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Home > Who am I > Bio Poem > The Community of the Garden > American Culture
Who am I?
Although all human beings might be similar because we all belong to the same
species and because we share cultural characteristics among some of us, our
personalities and perspectives make us differ from each other. Who am I? According
to an ID card, which is a social regulation and almost every other person has,
my name is Daniela Restrepo and I was born on November 2nd in Quito, Ecuador.
However, the environment in which I grew and certain experiences I’ve
had and will have, like studying abroad for one year; are shaping my personality
and are making me a unique individual. They have already influenced my perception
of life, helping me become what today I call myself.
In
Ecuador, as in most Latin American countries, the family is the core of the
social structure. Therefore, the family in which I was born is one of the most
important environmental facts that have had an influence upon me. For example,
being the eldest daughter of one son and three daughters, could be one of the
main causes of a strongest features of my personality; a high self-criticism.
Unconsciously, I try to be an example to follow for my siblings, to play the
role of the model daughter, which no one is able to do it in real life, no matter
how hard he/she tries. When I realize that, I feel frustrated due to that feeling
of self-criticism. Fortunately, the environmental characteristics that have
influenced me in a positive way have been stronger. I have grown in a family
which has been very stable, that has given me the feeling of being supported
and accepted. Besides environmental situations, we constantly live certain experiences
that also have effects on our personalities.
I truly believe in the law of cause and effect. According to that rule, what
we are today is the result of what we did yesterday. Therefore, our reactions
towards specific situations and our perspective of life might be based on experiences
we have had. After I graduated from high school, I went to study for one semester
in Italy. The experience of living alone and in a different country helped me
become more independent. It was also enriching because it opened my mind. I
became more tolerant, and more curious about knowing different places and people.
Studying
abroad for one year will undoubtedly leave many, hopefully enriching, experiences
in my life. The fact of meeting new people, not only from the United States
but also from other countries, will open my mind to many other different points
of view. It is interesting to see the amount of diverse perspectives that exist
for one same thing. Also, one year is a considerable space of time in which
I’ll be able not only to learn, but also to understand North American
culture. I might be able to achieve this by learning the language, getting to
know many people, and by visiting different places inside the United States.
I think that the true understanding of any culture, by observing and living
it, is important for our personal growth. If we understand it, we can take advantage
of it by absorbing those things that agree with our values. It would also help
us become more tolerant with certain things that we don’t agree with.
Personal
experiences as well as the environment that surrounds us are important causes
that determine the way we see the world. Personality and perspective are important
things that distinguish one human being from the rest. I think that we can learn
from every experience we have. Studying one year abroad will have a significant
impact on my personality. After one year, if I ask myself the question “Who
am I?” I will probably have a very different answer.