Samata: "You've Got This. You Have So Much Potential ."

Interviewer 记者: Benetta

Translator 翻译: Benetta

Editor 编辑: Benetta

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ENGLISH VERSION

Could you tell me more about your cultural background? I'm from Hyderabad, Telangana, India. I moved to the US in 6th grade (2017). If you were to share your culture with people who are not familiar with it, how would you describe it? Hyderabad is a place of diversity. There are so many people from all over India who go there for job opportunities. The main way we share our culture is through movies and cricket, as they includes many diverse people and cultures.

What were some difficulties you faced because of your multicultural background? When I first came to the US, everything was different. Everyone lives their own lives here, but in India, people are more community-oriented. I missed my life in India when I first came here, and my love for telugu movies increased even more because it makes me feel more connected to my culture. What most surprised you after moving to a new country？ People think living in the US is a dream, and even I thought that too. But I realized that it's not that much of a difference after I moved here, and to an extent, life is even worse for me, at least in the beginning, because I missed everything in India.

How do you think your multicultural experience changed you? I think it made me more independent. When I was in India, I was completely dependent on my parents, even when I study for tests or work on projects. When I moved here, all my friends are so much more independent, and they're used to doing a lot of things by themselves. This influenced me to become more independent too. If you could tell the little Samata who just came to the US one thing, what would it be? Don't get intimated by people who you think are better than you, because you'll get better too. When I first came here, I constantly compared myself to others and thought that I wasn't good enough, but if I could tell the little Samata one thing, I would say that you've got this, and you have so much potential!! What suggestions do you have for people undergoing cultural barriers? Know that being different does not make you inferior. In fact, it makes you become more resilient and powerful.

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中文版本

可以分享一下你的文化背景吗? 我来自印度泰伦加纳邦的海德拉巴。我在六年级(2017年)搬到美国。 你会如何向不熟悉你文化的人描述你的文化？ 海德拉巴是一个多元化的地方。有很多来自印度各地的人去那里寻找工作机会。我们分享文化的主要方式是通过电影和板球，因为它们包含了许多不同的人和文化。 多文化背景有给你带来什么困难或者困扰吗？ 我刚来美国的时候，一切都不一样。在这里，每个人都过着自己的生活，但在印度，人们更以社区为导向。我刚来到美国的时候，我很想念我在印度的生活，我对泰卢固语电影的热爱更加强烈了，因为它让我感觉更贴近我的文化。 到一个新的国家生活后，有发生什么出乎意料的事情吗？ 印度人认为在美国生活是一个梦想，就连我也这么认为。但在我搬到这里之后，我发现美国和印度的生活并没有很大的区别。在某种程度上，我的生活还更糟了，至少一开始是这样，因为我想念印度的一切。

你有因为你的多文化背景经历而发生什么变化吗？ 我感觉这让我更独立了。当我在印度的时候，我完全依赖我的父母，甚至当我为考试学习或做项目的时候。我在美国的朋友都独立多了，他们习惯了自己做很多事情。这也影响了我变得更加独立。 如果你能告诉刚来美国的自己一件事或者一些建议，你会说什么? 不要被你认为比你优秀的人吓到，因为你也会变得更好。当我刚来这里的时候，我总是拿自己和别人比较，觉得自己不够好，但是如果我能告诉当时的自己一件事，我会说，你一定可以的，因为你拥有无限潜力!! 请给在经历文化障碍的人一些建议叭！ 与众不同并不会让你低人一等。事实上，它会让你变得更持之以恒，更强大。