Global Identities – Page 15 – GW Blogs from Abroad

Community Abroad

AdminOctober 3, 2014December 14, 2018

I decided to post about 5 places/people that make up my community abroad. The first and arguably most influential destination in Milan is Duomo di Milano. This beautiful cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete. It is the fifth largest cathedral in the world, and the largest in Italy. This religious masterpiece is a testament to the mastery of Italian architecture and engineering. I only wish my iPhone’s camera could capture all of the masterfully carved details of this grand cathedral. The try beauty of Duomo can be seen around midnight, when the square is free of street vendors and tourist. ...continue reading "Community Abroad"

Road Bike Party

AdminOctober 2, 2014December 14, 2018

By sreyavaidya

This is the first picture that was taken in Morocco. Pictured, are my roommate Brianna (left) and our Host Mother, Aisha, who we call “Hajja” as a term of endearment and respect. This picture was taken with two vastly different people that I never expected to connect with. When I look at it now, I am surprised how drastically our relationships have grown, and how integral they are to my Moroccan community.

This is Haj and Hajja our host mother and father. When Brianna and I were first nervously introduced to our elderly host parents, we assumed to enter a stern patriarchal Moroccan household. But little did we realize Haj and Hajja are the coolest grandparents ever. Haj loves to take walks around the neighborhood in his UVA baseball hat, shades, and shirt that reads “Road Bike Party”. Hajja likes to give him disapproving looks as he reaches for the sugar cubes at breakfast for his mint tea. Little do we realize that some beautiful nuances of relationships and community never change. ...continue reading "Road Bike Party"

Growing up in the NYC metro area

AdminSeptember 4, 2014December 14, 2018

By bbarfiel

Growing up in the NYC metro area, I have been exposed to one of the most diverse areas in the world. I once read an article saying how there were over 15 different languages spoken in one given square mile. With that being said, some of my best friends growing up spoke Spanish, French, Italian, and Arabic. I have had the privilege to be taught amongst different cultures. From Pre-K to 3rd grade I was enrolled into a private Christian school that was made up of predominately African-Americans. 4th grade to 8th grade, I attended a predominately white “gifted and talented program”. While we may have had similar interest at that time (sports, music, video games) I was too stunned from the culture shock to engage with other students. After conquering that culture barrier, I attended a predominately Hispanic high school in New Jersey. Lastly, but definitely not least, I am currently enrolled in a predominately white institution, otherwise known as a PWI. ...continue reading "Growing up in the NYC metro area"

Identifying

AdminAugust 27, 2014December 14, 2018

By kendallpaynenewmedia

To put into words how you identify yourself is quite an interesting task. You see to identify yourself, you must first know yourself and this is not always as easy as it sounds. Every person in this world has a million different forces and factors that make up who they are, but most people, if faced with this question, would freeze.

I can’t say that one thing or even a few things have made me who I am today. Every experience, every moment that I have had has affected me. When defining my identity I have to look at all the different cultures and background that have affected my life so far. ...continue reading "Identifying"

Introduction to me

AdminAugust 26, 2014December 14, 2018

By claudiainpune

The task of describing myself to someone new always gives me a little bit of anxiety. Whether it’s an interview, essay, or just plain small talk, having to discuss my entire being in a few sentences leaves me blindsided. I guess a good place to start would be that I was born and raised in Miami, Fl, a city with a 70% Hispanic population demographic. Because of my upbringing, I feel that my identity can be split into three parts: my Cuban maternal side, my Peruvian paternal side, and my American conjunction of the two. ...continue reading "Introduction to me"

Beginnings

AdminAugust 26, 2014December 14, 2018

By sreyavaidya

I landed in Surat, a buzzling and expanding city in the state of Gujarat in early July. I arrived with a suitcase full of Purell and a head full of preconceived notions that had me glancing back nervously for pickpockets and stalkers at every turn. The person I see six weeks later is much different, the kind of difference the protagonist in a cheesy coming-of-age movie undergoes.

Before I begin to chronicle my adventures through the streets of Rabat and map the changes it brings in me, it is important to understand my starting point. My starting point for Morocco begins at the end of my time India. ...continue reading "Beginnings"

A Quick, Fateful Question

AdminJune 3, 2014December 14, 2018

By pw916

“Do you have a cigarette?” –“No,” I respond.

“Where are you from?” –“Uh oh,” I think.

In the few minutes following, I handed both my cell phone and about fifty dollars over to this man who had, in theory, just wanted a cigarette. I was inconspicuously walking home on a Sunday evening with just a carton of cashew juice in my hands, when a block and a half away from my apartment someone was walking behind my just a little too close for comfort. My mistake was in turning my head to see and initiating eye contact the man who was so close behind me. After indicating he had a weapon tucked in his waistband and me mistaking the gesture to mean that he was hungry, I offered him my carton of juice. Either feeling belittled or mocked (or both), he then forcefully blocked me from walking any further and demanded what I had in my pockets. ...continue reading " A Quick, Fateful Question"

Farewell Ye Land of Haggis and Bagpipes

AdminMay 31, 2014December 14, 2018

By sonyakalmin

As I reflect back on my semester abroad a number of things pop into my mind: my first walk to class, getting lost on my first walk to class, eating a full Scottish breakfast and learning to properly say “cheers” instead of thank you. Surprisingly however, the most memorable experiences of mine occurred in the last two weeks of my stay here. The first of these is my visit to The Big Cheese and the second is my long-awaited trip to the Scottish Highlands. The Big Cheese, you see, is a type of a student club, occurring solely on Saturday nights. ...continue reading "Farewell Ye Land of Haggis and Bagpipes"

You Aren’t Brazilian

AdminMay 7, 2014December 17, 2018

By pw916

“Você não é brasileiro.”

Having been colonized by the Portuguese and chosen as a destination for European emigrants, Brazil has a decently sized white population. So, although my light hair and green eyes may make me stick out a tad, it certainly wouldn’t exclude me from “looking Brazilian.” But, whenever I open my mouth, the obvious becomes, well, obvious: I’m not Brazilian. ...continue reading "You Aren’t Brazilian"

The Identity Crisis

AdminApril 30, 2014December 14, 2018

By sonyakalmin

In my first post, I gave a brief account on my background as an Ukranian-American. Following up, in the next series of posts, I described the categorization of Americans that takes place here in Scotland. Interestingly enough, not much has changed in terms of my identity. It's pretty clear to everyone around me that I'm American. When asked where I come from, my first instinct is always to say New York. However, if asked about my nationality, I do tend to delve a little deeper and illuminate my audience on my ethnic diversity. Going back to the United States, I will definitely be much more aware of my American dialect. Out of all characteristics differentiating me from my peers, it's the one that's been the most poignant. While not everyone here is of Scottish or English descent, they have all grown up learning "British" pronunciation and grammar. These are students coming from all over Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. So of course it’s hard to even get into the topic of identity when the first words of my mouth give it all away. ...continue reading "The Identity Crisis"