Ever since I was a child, I have always considered myself an international person, a citizen of the world. Being raised in two radically different cultures really has an impact on someone, and that impact depends on the person. Some find it very difficult to find the best of both cultures and create a beneficial blend, and as a result, they lose cultural identity. However, it was not so difficult for me. I've embraced both my backgrounds equally and have integrated well into each society. In fact, I'm even trying to learn about new cultures in other areas of the world.
I was born to two immigrant parents from India. Being of Indian origin has heavily influenced me in the way I live my life. I enjoy Indian food, speak two Indian languages, Tamil and Kannada, fluently, follow Hinduism, and have learned different types of Indian music from singing to mirdangam, a South Indian drum. I also keep in touch with my family in India and visit there about every other year, which has also helped me hold my roots close. However, when someone asks me where I'm from, I say America. Why? Not because I'm not proud of my Indian heritage, but because I was born and raised in the United States. As an American, I enjoy things such as Sunday football, fried chicken, and Thanksgiving. I don't consider my two identities separate- rather I find my favorite aspects of both cultures and blend them into my own culture, which has worked out nicely for me so far.
Although my heaviest influence comes from my Indian background and my American upbringing, I'm still influenced and fascinated by other cultures in the world. Maps, atlases, and the outside world in general have always fascinated me. This interest led to me being the Geography Bee champion at school for four years, out of which I finished fifth in the state of Virginia when I was twelve. In addition to speaking English and my two native tongues, I have also taken four years of French in high school while learning Dutch and Swedish on the side. I feel comfortable speaking French and I can get by with a few phrases in the Netherlands or Sweden. I also hope to study abroad or live somewhere in Europe in the near future. So yes, the European culture has also had a significant impact on my identity.
What makes me unique and colorful is the fact that I do not belong to just one culture- I am a conglomeration of very different cultures. Although this may seem very difficult to many, it has yet to confuse me, and I embrace each and every aspect of all of my cultures. What I enjoy most about being so diverse is the fact that I can connect with people from many lifestyles, even many Europeans although I was not born nor have ever lived in Europe. Therefore, I am not a citizen of any one place but an international citizen.
I was born to two immigrant parents from India. Being of Indian origin has heavily influenced me in the way I live my life. I enjoy Indian food, speak two Indian languages, Tamil and Kannada, fluently, follow Hinduism, and have learned different types of Indian music from singing to mirdangam, a South Indian drum. I also keep in touch with my family in India and visit there about every other year, which has also helped me hold my roots close. However, when someone asks me where I'm from, I say America. Why? Not because I'm not proud of my Indian heritage, but because I was born and raised in the United States. As an American, I enjoy things such as Sunday football, fried chicken, and Thanksgiving. I don't consider my two identities separate- rather I find my favorite aspects of both cultures and blend them into my own culture, which has worked out nicely for me so far.
Although my heaviest influence comes from my Indian background and my American upbringing, I'm still influenced and fascinated by other cultures in the world. Maps, atlases, and the outside world in general have always fascinated me. This interest led to me being the Geography Bee champion at school for four years, out of which I finished fifth in the state of Virginia when I was twelve. In addition to speaking English and my two native tongues, I have also taken four years of French in high school while learning Dutch and Swedish on the side. I feel comfortable speaking French and I can get by with a few phrases in the Netherlands or Sweden. I also hope to study abroad or live somewhere in Europe in the near future. So yes, the European culture has also had a significant impact on my identity.
What makes me unique and colorful is the fact that I do not belong to just one culture- I am a conglomeration of very different cultures. Although this may seem very difficult to many, it has yet to confuse me, and I embrace each and every aspect of all of my cultures. What I enjoy most about being so diverse is the fact that I can connect with people from many lifestyles, even many Europeans although I was not born nor have ever lived in Europe. Therefore, I am not a citizen of any one place but an international citizen.