Finding Home: Growing up as a first generation Australian
By Rhea | 18 years old | Toowoomba
As I walked out of Chennai airport in India, I felt oddly at home. However, am I allowed to call a place I barely know, home?
Visiting India recently as a 17 year old, feeling at home was new to me. Most of my life, I felt like I had no connection to India, I wasn’t really in contact with my relatives and I only occasionally practised cultural traditions. I’ve always appreciated India, however, I’ve never considered it as my home because I’ve only lived there for 6 months as an infant.
Despite all of these thoughts, while I was in India, the community made me feel at home. Being able to see my relatives' houses, way of life and hear their stories was heartwarming.
Sitting down with my grandma and learning more about the sacrifices my ancestors made to receive education empowered me to continue the legacy of my family and build a better future for generations to come.
In India, I felt connected to my cultural heritage, a sense of belonging. In India, most people resembled me, ate the same food as me and had shared lived experiences. Amidst this new sense of home, I also missed my home in Toowoomba, Australia.
In India, I had a significant language barrier, meaning that most people couldn’t understand me and I also experienced large cultural differences. These small things made me miss my home in Toowoomba. I’ve lived in Toowoomba for 15 years and I feel at home here too. I understand the way of life and I know more about my friends in Toowoomba than I ever will about my family in India. I’ve received an amazing education and am given opportunities to have my voice heard. Again, living here doesn’t come without its difficulties. I've often been subject to casual racism in many different settings and have felt different to my peers.
After a lot of reflection, I’ve realised that home is not necessarily a place, rather a feeling. For anyone out there confused about where home is, just know that you can call anywhere home, regardless of the amount of time you’ve spent there.
As a first-generation Australian, navigating two distinct cultures is both special and challenging. I cherish this in-between life, as it has given me a unique perspective on the world. It's not always easy, but I've learned to embrace my cultural heritage, finding strength in the intersection of my Indian roots and Australian upbringing.
The views expressed in AYAC’S youth blog are personal and and not an endorsement of AYAC; we value and encourage the diverse perspectives of young people.