An Immigrant’s Voice

I look beyond boundaries and borders, which helps me stretch my imagination and gives wings to my dreams and aspirations. 

Hi! I’m Navya, and I’m a global citizen with a “not so cliché” immigrant life. Unlike the excitement of traveling to an overseas destination, living as an expatriate offers a kaleidoscopic view of the country. Adaptation to a new environment and that invisible social pressure to fit into the mainstream culture are just a few of many things that constantly throw challenges to the everyday lives of immigrants. 

Growing up and being raised in two different geographies has made a balanced and colossal impact on me. Born in India and partially raised in the United States has given me the opportunity to meet and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. It opened up a whole new perspective of the world around me. Taking the real-life experiences of both countries has shaped me into a well-informed individual, where I appreciate the positives and often identify authenticity over alternate facts. I’ve always been proud of my culture, roots, and origin since my childhood. However, while growing up, I realized that being a young immigrant had its challenges. 

During my middle school years, I was conscious about the choices I made from the clothes I wore to the food I ate in the cafeteria. Some were deliberate to make a statement and defy the preconceived notions about certain ethnicities and communities. Often, I would find myself struggling to find my true identity and felt secluded in a vast and diverse country. In middle school, a peer of mine told me that I was lucky not to look “Indian enough” and "normal" compared to others. The word “Indian enough” stuck with me throughout my years of living in America. I always admired living “The American Dream” and the benefits of living a quality life. However, while living that dream, I felt the pressure of being stereotyped by others about my preferences and way of life. Interestingly, it seemed normal to the extent that I failed to recognize the subtle elements of racism and discrimination right from boarding the school bus to the lunch hour. 

Finally, finding a reliable group of people that relished my company led me to embrace the festivities, food, and culture of different regions of India. I surrounded myself with a diverse group altogether, which improved my outlook towards being a global student. I made the most out of the opportunities and started to feel comfortable in my skin. I took the initiative in participating in several clubs as it expanded my social skills. My enthusiasm for sports got me participating in several sports meets and winning awards at school and the state level. From a vast perspective, such a level of exposure gives me the courage to think differently and stay actively engaged with local and global communities. Eventually, moving back to my home country made me redeem myself and realize the importance of staying resilient in all situations. Over the course of one year, I have found myself to have set higher goals for myself than ever before. Today, I showcase myself as an optimistic and adapting learner. This anecdote of mine is a mere depiction of just a few of the many experiences faced by the young people who move places. 

Currently, I am a fifteen-year-old, studying in a high school based in India. I am working towards building up strong networks through collaborations for the future. I am delighted to be a part of such an incredible community, Embrace Her Lead, that promotes diversity and unity. I look forward to hearing the stories and accomplishments of diverse people on this platform.