19552 GW Mag 26_Final_singles - Flipbook - Page 20
A First-Gen Journey
After an uncertain start to his college life, Justin Liu found a home
at GW on his journey to becoming the first in his family to
earn a college degree in the U.S.
THE NIGHT JUSTIN LIU, BA ’26, STEPPED ONTO THE FOGGY
Bottom campus of George Washington University as a first-year
student should have been the culmination of a dream.
It was the next chapter in a story that began when his
parents immigrated from China—leaving behind a stable life
and business, along with the grandparents who helped raise
Liu as a young child. Liu was just 8 when his world was
uprooted. Landing in Southern California, he lived through
20 | www.columbian.gwu.edu
years of shifting addresses. At school, he often felt isolated.
At home, he grew up quickly, helping his parents navigate a
new language and culture.
Now, all the sacrifices and struggles were about to pay
off. As the first person in his family to attend an American
university, his goals—his family’s goals—were finally
within reach.
But when he arrived at GW, Liu’s only thoughts were:
“I don’t belong here. I want to go home.”
