Social Identity- manav

Moving to the United States from Nepal made a huge impact on me. For seventeen years, I grew up around people who looked like me, talked like me and shared the same culture as me. Life was much different too. Power cuts that lasted 16 hours, drinking water that was supplied every few days, or inexistent basic infrastructure. After moving to the States, I was able to appreciate small things in life like running hot water, being able to have a job at 17 or roads to big things like access to quality education. You learn not to complain and take what you have and make the best out of it. At the same time, there were struggles, I went from being a majority to being a minority. It felt weird and certainly an inferior in my new environment. I felt I had to work twice as hard to achieve my dreams than people around me. Today I have the great fortune to be studying and educating myself in such a great institution. That I cannot take lightly.

It will certainly be different being in Zambia as I will be in an environment where people who look like me are very few. I will be a minority there. However, I hope my previous experiences will allow me to better cope with situations that challenge this aspect of my identity. The institution and the country I am representing in Zambia would definitely be apparent. I have the burden and the privilege of showcasing the right picture of America and Cornell. I strongly believe, my identity formed due to my upbringing in Nepal and my life in the United States will be apparent through my actions and perspective during my time in Zambia.

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