I appreciate your dilemma. I do agree with the person who suggested that you ask your parents to articulate their specific concerns so that you can try to assuage them. For instance, they may be worried that you’ll eventually find a partner in that region and end up relocating permanently. For parents, separation can be really hard.
Here are a few strategies that might help your parents become comfortable with your preference:
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See if you can arrange for a meeting or contact between your parents and your school guidance counselor or another adult (maybe a teacher, a relative, a friend’s parent, or one of your parents’ friends who is also a 1st-generation immigrant?) who can help your parents to understand the benefits of going away to school and also assuage their concerns. The more your parents can identify with this person, the more it will help to “normalize” the idea for them.
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Let your parents know why it is important that you have an independent “American style” college experience. Possible arguments you might not have mentioned yet are: Developing professional networks outside of your home city, getting broader exposure to diverse people is key to your future career success, learning to be resourceful and resilient.
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Point out that you are following their own example by leaving the familiar for expanded horizons. Let them know how much you admire their example and what you learned from it that you are ready to apply in your life.
Good luck!