For my final project, I will be sharing about my experiences as a Korean-American in the USA.
I think that as someone with two cultural identities, it often feels that I don't belong in either one fully. When I am with Koreans who immigrated recently/ identify as Korean fully, I feel out of place because I do not know the language and culture fully. However, when I am with Americans, I also feel out of place at times when we differ in our norms and cultural traditions.
I think that my realization of how difficult it was being Korean-American came from being abroad and having discussions with people from around the world. While I was an American to non-Americans, I was a Korean-American to those who came from the USA. It felt like I was not fully welcome by either group, and I was in the middle trying to find a sense of identity.
It is a sad feeling to feel that I am not allowed to be fully Korean or American by the people of the society who identify fully as one or the other. I think that it makes me feel that I have to prove myself at times to both groups that I am Korean or that I am American.
Therefore, in my project, I will be discussing this in depth. My Korean presentation will have the following elements:
1. moments that made me feel like I was not one or the other
2. some examples of where Korean and American beliefs contrast, and the struggle of picking which one to follow
3. my continuing realization that culture is ever-growing and that it is possible that peace may never be found- however, I will be sharing the strategies I use to try to overcome the struggles of a bicultural identity
4. My appreciation and gratitude for being someone who has had the opportunity to grow up culturally enriched and have the chance to understand culture in an in-depth way
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