Evan H

                                             Photography by Sean Kennedy

If you’re reading this, your differences make you unique.

Growing up in a multicultural household, I’ve come to understand the values and traditions of two drastically different worlds. Christmas and Ramadan were celebrated each year at my house — it wasn’t until I turned 13 or 14 that I realized how uncommon the combination of the pair was. My mother is from Jakarta, and my father grew up in Greensboro. Whether it’s Thanksgiving dinner with my American cousins or leaping in lomba makan kerupuk during Merdeka with the Indonesian members of my community, I’ve cultivated an appreciation of different perspectives and customs beyond my own. 

Being of mixed race at a PWI has been a challenge in itself and it affects how I look, think, and feel. At times, I find myself caught between the two worlds I grew up in, conflicted between how I act in the United States and around family and friends abroad. I’ve connected more to my mother’s roots as I’ve gotten older by improving my language skills in Bahasa and finding academic opportunities to spend time overseas. It’s a newer part of me that’s difficult to identify with on campus due to the lack of an Indonesian community and being the only student at my university able to speak Bahasa Indonesia. 

I’ve found that despite that lack of community, it’s become more important to find and carve out spaces on campus where I can feel connected and understood by those around me. My diverse experiences back home have equipped me with a greater ability to relate to others regardless of their background. I’ve created my own community at the student newspaper where I spend most of my time on campus, where our staff come from all over the country and the world. 

If you’re reading this, I know it can be difficult navigating an unfamiliar environment, but it's important to understand your differences as strengths. In moments where you may feel isolated or misunderstood, remember that you aren’t alone in that experience, and it’s okay to reach out to others. We all struggle with our own identity and who we are. 

While you may not fit perfectly in the world around you, it's also what makes you unique and able to impact those within your orbit. Having multiple perspectives and experiences can enable you to connect to people and bridge gaps where they may not have existed.

Sincerely,

Evan H., Wake Forest University

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