From America to India...
Naman: Where are you from?
Arjun: I am from New York City (Manhattan), New York.
Naman: Is there a large Indian population where you live? Do you wish there were more Indians?
Arjun: Um, no not really! In New York there are a lot of Indians, especially in Queens and Brooklyn, but not in Manhattan where I live. Generally, it is nice to have Indians because it easier to relate with people from a similar cultural background. However, I've been able to adapt to people from different backgrounds and traditions equally well.
Naman: As an Indian-American, how were you able to connect to the American culture?
Arjun: I connected to the American culture because most of my friends were Caucasian. I spent lot of time with them play sports, hanging out, and engaging in culturally American activities.
Naman: As an Indian-American, how were you able to connect to the Indian culture?
Arjun: I connected to the Indian culture through my family, traditions, and certain activities we engaged in.
Naman: How often did you eat Indian food back at home? Do you miss it now that you are in college?
Arjun: I ate Indian food two to three times a week for dinner. Unlike most of my peers, I don't miss it as much.
Naman: Did you ever take interest in Indian religion? And if so, how? Did you go to the temple?
Arjun: When I was young, I used to go to classes about Hindu scriptures and texts. Also, my parents and grandparent would tell me stories about Indian epics. Yes, me and my family went to the temple couple times a year for the important Hindu holidays.
Naman: Do you wish you were influenced to more Indian culture at a young age? Possibly a certain language?
Arjun: I wish I could speak Hindi, but I can't. As a result, I took up Hindi in college and hope to apply my knowledge to my family. Other than that, I feel quite cultured. I enjoy wearing Indian clothes and learning about my heritage.
Naman: How often have to visited India? And what do you remember from you trips there? Do you want to go back?
Arjun: I visit India every one to two years. Sometimes more often, depending if we have to attend an occasion. I remember my family, the exotic customs, and vibrant colors, and traditional food. I love visiting my parents homeland. I would definitely go back.
Naman: Are you proud to be an Indian?
Arjun: Yeah! Definitely proud to be an Indian. Jai Ho!
Naman: Is there any other way, you would have wanted your parents to raise you in terms of learning Indian culture?
Arjun: I feel like they tried to expose me to as much as they could. It is really hard to learn about Indian culture in America. I just wished I learned Hindi at a young age.
Arjun: I am from New York City (Manhattan), New York.
Naman: Is there a large Indian population where you live? Do you wish there were more Indians?
Arjun: Um, no not really! In New York there are a lot of Indians, especially in Queens and Brooklyn, but not in Manhattan where I live. Generally, it is nice to have Indians because it easier to relate with people from a similar cultural background. However, I've been able to adapt to people from different backgrounds and traditions equally well.
Naman: As an Indian-American, how were you able to connect to the American culture?
Arjun: I connected to the American culture because most of my friends were Caucasian. I spent lot of time with them play sports, hanging out, and engaging in culturally American activities.
Naman: As an Indian-American, how were you able to connect to the Indian culture?
Arjun: I connected to the Indian culture through my family, traditions, and certain activities we engaged in.
Naman: How often did you eat Indian food back at home? Do you miss it now that you are in college?
Arjun: I ate Indian food two to three times a week for dinner. Unlike most of my peers, I don't miss it as much.
Naman: Did you ever take interest in Indian religion? And if so, how? Did you go to the temple?
Arjun: When I was young, I used to go to classes about Hindu scriptures and texts. Also, my parents and grandparent would tell me stories about Indian epics. Yes, me and my family went to the temple couple times a year for the important Hindu holidays.
Naman: Do you wish you were influenced to more Indian culture at a young age? Possibly a certain language?
Arjun: I wish I could speak Hindi, but I can't. As a result, I took up Hindi in college and hope to apply my knowledge to my family. Other than that, I feel quite cultured. I enjoy wearing Indian clothes and learning about my heritage.
Naman: How often have to visited India? And what do you remember from you trips there? Do you want to go back?
Arjun: I visit India every one to two years. Sometimes more often, depending if we have to attend an occasion. I remember my family, the exotic customs, and vibrant colors, and traditional food. I love visiting my parents homeland. I would definitely go back.
Naman: Are you proud to be an Indian?
Arjun: Yeah! Definitely proud to be an Indian. Jai Ho!
Naman: Is there any other way, you would have wanted your parents to raise you in terms of learning Indian culture?
Arjun: I feel like they tried to expose me to as much as they could. It is really hard to learn about Indian culture in America. I just wished I learned Hindi at a young age.