Example Of A Personal Narrative Essay On Identity

During my adolescence, I always stood out. I moved from Lowell, Massachusetts, which was filled with family, culture, and traditions, to eastern North Carolina at the age of six and entered a new school. Moving to a new state changed my life; I was no longer surrounded by my family and culture. Having an Indian Heritage I was the minority in my new town. Being the only Indian in school made me self-conscious growing up. This prohibited me from building new relationships with other kids my age. Dealing with these circumstances took away from developing essential childhood memories. My parents also played a role in my isolation, fearing that I would lose touch with my culture if I adapted to the way of life around me. As a child, this challenged me and stimulated my curiosity about living life in a new culture while holding on to my own.
As I grew older, I became increasingly aware of my differences. Rather than taking pride in my culture and embracing it, I was ashamed. In middle school, a teacher questioned me about my culture and religion, Hinduism, in front of the class. My insecurity in my culture caused me to be embarrassed when being recognized and approached. The distinction between my peers and I caused me discomfort. I tried everything to blend in with my peers and as a result, I lost touch with my true self. I started to wear the
The camp consisted of girls from all over the world, including Kenya and Brunei. At the age of 13, I traveled from North Carolina to India independently. Traveling alone gave me the opportunity to spend time with myself, and rely on myself. It gave me a sense of pride and contentment. I had experienced loneliness most of my life, but it was different when I was sitting alone in an airport for 12 hours at such a young age. The traveling experience itself helped me mature and become more