Being an Eritrean-American, I have had to learn and balance out both cultures. This came with obstacles that I had to tackle and has allowed me to grow as a person. From learning two different languages, history, and cultures, my experiences have definitely impacted how I want to live my life in this world. Eritrea, a small East African country on the coast, is where my roots come from and was where my parents grew up until they fled to start a better life in the United States. The way they were raised was the way they planned on raising their children, with strong influence of the Orthodox Church and making sure that even though we didn’t live in Eritrea, we would be instilled with the customs and beliefs that they had grown up with. Having a supportive and compassionate Eritrean community also helped me be the patriotic Eritrean that I am and allow me to learn about where I come from. I’ve always been known to be a part of everything that came my way and never slowed down because for me, I enjoyed doing what I could for my community and taking the offers that were given to me since that was the only way I knew I could stick with my culture. Even with being Eritrean, I cherish the opportunities that living the United States have given me. I have been fortunate enough to get an unbelievable …show more content…
Being different from someone not only motivates me to learn, but also use the differences to make something great that could possibly only happen with a multitude of ideas and viewpoints. With my Eritrean background, I would love to incorporate my culture to how I live and learn, but also gain knowledge from those who have different cultures and customs that make them who they are, and grow with the help of each
Growing up as a first generation Eritrean-American, I did not have anyone to lead the way for me. I am breaking barriers for the Eritrean community. Most Eritreans, like my parents, left their country, family, and belongings during the war to come to America as refugees. My parents had to start over and because of that, I was able to understand their struggle and sacrifices. It was hard for me to assimilate to American culture while living at home with a culture very different while I was young. As the years went by, I learned balance and found a culture of my own between the two cultures. I was disparate from many of the children at school because my parents were not born here. People assumed I was an immigrant and did not speak English because
Living with different kinds of cultures around you is also very knowledgeable to many people. One could learn a lot about someone’s background or country just by interacting or spending some time with them. For example, you can learn about different foods, clothing, fashion, and the kind of lifestyles others might have. Living together helps keeps us in harmony and peace. If we didn’t get along or maybe even share some of the ideas we wouldn’t be such a diverse community. Knowing and underst...
In conclusion, leaving my country was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. I know it’s easy to imagine yourself with different things and in different places, but when it comes to reality; it’s very hard, especially, when you decide to move to another country, and try to adjust yourself to everything new. I am very grateful for everything we have today, America is
In such a multicultural world, being knowledgeable and understanding of not only your cultural background, but that of others is essential. Building my awareness on cultures different from my own, and how it shapes an individual’s identity, will foster my personal and professional development. Subsequently, I conducted a cultural interview with an individual whose cultural background differed from my own. Several similarities and differences between our cultures were apparent in the interview, specifically in the areas of race, ethnicity, language, values, and worldview.
I was born in Amiri, Nigeria and migrated to United States (US) at the age of three. Nigeria with its rich culture is very enjoyable but lacks
Because of my culture, it has allowed for me to be more understanding of those that are different from me. The recognition of what it is to be different from what normal American culture may look like has brought forth a new and deeper level of empathy without even realizing. Growing up in a diverse area where my group of friends came from a wide variety of backgrounds has helped me to see the similarities we share as well as getting more acquainted and understanding of why certain groups do the things that they do. With that being said, I recognize that though I may be more equipped to related with people from different backgrounds a bit more than someone else, I know that I may still face some challenges (especially with how this nation is when it comes to race and cultural relations). As a social worker, a bit part of my profession is to create societal change.
...elopment of diverse understanding through my life. I found that The further you explore and understand your own culture, you will be better prepared to face counseling issues in other cultures while avoiding possible pitfalls like bias.
I learned the etiquette, mannerisms and customs of European cultures in part because they played a critical role in my family’s social mobility. I learned to read and write in English and French in school and was allowed to practice my ethnic languages at home. I learned to wear my hair straight instead of in an Afro in order to be taken seriously
Growing up in a developing country has really open up my mind about setting up for a better future. My home in El Salvador wasn't the most lavishness, but it's also not the worst. I grew up in a house with two levels; three bedrooms on the top floor, one on the bottom, a garage and laundry room at the lower level, and a small sale shop at the front of the house. Growing up in this home has been a meaningful place for me. Its where I found my sense of place.
I have come a long way in both my professional and personal life. I come from a very different cultured family. Both of my parents were born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia just like me. My family and I migrated to the United States about a decade ago seeking for a better way of life and more freedom of expression and opportunities. After we moved here it was challenging for us to adapt to U.S.’s culture because it’s very different from our culture. Located in the horn of Africa, Ethiopia is the tenth largest country in Africa. In recent years, the Ethiopian economy is currently the fastest growing economy in Africa and the third fastest growing economy in the world. Approximately 85 percent of the population lives in rural areas. The settled population is scattered, making delivery of health and social services difficult.
I am what some would call a "people-person." I love being with new people and learning about what makes them "tick." I have been lucky enought to travel through Europe and the Orient so I have seen first hand whether East does meet West or not. But the place where I learned the most about people and the way they live would have to be right here at home - Southern California. Living here in an area with a rich ethinic mixture has opened my eyes to things like: the Filipino tendency to eat with a spoon and fork while Americans tend to use mainly the fork, the Oriental's tight family ties and the growing rate of American divorces, etc. The mixture of traditional Filipino parents and growing up in California has given me a chance to glimpse how some cultures go hand in hand while others clash violently.
I can also introduce new cultures to my students and inspire them to learn more about countries that are vastly different from their own, but no less complex and diverse. The danger of a single story is that it “emphasizes how we are different, rather than how we are similar” (Adichie, 2009). Embracing diversity, introducing new cultures, showing how we are the same and how we are different, this and more can be done within the classroom. Specifically, I feel like it can be done within reading about different places, exploring unique music, and watching videos that show us images of different lands.
I have the advantage of being two nationalities, Trinidadian and Haitian. This past summer I had the opportunity to explore each of them. I was six years old when I left Trinidad to come to the United States. Sometimes, when I try to remember the country of my birth I just have a blank memory of it. I always told myself when I got older, I would go back home for a visit. I already accomplished my goal of visiting Haiti, where my mother was born. Trinidad was next on my list, since I became tired of my mother as well as other family members telling me about the beauty of Trinidad. This past summer was a beautiful and exciting memory that never will be forgotten. Never forget where your nature is rooted, because those who are of different cultures enrich our society, making our world exciting.
My experiences with diverse cultures began during my childhood. I would eagerly listen to my grandparents, Dutch immigrants;
I met the most interesting people from lots of different cultures and was fascinated by how much i could relate to everyone since we were speaking Spanish, English or French, there was no language barrier in the way. this experience Sums up why I strogly believe in the importance of learning