an ethnical dilemma
...e a little angry. I want to scream, “I'm a human being! What are you?” Born and raised in Rochester, New York, I grew up as what I would call a normal atmosphere. I had my moms side that were all Spanish and very Americanized and I had my fathers side that lived an ocean away in a totally different world, in Amman, Jordan. Being an Arabian American has its faults as well as its pluses. During my freshman year it was decided that it was time for me to learn about whom it is that I really am. So I was sent off to Jordan. Thankfully I already spoke Arabic fluently so I didn’t have a problem speaking. I lived with my uncle and aunt in their home for two years. I went to an all Arabic Muslim private school, where I met a very wide variety of multiracial Muslims. Obviously because of my upbringing I was considered very strange in the eyes of many people. Things that I considered to be normal they did not. I was used to being able to wear anything I wanted or going out with friends or just sitting and having a conversation with someone of the opposite sex. I quickly learned that I was wrong. To them there was no need for a girl to wear just anything the traditional dress was fine to them. and going out, the family was more than enough company. And talking to some boy that was a very big restriction unless he was somehow related and even in that case it wasn’t that commonly allowed. I was in a very different universe than the one I was used to, but I learned how to handle things. I studied religion constantly and found out many things. I realized that I had a lot to learn. I especially learned how to distinguish the differences between my two worlds. They are exact opposites. From my Arabian world I learned how to read and write Arabic, I wore the traditional dress always, I learned not just the religion but I also learned the culture. I was what they would consider an average Muslim Arabian girl. But there is still another side to me, my original self. It took me over two years but I was finally able to put together a little from both worlds to become the person that I am today. Going to Jordan made me realize that it’s ok to be different; there is nothing wrong with it. I feel very fortunate to have had these opportunities to see the world. I was lucky enough to grow up under the example that going cool places beats buying cool things. I am grateful for this example because I have learned that it is...