlds" is the next episode in a series called Fitchburg Your Story, which will be published throughout the month. 

Episodes in this series were produced and edited by the students in Professor Kisha Tracy's Storytelling and the Oral Tradition course (ENGL 2890) in the Spring 2025 semester.  

"Saxifrage"  is the Fitchburg Your Story theme music.  Music by Prof. Robin Dinda, Text by Prof. DeMisty Bellinger-Delfeld.  Performed by Fitchburg State University Choirs with Alanna Rantala (piano) and Prof. Jonathan Harvey (conductor).

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Episode transcript here.

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Additional mixing and mastering by members of the Perseverantia staff.

Click here to learn more about Perseverantia. Join us for programming updates on Instagram. Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at podcasts@fitchburgstate.edu.

Transcript

[ “Saxifrage” choral music plays, performed by the Fitchburg State University Choirs ] 

Prof. Kisha Tracy (intro): Welcome to the Fitchburg State University Perseverantia Podcast network. This is the Fitchburg Your Story series in which Fitchburg State students tell the stories that make our city and university unique.

[ “Saxifrage” fades out ] 

[ energetic percussion fades in and plays over transition ] 

Kensley Antoine: Hello, and welcome to today's episode. I'm Kensley and today I'm sharing my personal journey of cultural adoption, navigating the balance between my Haitian heritage and life in the US. I'm also exploring our institution at Fitchburg State, supporting my journey to diversity.

My story began when my family moved from Haiti to the US at a young age. It was a big shift, new language, new cultures, new traditions. At first, I struggled. I didn't speak English fluently. And the holidays, like Thanksgiving and Halloween, felt foreign. It was a tough feeling like an outsider.

I remember one of my first day of school in the US. I was in high school. It was Halloween. Everyone was dressed in costumes, or super hero cartoon characters and princesses. I came, I was wearing regular clothes because I didn't about the tradition. I wasn't embarrassed or uncomfortable, just confused. I smiled and went along with it. But I remember thinking: what going on? It was different from anything I experienced in Haiti.

Lunch time was another surprise. Most kids had sandwiches, chips, and these little pre-packed meals. Things I'd never seen before. I didn't dislike it, but it made me realize how different things were back home. Lunch meant a warm, homemade meal. Rice, beans, meat, maybe fried plantain. That kind of food gave me comfort and remind me of home. At the moment, I didn’t feel out of place. I just felt how far I from anything I knew.

And then of course was the challenge in the classroom because I didn't speak English well at first. I was placed in English as a second language, which called ESL class. These classes were smaller and focused on helping students like me learn, read, write, speak English. It was hard at first. I wanted to understand everything my classmates were saying, but I couldn't find the words. But the ESL teachers were incredibly kind and patient. They understood how hard it was for us. And were always ready to help.

They created a space where we felt safe asking questions and making mistakes. I’ll never forget how they encouraged us to keep trying no matter how long it took. During a summer ESL course, they even took us to couple field trips to the museum, the zoo, and the local parks. Those trips help us learn English the real world way. And they made us feel more connected to Kensley Antoine (cont’d): the community. It wasn't just about learning a language. It was about learning how to feel at home.

But I realized that thing didn't mean letting go my Haitian roots. It meant finding balance. I work hard to improve my English, reading books, watching TV, and talking to people. Slowly, I became more confident, and I began to appreciate new traditions like Thanksgiving and Halloween, which were so different from what I knew.

One Thanksgiving, I decided to bring a Haitian dish diri kole ak pwa to school potluck. At first, I was nervous that no one would try it, but at the end of lunch, the pan was empty. The moment told me that cultural exchange goes both ways. I could bring my world to theirs and as they can, share theirs with me.

Even as I embraced new tradition, I stayed true to my heritage at home. We spoke Haitian Creole and celebrated our own holidays over time, and it's still that I didn't have to choose. 

Fast forward to high school, I had the chance to experience something new that made me feel proud of my heritage. Our school annual cultural celebration, it was an event where a student could represent their background, whether through food, music, art, performances. Although I didn't bring food myself, I had the opportunity to try dishes from all over the world. Indian, Italian pasta, Mexican, and more. It was an amazing experience. And I was proud to be part of that day, different culture were shared inside of me.

It was also a chance to talk about Haiti and share a little bit about my background with my classmates. I had the opportunity to explain some of the traditions and customs I grew up with. And it felt good to be able to enter others to my culture.

