Perhaps it is not unusual to have a mixed background or international experience these days, but for me, cultural challenges and diversity are factors that shaped my identity. Through self-discovery, I learned the importance of being open, but not vulnerable; open-minded, but not gullible. I learnt who I am.
I spent my childhood in Indonesia- Humid, populated, religious, dirty, with a rich culture and old traditions. Most of it comes from old religious stories and people. Listening to myths and old fables that taught me unique aspects of our culture and moral principles. I loved it. But, I would never belong. I am, what you can call, “not original.” It has been an arduous journey to come to terms that I could never be integrated as a true Indonesian, a true Korean, nor a true Japanese. After tears of denial, embarrassment, resentment, and ridicule, have I now accepted the fact that I can never truly be one, but am proud to say that I can belong to many.
Never having moved schools before 8th grade, I felt stuck. My world was stuck, and I subconsciously clung on to the comfortable routines I had everyday. Then one day, BAM. I had a revelation. If I went out and explored the countries, the people, their cultures, outside of where I was, maybe I could move on to the path of self-discovery. Months of pleading and charming and arguing, I finally managed to let my parents leave me in a dorm in Japan for the next four years of high school. I had many unforgettable experiences, boisterously running out of my comfort zone, but I learned. I learnt so much, meeting many who also couldn’t belong, different languages spoken, cultures frequently compared and clashed. It was chaos in my head. ‘So, I wasn’t the only one,’ I thought. Yet, it was futile making friends. No one would want a friend who was ashamed of where they came from. Everyone here are proud, regardless of what the media reports, or even having nobody know about their country’s existence. They are proud. Then, to my chagrin, I understood, I was at an impasse because I refused to acknowledge my lineage. My identity. My background. I embraced it. This is me.
As globalization is expanding at an increasing rate, slowly but surely, people are stepping up. Internationalism in Indonesia was one thing, however, in Japan, was a whole other issue. Sometimes, when localization is still well-secured, it is hard for people to open up to new ideas that seem contradictory to their own. I’ve always wanted to attend a high school in Japan. So I did. And what I experienced was disappointing. In Japan you see, people are content in staying where they are. There was always an indefinite line between themselves, and the “aliens.” Of course, that doesn’t mean that they weren’t nice. We are well-known for our manners. Globalized students, on the other hand, were characterized by their open-mindedness. What is so different about them? And how are they able to take in new ideas and thoughts that challenge their own beliefs?
The one driving force that keeps me yearning and learning. But, with so much information in this world, how would I know which way to go? At what stride? Would I regret? What if I wanted something else? I’m nervous, and i’m not ready. I know that Liberal Arts is the best possible choice for me as, it will allow me to look at the world from different perspective, compare, and make connections and learn anything I want, as much as I can. Language and cultural studies, through understanding of factors that build the society, such as politics, economy, psychology, as well as cultural aspects, I believe I will be able to take my brain capacity to a higher level. When I can deliberately understand people’s differences, I would be able to empathize and interact more effectively. I am not ready to take a step into the world outside high school, nevertheless I will find a way to always, ALWAYS, keep an open mind.
I spent my childhood in Indonesia- Humid, populated, religious, dirty, with a rich culture and old traditions. Most of it comes from old religious stories and people. Listening to myths and old fables that taught me unique aspects of our culture and moral principles. I loved it. But, I would never belong. I am, what you can call, “not original.” It has been an arduous journey to come to terms that I could never be integrated as a true Indonesian, a true Korean, nor a true Japanese. After tears of denial, embarrassment, resentment, and ridicule, have I now accepted the fact that I can never truly be one, but am proud to say that I can belong to many.
Never having moved schools before 8th grade, I felt stuck. My world was stuck, and I subconsciously clung on to the comfortable routines I had everyday. Then one day, BAM. I had a revelation. If I went out and explored the countries, the people, their cultures, outside of where I was, maybe I could move on to the path of self-discovery. Months of pleading and charming and arguing, I finally managed to let my parents leave me in a dorm in Japan for the next four years of high school. I had many unforgettable experiences, boisterously running out of my comfort zone, but I learned. I learnt so much, meeting many who also couldn’t belong, different languages spoken, cultures frequently compared and clashed. It was chaos in my head. ‘So, I wasn’t the only one,’ I thought. Yet, it was futile making friends. No one would want a friend who was ashamed of where they came from. Everyone here are proud, regardless of what the media reports, or even having nobody know about their country’s existence. They are proud. Then, to my chagrin, I understood, I was at an impasse because I refused to acknowledge my lineage. My identity. My background. I embraced it. This is me.
As globalization is expanding at an increasing rate, slowly but surely, people are stepping up. Internationalism in Indonesia was one thing, however, in Japan, was a whole other issue. Sometimes, when localization is still well-secured, it is hard for people to open up to new ideas that seem contradictory to their own. I’ve always wanted to attend a high school in Japan. So I did. And what I experienced was disappointing. In Japan you see, people are content in staying where they are. There was always an indefinite line between themselves, and the “aliens.” Of course, that doesn’t mean that they weren’t nice. We are well-known for our manners. Globalized students, on the other hand, were characterized by their open-mindedness. What is so different about them? And how are they able to take in new ideas and thoughts that challenge their own beliefs?
The one driving force that keeps me yearning and learning. But, with so much information in this world, how would I know which way to go? At what stride? Would I regret? What if I wanted something else? I’m nervous, and i’m not ready. I know that Liberal Arts is the best possible choice for me as, it will allow me to look at the world from different perspective, compare, and make connections and learn anything I want, as much as I can. Language and cultural studies, through understanding of factors that build the society, such as politics, economy, psychology, as well as cultural aspects, I believe I will be able to take my brain capacity to a higher level. When I can deliberately understand people’s differences, I would be able to empathize and interact more effectively. I am not ready to take a step into the world outside high school, nevertheless I will find a way to always, ALWAYS, keep an open mind.