Influence of Indian Culture on my American Upbringing

Growing up as an Indian American teenager in today's world is quite the interesting experience. The two cultures are polar opposites of each other, and yet I am inadvertently forced to strike a balance between them everyday. Nevertheless, my Indian culture has had an extremely nuanced influence on my American upbringing.

India is known for its love of the arts. This same passion was instilled in me as a young child by my grandparents. Living in New York city - the proverbial "cross roads of the world", has provided me with a whole world of fusion art. One of my favorite things to do is to pop on over to the Met to check out their new exhibits. I can lose myself in thought for hours, as I contemplate the meaning of the artwork before me. My grandfather taught me that every brushstroke, every splash of color is the artist's way of representing himself to the world. I am not an artist myself, but I take my grandfather's words to heart every time I look at a new painting. Consequently, my love for art has transcended both of the cultural influences in my life.

Indian culture has also played a pivotal role in my American education. From birth, Indian children are taught to work hard and study long hours. We believe that these are the keys to success and happiness in life. The American culture, however, places an emphasis on free thinking and a more laid back way of studying. However, I chose not to follow this path. Consequently, when my peers were frolicking around and neglecting their studies, I was studying hard and committing every bit of information that I had learned to memory. My parents fostered a drive for academic excellence in me, and it was this drive that led me to success in school. I was constantly surrounded by intelligent Indian children, and I worked under the pretense of wanting to be just like them. As I grew up and entered high school, my academic mindset never wavered. In spite of having friends who enjoyed living in the moment rather than worrying about the future, I concentrated on my studies and reached for the top. Now, even as a high school senior, two months away from graduation and with eight college acceptance letters, I am still working hard. The Indian culture has taught me that there is a time and a place for everything. Working hard now will ensure my success and happiness in the future. The Indian culture places such a strong emphasis on education that failure really isn't an option. For me personally, the culture has taught me never to settle for average, and to push for the best.

The influence of Indian culture on my way of life is perhaps most pronounced in the social aspect of my life. In America, teenagers are given much more freedom than their Indian counterparts. American teens are allowed to stay out late, go to parties, attend concerts, and date. They also face more relaxed parental attitudes when it comes to smoking or drinking. I am an American teenager, and thus I need to face these temptations everyday. I have seen people give in to temptation and later pay the price. For me, giving in has never been an issue. The Indian culture has imbued me with a strong code of morals and values. From day one, I have been taught to always take the path that will ensure happiness and success, and not to engage in destructive actions. My parents trust my judgment and they know me well enough to realize that I won't do anything to disappoint them. The Indian culture places a large emphasis on respect for our elders. Every time I am faced with a new temptation - I think to myself, "What would my parents think if they knew I was doing this?" It is an extremely powerful incentive to stay on the right track. This is not to say, I don't have fun, which is far from the case. I live my life normally, but my Indian roots keep me grounded in an otherwise flighty culture. Having seen many of my peers fall into the wrong crowd or the wrong way of life, I find myself incredibly thankful to have a strong set of principles that keep me on the right path in life.

America has given me a host of wonderful opportunities and experiences. My Indian roots have taught me to grasp these opportunities and make the most of them. I live my life with definite goals in mind and I work hard in the pursuit of excellence. The freedom of America coupled with the morals and principles of my Indian background, have allowed me to carve a comfortable niche for myself in today's society. In the end, I am not wholly Indian, nor am I wholly American. I represent the subtleties of both cultures, and for that I will always be proud.