Communications Intern Maya Brown intrinsically understands the importance of global perspective. To commemorate International Education Week, Maya has shared some thoughts on what international education means to her.
I grew up as an American ex-pat who had never even lived in my native country. India, however, was my true home for the first decade of my life, enveloping me with the rich culture, people, and education that the country had to offer. I believe one sees the world from an altered perspective depending on where one grows up. I had a contrasting view of geography because I thought India was in the center of the world, and that cricket was the king of all sports. Being raised in a populous South Asian nation enriched my understanding of culture, especially in a nation that had only recently begun to lift itself from its colonial shackles.
I was raised in a country with both a deep sense of nationalism as well as an extremely diverse culture. My classes were riddled with historical teachings of great Indian leaders like Chandragupta, the great unifier, and the Gandhi family are historically associated with overcoming British colonialism. Learning about India’s past as both an enslaved and free nation was equally important. It was incredible seeing the emotion in teachers as they recalled the actions of their ancestors to liberate the Indian people from the colonial wrath of the British. The historical recounting were also coupled with Hindu folklore of great gods such as the deity Ganesh with the body of a human and the head of an elephant, as well as the origin stories of Krishna, from a mischievous with a sweet-tooth growing up to be a symbol of compassion and love. Listening and reading to the stories of the nation opened my eyes to the richness India had to offer, albeit two hundred years of British rule over the Indian people.
Additionally, many of my friends came from Muslim, Parsi, Sikh, and Jain backgrounds. I learned about religion through the eyes of my peers including the importance of fasting, puja, turbans, and other religious signifiers.
In a country as diverse as India, I learned at a young age that ethnic and religious differences make us unique, however, it was also challenging to attend a school where I am the only non-Indian, both in my language abilities and looks. I was teased by peers over my eyes for being too “chinky” and by teachers for not knowing Mumbai’s dominant languages, Hindi and Marathi. It was arduous growing up with no one who looked like me or understood my challenges of being viewed as a foreigner in the only country I had ever known. However, as my family moved back to the US, I began to relish the fond memories of my life in the South of Asia.
You ate Diverse with a capital D!! Just what our world needs. Thanks for sharing you.
Thanks for the support, Cath!