“You’re just different. You look like us, and your family is from here, but you’re so American,” Marilyn told me for the twentieth time. I understood well enough that being first generation American set me apart, but going to the most prestigious boarding school in Kampala, Uganda and trying to fit in with kids my age was another battle.
Being Bellevue born, with Ugandan parents teaching me African ways in an American society gave me an interesting upbringing. I was like a cougar being raised in a lion enclosure. My parents wanted to further that by having me travel to Uganda for the third time and become independent in a foreign place. Six weeks at King’s College Budo were more than a culture shock; they were a different world.
Stepping off the plane at Entebbe Airport was surreal. I breathed in the dusty, earthy smell of the Motherland. I looked over at my mother and she smiled a smile I hadn’t seen in such a long time. She told me she was finally home. Although I felt like I was on vacation, I knew deep down that I was home too, because my roots were in Kampala, Uganda, not Bellevue, Washington.
Being first generation American was something I had gotten used to as a little girl. I never knew however that my peers didn’t have to go through the same experiences. I started travelling to Uganda at the age of 3. Visiting my grandparents, the villages, and learning Luganda came with the territory. Growing up in an African household here in Bellevue was normal. Every time I went to Uganda however, I still felt the culture shock as if I’d never been there in my life.
When I finally got settled in at King’s College Budo, I didn’t know how to conduct myself, and had nobody to help me through the process of becoming socialized. I immediately picked up on the differences between schools in Kampala and schools in Bellevue. The curriculum at Budo was not interactive; the only thing required was to take notes and take tests. I had to get used to waking up at 5:30am without electronics, attend my classes, and be in bed by 10:30pm. Because I’ve been accustomed to waking up and coming home to my mom, watching television, doing homework and eating without designated times, I felt very homesick at Budo. Interactions with my peers made my isolation worse. I was constantly sized up, negatively talked about in Luganda, which I’m fluent in, and criticized for having westernized values.
As the weeks went by, I met a girl named Sheila who helped integrate me into the Ugandan boarding school culture and enabled me to wear my second set of cultural binoculars and learn more about the Ugandan culture through the eyes of fellow teenagers. Sheila got to know me Also, the school system I’ve been raised in taught me to work exceptionally hard and use the fact that I’m both Ugandan and American to my advantage with my worldly perspectives that my peers in Bellevue didn’t have. I finally realized that this was exactly the reason why I travelled all the way to Uganda, to learn more about myself and others.
Once I returned to Bellevue, I saw the amount of resources I had access to. I also realized that just because my roots are in Uganda, doesn’t mean that by default I would be treated as an equal and understand all the societal norms. I finally learned firsthand that travelling opens one’s mind up to new experiences, physically and mentally, and cultures a person. Being able to say that I’m not only from a certain country, but I’ve been there and experienced pieces of that culture that many others cannot attest to humbles me and gives me the authority to speak on those experiences. I am extremely grateful that my family is from Uganda, and that my parents decided early on that I would not be ignorant about the beautiful country I’ve come from.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “A New Set of Cultural Binoculars”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Looking for a summer vacation that will keep the whole family entertained? Check out the list of 51 great family summer vacation ideas in this blog. Whether you’re looking for something outdoorsy, historical, or just a relaxing getaway, this blog has covered. From beach trips to amusement park adventures also there’s something for families vacation in Klamath. So whether you’re planning your dream vacation or just dreaming it up, be sure to check out this blog.
Hello, I enjiy eading alll of your artkcle post. I waanted tto write
a little comment too support you.
I needed to thank you for this fantastic read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to check out new stuff you post
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what people wrote but this site is very user genial! .
Congratulations on the content. Interesting..
Interesting and something new for me. Thanks for travel inspirations! 🙂
Awesome. I’m getting ready for my next trip, so I’m looking forward to more posts about places like whis. 😀 Thanks! 🙂
It sounds like Barcelona would be a great destination to study Spanish, even if Madrid or another town had more native speakers. Thanks for sharing the info, will look into this school for our teens.
Very interesting topic, appreciate it for posting. “He who seizes the right moment is the right man.” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Great web site yoou have here.. It’s difcicult to find high quakity wrriting like yours these days.I seriously apreciate people like
you! Taake care!!
You are so cool! I don’t think I have read through something like that before.
So wonderful to find someone with some genuine thoughts on this issue.
Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the web,
someone with a bit of originality!
Top ,.. top top … post! Keep the good work on !
your article is so unique and very good
Thanks a lot for the blog post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
Very informative post. Really Great.
Thanks for the blog article.Really thank you!
That was a nice write-up.The article was so informative thanks for sharing and keep posting.
also, you might check at Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article and thank You for Providing Such a Unique and valuable information on
also, you can visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore<
Really informative and valuable blog, keep sharing. Also, you could look Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, if you want more visit- Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, you can also have a look on Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
well- articulated ! Thanks for sharing, Also, you may visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Excellent blog post, thanks for giving such informative articles. You might also check
Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Appreciating the time and effort you put into your website and in depth
information you provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Great read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Great Blog post. Thanks for sharing, also, you can visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us. you can also check on Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
such a helpful and interesting blog, Thanks for the post. you can also visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Really informative and valuable blog, keep sharing. also, you might check at Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
That was a nice write-up. The article was so informative thanks for sharing and keep posting. you can also check onTours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, if you want more visit- Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
The greatest time to travel to Alaskan was during summer because the days are longer and the weather is warmer.
Relax on your spacious terrace as your opulent cruise liner passes creaky blue-white glaciers and verdant forests.
I could not refrain from commenting. Very well written!
Excellent blog post. I definitely love this site. Thanks!
Excellent brief and this article helped me alot. Say thank you I looking
for your information.
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
Your information is of great quality, thanks for sharing.
I have noted these ideas and will follow them this summer vacation. cause last time have enjoyed https://www.goldenbustours.com/new-york-to-niagara-falls-bus-tours/ and that was cool experince for me.
This is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Brief but very precise info… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post!