Undergraduate /
"Growing up in India, Bollywood and music taste" - common app [6]
"What kind of music do you prefer?" asked the taxi cab driver while I sat there nervously and clueless about what to respond. In retrospect, this seems like a basic question. Back then, all I could think of was Bollywood music because that's the only music I had been listening to throughout my life. It was discomforting to know the challenges I was going to encounter in a new culture.
Ever since I moved to America, I have continued to learn more and more about myself. Moving to a different country and living in eight states in just seven years has not only taught me about different cultures and lifestyles, but has also helped me to grow as an individual and to gain self confidence. Throughout my journey, I have discovered the differences between Indian and American culture, the realization of these differences and their subsequent effects have truly molded my personality.
While growing up in India, I was raised according to traditional Indian values and culture. I even learned two languages, Marathi and Gujarati, just by watching my friends speak along. Supplementing that was my participation in various dance competitions through Bollywood as well as traditional dances, such as Bharatnatyam. Furthermore, living in a family with relatives who are primarily employed in software engineering, I had set goals similar to those of my family, without pondering my own individual aspirations. India tends to be a highly biased society: most children are expected to follow in their parents' footsteps and I was one of them until my migration to America.
On the way to my first home in America, the taxi cab driver asked me something that, while simple, made me realize the challenging experiences I was about to encounter in this new culture. He asked, "what kind of music do you prefer?" Although I was able to respond that I preferred rock music - it was the only type of music I really knew about!- it was discomforting to wonder how I would cope in a new culture where I didn't even know about simple things, like the type of music that most American teenagers listened to. After attending schools and making friends, I finally began to embrace the new culture and lifestyle only to discover that I was trying to conform to society.
While my father struggled through his job, my family and I often had to move from one state to another in less than six months. Though this helped me grow as an individual as well as made me value my culture and customs. I tried to conform to society. I tried suppressing my culture. I based my likes and dislikes on what my new friends preferred. But after my move to Virginia last summer, I realized that after losing all of the friends I made over the years and trying to be like everybody else, I had been missing out on opportunities, such as continuing my interest in dance as well as participating in sports and activities, which would expand my interests. After meeting so many people of both Indian and American culture during my journey, I have learned the importance of culture and values. Most importantly, I gained self confidence from doing what I believe to be right. Migrating to this country has truly taught to appreciate my customs and values.
