Identity is not only forged by the way a person were parented but also, by the society in which that were raised. By adding gender and race to this mix, then one could clearly see the layers of identity and conditioning building up. Now all of these different aspects of identity combine to determine how you view the world. As a Venezuelan immigrant, I have a mix and match of values. Therefore, I see the world as a vast place to explore my opportunities that it can offer me and create experiences to grow a little bit more each day. As well as, be as open minded as possible with the differences of cultures and identities that people may have. Also, not as an immigrant but as a woman, I see that they are even more opportunities in comparison to my past generations and this has taught me to be as hard working that I could be. Everything is due to demonstrate that the world are involving in something more inclusive and beautiful that ever before and been a living proof of it is just mind blowing. These identities that I have, give me these advantages in the world that surrounds me. I have not only have become an open-minded person and a hard-worker but also an inclusive one since, that’s how I feel I have been treated for the majority of the time. Furthermore, my “mix and match” identity, have given me more important values. I have become communicative and express what I are my perspectives of the world as I viewed it, also, i feel i became a little futuristic too. I love to peer over the horizons that my family didn’t see before. My only one disadvantage that I could think of is that maybe from others perspectives and point of views is that I still do not have a large image of the others cultures in comparison with my own and that’s why I prefer to be open minded to anything and everything so i can see what the world can offer me and learned as much as possible from this different cultures such as the Chinese culture.
As my trip to China approach, I expect to find a vary of identities. I don’t really want to make a stereotype and think in a few in general, i prefer to surprise myself than, became disappointed. Shanghai is a really BIG and VAST city and I am pretty sure I will not get bored by seeing the different ideas and perspectives that the people of this city have to offer me. Obviously, the people that I may meet abroad may experience the world different from me and have different ideas and THAT’S OK! Like i said before, that is what I am expecting and I am the more excited about. For example, probably the native people of Shanghai will be slower pace than me or they will be a closed minded about certain topics in comparison with me but that’s something I don’t mind. (I have heard that) Chinese culture is very coordinated and strict. Also, very focussed in the Harmonious and balanced of the things. I think this can be both an advantage and disadvantage for them. Advantage since, it is my belief that properly coordinating different things by bringing them together in the appropriate manner allows them to develop from an uncoordinated state to one of coordination. Modern Chinese society seems that tries to maintain harmony between humankind and nature as well. On the other hand, been to strict can be a disadvantage. Overall, I am so glad that I am taking advantage of this opportunity to study abroad and I can not wait to experience a different culture and points of view from that side of the world. I’m very lucky to have the full on-site support and experience of my family, friends and my school and pretty soon I’ll be packing up my luggage (I HOPE), which I expect to be somewhat time-consuming and mind-boggling.
