Between two worlds: A bi-cultural balancing act.
By Soyal | 19 | Adelaide
I've always found myself caught between two worlds: the culture I inherited and the one I live in.
Bridging the gap has been a lifelong challenge, filled with complexities and confusion, but ultimately a journey of self-discovery.
Amidst the soft glow of my laptop screen, I sit perched on the edge of my bed, a portrait of contemplation. With my fingertips resting lightly on the keyboard, I peer intently at the SATAC website. Trapped within the confines of my room, I sit in a cocoon of quiet introspection. The cursor hovers over the menus of different university courses, each option a tantalising possibility, yet also a daunting commitment.
In my final year of high school, I faced a dilemma: honour my parents' expectations or pursue my own path? I was caught between two worlds, and I've been here many times.
Growing up, I navigated the fundamental differences in values between my Indian heritage and Australian upbringing.
Indians value interconnectedness within families and communities, often with hierarchical social structures and decisions made with the group in mind. In contrast, Australians value personal autonomy and self-expression, prioritising personal choice even if it means deviating from societal expectations.
The conflict between these cultural values has made decision-making challenging.
Throughout my life, I've learned that striking a healthy balance requires a handful of ingredients: Introspection, communication, and compromise.
The latter has been an ongoing learning process for me. It's difficult to please everyone, and important compromises oftentimes need to be made. But what's important is finding a balance. Rather than striving for a singular definition of self, I've learned to celebrate the mosaic of my identity and embrace the complexity of being bicultural.
In the end, being bicultural is not just a challenge—it's a gift.
It has equipped me with the tools to navigate an increasingly interconnected world, where borders are fluid and identities are multifaceted. It's invited me to embrace the complexity of human identity, to celebrate the richness of a diverse heritage, and to find strength in the spaces in between.
I may be caught between two worlds, but I've found my own unique place within the overlap.
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.