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Born in Lousiana
The first significant cultural influence in my life was my birthplace. Lafayette, Louisiana is a city in the deep south and shares many of cultural influences of other southern cities. Many of the people there have lived in Louisiana for generations and have a set way of viewing the world. From this warm, family-oriented culture, I grew to value friendliness, family and hospitality. Cajun people also love to have fun and celebrate with lots of food and drinks. -
My Parents' Divorce and Constant Transition
When I was two years old, my parents divorced, and soon after my mom moved with me four hours away from my dad. Every month I would visit my dad for a week. This image of a car represents the many hours I spent in a car going back and forth. I relate to the experiences of Third Culture Kids who struggle to understand their identity as it relates to home. I grew up in two strikingly different environments and learned to adapt to the expectations of each. -
Move to The Woodlands
After getting divorced and remarried, my mom moved us to The Woodlands, TX, an affluent planned community pictured here. While my family lived a little more modestly than our neighbors, many of my friends had pools in their backyards, got expensive private lessons, went on international family vacations, regularly ate at restaurants, and had all the toys they wanted. I was aware of the contrast between our life and some of my less wealthy family members in Louisiana. -
Started Homeschooling
In third grade, as this picture models, my mom started homeschooling my brother and I. Being immersed in a homeschool community until graduation influenced my worldview as my education in all subjects was shaped by parents' Christian beliefs and values. I also observed my friends' moms staying home with their kids and perceived this as the norm. I personally developed the belief that I could direct my own learning and that I did not need a lot of help to complete my studies. -
Strong Women
This is a picture of my grandmother, two of my aunts, and my step-mom. In my teenage years especially, my grandmother and aunt shared the narrative that we were a family of strong women. My great-grandmother had run a farm and raised over six kids. My grandmother shared with me that her mother had been the boss in her marriage and rarely cried. I grew up believing my voice as a woman mattered and that I could be a leader. Sadly, though, I also thought that showing emotion was a sign of weakness. -
Boundaries
I grew up in a family with a strong sense of boundaries in relationships. We did not discuss personal issues like depression, divorce, loss, or addiction openly, even when they affected those closest to us. When I went to college, it took me time to start opening up to friends there. I thought that opening up too much was shameful. On the positive side, my parents trusted me to make my own decisions and develop as my own unique person. They did not put pressure on me to visit or call. -
Texas A&M
In 2007, I went to Texas A&M University which proudly boasts of its many unique traditions. There is a culture of leadership and giving back to the community, with which I identified. I applied for leadership positions and joined volunteer organizations. There's a strong Christian presence which encouraged me to more deeply own my faith. Also, many graduates get married out of college, and this trend caused me to feel shame as years passed, and I did not get married until I was 29 years old. -
International Exposure
In college, I traveled and studied abroad in Europe, and I also volunteered with organizations that befriended international students on campus. My view of the world expanded, and I questioned American assumptions and values. I developed compassion for immigrants trying to adjust to a new language and culture in America. To some, they appeared "less than" or uneducated because of their poor English, but many of them had advanced degrees jobs as doctors and engineers in their home countries. -
Moving to Egypt
In 2015, I moved to Cairo. Egyptians have the phrase, inshallah which means "if God wills." This phrase references a higher power in control, but it also often reminds us that in this chaotic, crowded city with a looser sense of time, plans often change. I have become more flexible. Warm and hospitable, Egyptians love to offer help and express their affection. Growing up in a family that encouraged boundaries and independence, I have had to get used to accepting help and showing affection. -
Dating in Egypt
While in Egypt, I started dating and then married an Egyptian man. I realized that there were cultural expectations I had of dating, such as showing physical affection in public (as seen in this picture) and telling others about my relationship from the first date. My husband showed very minimal affection in public and also waited months to tell his parents and friends we were dating. Our relationship caused me to become more reserved as I sought to respect cultural norms here.
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