But it wasn't just about sharing my culture. It was about the chance to learn about others as well. There were more represent their country from all over the world, like India, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, and also many more. We danced, we played music, and gave a short presentation about our traditions. It was a day of connection where we celebrate the diversity within our school. And it felt amazing to be a part of something that showcases every student unique story. Even showed me that no matter you came from, we al have something beautiful to share with the world.

This is where places like Fitchburg State University make a real difference. The Center for Diversity plays a crucial role in helping students explore and celebrate their diverse identity. To mentorship dialogue and cultural celebration, the center creates a space where students can connect heritage while feeling at home in new environments.

When I first arrived at Fitchburg State as an athlete, it was a bit overwhelming. Balancing the demand of sport and academics while adjusting to a new culture was challenging. I felt welcomed by my team, which was made people from all kinds of backgrounds. Sport gave me the sense of belonging. But then during my first year, I tore my ACL.That injury changed everything. I had to sit out and focus on recovery and deal with the frustration of being sidelined.

It was a tough time, but it also gave me the chance to grow in new ways with support from the Center of Diversity and the relationships I built on campus. I found strength not just as an athlete, but as a student and a person. I used that time to reconnect with my Haitian roots and reflect on who I was becoming.

That experience taught me that set back can lead to self-discovery and I could embrace both my culture and my college journey through the adversity. For example, Fitchburg State Hispanic Heritage Month celebrate honor and contribution of Hispanic and Latin community. It's a reminder of the importance of cultural storytelling and heritage, something I can deeply relate to my Haitian immigrants. Although I haven't had the chance to attend one of the events in person yet, I’ve seen coverage on campus and news. I heard from friends who participated. They talk about music, the speakers, the food, and how powerful it felt seeing their culture represented and respected.

Even though I'm not Hispanic, I have always felt the connection to the idea of preserving and sharing one’s roots. It reminds me of the pride I felt on my own culture. And how powerful when school created space that pride to be seen and heard.

And it's not just about celebrating diversity. It's about the memories, the lesson we carry with us long after the event are over. The Leading for Change focus on creating lasting impact by making diversity, equity, and inclusion part of the university foundation. Fitchburg State is working to ensure that every student feel represented and heard not just during a celebration but in everyday life campus.

These efforts help build a stronger sense of belonging and memories created through the program. The Cultural Heritage through Image project also showcase on how visual storytelling can provide the gap between culture. It's powerful to see how an image can tell a story without words. Showing a photo and artifact, a place or a person, can open a conversation about history, identity and share humanity. 

As a part of this project, some of our classmates even work with the school archive where we were introduced to old photos, documents, and stories from the past. Seeing these materials up close and hearing about their historical context helped me understand more deeply how different cultures have shaped the community we live in today. It made the story feel personal and alive. 

Even though I came from a different background, learning about lives and traditions of others helped me reflect on my own culture and stories I carry with me. Projects like this show me that cultural heritage isn't just something in the past, it's something we live continue to shape on every day.

Through these initiatives, Fitchburg State University is a community where students of all backgrounds can thrive. And as a student here, I learned that cultural adoption is not about losing yourself, it's about blending the best of both worlds, staying true to your roots while going in new ways. Being in this environment has helped me to develop not just academically but personally. I have learned how to make for myself, how to think critically about who I am and what I stand for.

And I think to new culture while holding on to my Haitian identity taught me how to different space with confidence. I became more independent, more thoughtful, and more aware of my background shape, the way I see the world. It's a process that goes beyond fitting in. It's about finding your own path, roots, and where you came from. But open to where you are going.

Whether you are navigating through culture or adjusting to a new environment, you don’t have to give up who you are to fit in. Embrace your heritage, honor your identity, and build a life that incorporates the best of both worlds.

And if you ever felt lost in that process, know that you are not alone. There are community, people, and institutions ready to walk that path with you. Celebrating every step you take forward while honoring every part of where you have came from. It's important to remember that adoption about leaving pieces of yourself behind. It's about finding a way to bring all the parts of who you are into a new chapter of your life.

Sometime the choice you make over time don't just define who you are. They reflect the places you came from, the values you were raised with, the culture heritage that shape you. Every decision, big or small is influenced by both where you have been and where you're headed.  And that's what makes your journey uniquely yours.

[ energetic percussion fades in and plays over transition before fading out ] 

Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope my story inspired you to celebrate your culture while welcoming new experiences. Stay true to who you are and remember you can adapt without losing yourself. See you next time.

[ Perseverantia Network theme fades in ] 

Zoe Christostomides: You’re listening to Perseverantia, the Fitchburg State Podcast Network.

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