Culture Shock

I was born in India and moved here when I was 6. I was a late walker and talker, I actually didn't talk or walk until I was 4. Since I was late with everything, my learning process, of course, had to start late. I grew up learning both the Indian and American cultures simultaneously. The first thing that I didn't understand was how my mom had a "job". When I was asked what my mom does, I replied, "nothing, she stays home all day." When my teacher told me that being a housewife was a full time job, I thought she had lost it. The first 5 years of my life, I was used to the men in the house working and the women staying home to cook and clean, it was the way it worked in India. Slowly but surely I learned that staying home and cleaning is very important and my mom actually works really hard, especially when she has to put up with three guys (me, my dad, and my younger brother). I learned to appreciate my mom a lot more because I moved here. I can say this because even though India is becoming more democratic, there are still bits of the old traditions reflected in the daily way of life. For example, my guy cousins all work while their wives stay home and they aren't even allowed to want to work outside of the home. If I was to still live there, I'm pretty sure my mentality would be like so.

Having grown up in NY for so long, I am very used to speeding through everything. This past summer, I went to Quebec for a week, and it did not feel anything like a week; 1 hour there felt like 5 hours here. Everyone took their time for everything, from driving to walking to eating. People were very laid back about everything and very very very generous. I remember stopping at a no standing zone here and I got a ticket, over there, the officer actually apologized for asking me to move because I was parked at a no standing zone. I had never experienced people being so kind and I actually had to come back early because I felt as though it was a conspiracy, why else would anyone be so kind when they didn't even know me? Although it scared me, I definitely enjoyed the time spent there.

First Entry

I am currently a sophomore at Baruch. I love the school but hate the commute. I am the oldest of 3 and so I've always had the most responsibility. Management interests me a lot and I was considering majoring in it. The only factor to keep me away from doing so is the fact that I can't get a job as a manager directly after graduation, and so I am planning on doing International Marketing. Outside of school, I enjoy working out and I am a health freak; no fried food, no junk, etc. I gets pretty annoying for my family and friends. Thats a little about me!