Personal Narrative: How Culture Changed My Life
Created by two countries
I am a full-blooded Ghanaian girl who went from sleeping on one side of the equator to the other without choosing to do so. From Kumasi, Ghana, to the quiet neighborhood of Coon Rapids, Minnesota. I am an immigrant by heart, but an American by mind. I am a tug-of-war game, held together by what created me. Two countries, Ghana, and America pull hard at each other, battling one another for the complete claim of me. However, I remain stuck in between the two, not knowing which culture has conquered me.
September 6th, 2006 was the day my brother, and I left our mother and home in Ghana to come to America. After a long 12 hour flight, I met my father for the first time. It was an unforgettable moment. He was taller than I imagined and had a brilliant smile. His eyes sparkled with delight as he helped us carry our bags. He asked us a plethora of questions while chomping hard on his gum as we journeyed to our new home. I had to welcome this new change and opportunity. Since I was eight years old, I didn’t quite understand that this was a big change and with my brother was by my side, it felt as though I had not completely left Ghana. I was still in my hometown Kumasi, it just looked a lot different. As time passed, I adapted into the American culture and the tug-of-war battle began. …show more content…
I got through most days by sticking to a few words, such as: Yes, no, or the phrase “I have to go to the bathroom.” This helped me get by in elementary school. The two different countries became my best friends, yet each remained on the opposite sides of the playground. I played hopscotch with America then jump roped with Ghana. The problem, though, was that these two friends never wanted to play the same games. Both cultures of mine never intertwined with each other. I was stuck constantly going back and forth, playing each part to never disappoint one or the
I am a full-blooded Ghanaian girl who went from sleeping on one side of the equator to the other without choosing to do so. From Kumasi, Ghana, to the quiet neighborhood of Coon Rapids, Minnesota. I am an immigrant by heart, but an American by mind. I am a tug-of-war game, held together by what created me. Two countries, Ghana, and America pull hard at each other, battling one another for the complete claim of me. However, I remain stuck in between the two, not knowing which culture has conquered me.
September 6th, 2006 was the day my brother, and I left our mother and home in Ghana to come to America. After a long 12 hour flight, I met my father for the first time. It was an unforgettable moment. He was taller than I imagined and had a brilliant smile. His eyes sparkled with delight as he helped us carry our bags. He asked us a plethora of questions while chomping hard on his gum as we journeyed to our new home. I had to welcome this new change and opportunity. Since I was eight years old, I didn’t quite understand that this was a big change and with my brother was by my side, it felt as though I had not completely left Ghana. I was still in my hometown Kumasi, it just looked a lot different. As time passed, I adapted into the American culture and the tug-of-war battle began. …show more content…
I got through most days by sticking to a few words, such as: Yes, no, or the phrase “I have to go to the bathroom.” This helped me get by in elementary school. The two different countries became my best friends, yet each remained on the opposite sides of the playground. I played hopscotch with America then jump roped with Ghana. The problem, though, was that these two friends never wanted to play the same games. Both cultures of mine never intertwined with each other. I was stuck constantly going back and forth, playing each part to never disappoint one or the