“Heritage”, a word defining who we are and how we live, is very important to me. My parents taught me that my heritage defines my identity. In order to honor the traditional virtues of my Indian grandparents, I accepted Hindu customs as part of the duality that defines my life in the United States.
However, a conflict arose under the surface of that peaceful co-existence. Even though I externally represented the archetypal Indian girl, I abhorred fitting into this stereotypical mold. I felt like I was torn from the fabric of American life and submerged into a paradox between my ancestral home and the world I lived in. My heritage was an anchor holding me down against the growing tide; I had two choices: to break free or go under.
Struggling with this dilemma, I tried to be aware of what my heritage had to offer. As a Bollywood dance instructor, I had helped kids build discipline and individuality through dance. As a bilingual tutor, I taught young South Indian-American children the Indian language Telugu, while teaching immigrant children English. My heritage became an instrument I used to harmonize personal development with service to others. …show more content…
Using my English and Telugu language skills, I helped the education-deprived orphans to read and write in English. Moreover, observing the poor living conditions of the orphans, as well as many underprivileged people in India, I formed a goal to improve their lives. Eventually, I started a fundraiser to raise money for better healthcare in a small village outside of Hyderabad, India. I persuaded doctors and my peers to get involved in the fundraiser. By the end of last year, with the help of numerous small donations, I raised over a thousand dollars. I was then able to help the poverty-stricken Indian village attain proper
However, a conflict arose under the surface of that peaceful co-existence. Even though I externally represented the archetypal Indian girl, I abhorred fitting into this stereotypical mold. I felt like I was torn from the fabric of American life and submerged into a paradox between my ancestral home and the world I lived in. My heritage was an anchor holding me down against the growing tide; I had two choices: to break free or go under.
Struggling with this dilemma, I tried to be aware of what my heritage had to offer. As a Bollywood dance instructor, I had helped kids build discipline and individuality through dance. As a bilingual tutor, I taught young South Indian-American children the Indian language Telugu, while teaching immigrant children English. My heritage became an instrument I used to harmonize personal development with service to others. …show more content…
Using my English and Telugu language skills, I helped the education-deprived orphans to read and write in English. Moreover, observing the poor living conditions of the orphans, as well as many underprivileged people in India, I formed a goal to improve their lives. Eventually, I started a fundraiser to raise money for better healthcare in a small village outside of Hyderabad, India. I persuaded doctors and my peers to get involved in the fundraiser. By the end of last year, with the help of numerous small donations, I raised over a thousand dollars. I was then able to help the poverty-stricken Indian village attain proper