By Grace Ogbulafor
My life’s journey of moving from Nigeria was full of life lessons, self-discovery, and the importance of embracing one’s true self. Throughout this experience, the choice of wanting to belong while staying true to my beliefs emerged as a challenge, ultimately guiding me towards the empowering notion of interrelationship.
Leaving the familiarity of Nigeria was a leap into the unknown for me. The aspect of adapting to a new culture and society while preserving my identity seemed daunting. My First few days in America were marked by a sense of displacement. The clash of cultures left me questioning whether I would have to sacrifice parts of myself to fit in. The desire to fit in, to be accepted, was only natural for anyone who has had the chance to move to a new place, but I struggled with the fear of losing myself in the process. Even hugging and shaking people you know when you see them was seen as awkward to me because in Nigeria, that would be seen as intruding someone’s personal space, you could only do that with family. Maintaining my values and cultural identity became my goal as I felt like I would be losing a piece of myself the moment I started to drop my values. It was an internal tug-of-war between embracing change and holding onto my values.
The turning point came a few months later in America when I decided to just confidently be my true self and start opening up. Instead of viewing the differences as obstacles, I began to see them as a quest. Each encounter became an opportunity to share my story, and to bridge the gap between my culture and the new culture before me. Instead of changing myself and picking up new values, I decided to just be myself, accept and take which value I viewed as right, and make sure to stay respectful of the practice I didn’t agree with. Suddenly giving someone you just met a handshake didn’t seem as weird to me. This shift in mindset transformed the struggle into a journey of self-exploration and acceptance.
Interrelationship, as I came to understand it, was the key. It was not about conforming to a mold but rather about forging connections through authenticity. I realized that I didn’t have to change who I was to fit in; I simply had to be myself. The richness of my cultural background became a bridge rather than a barrier, creating avenues for genuine connections with those around me as people were excited to know more about me. I embraced the diversity around me and, in turn, allowed others to appreciate the uniqueness I brought to the table. In celebrating our differences, I found a sense of belonging that transcended the boundaries of nationality.
It’s through this journey that I discovered the true strength of cultural diversity. It’s not about erasing one’s identity but about weaving it into the vibrant tapestry of the collective human experience. My Nigerian heritage, with its rich traditions and values, became a source of pride rather than an obstacle to assimilation. In navigating the delicate balance between integration and identity preservation, I discovered that interrelationship is not just a concept; it’s a lived experience. It’s about forging connections that honor individuality and enrich the shared narrative.