Sriya Ramachandar - National Board Spotlight

Where have you traveled to?

While I was in middle school, my family decided to move to India for a few years.

How did you interact with the culture?

I enjoyed learning more and being more exposed to and involved with my culture

Were there any fears/apprehensions you had to face while on your journey?

As with any moving or new student experience, adapting to my new situation and feeling a sense of belonging were my biggest challenges. I was in a different area, exposed to different mindsets, different systems of education, cultures, perspectives, languages, and people. Understanding and adapting to all of those aspects of a community definitely made me a little nervous.

What did you take away or bring back with you, either physical, mental, or spiritual

from your journey?

I didn't have much knowledge, appreciation, or pride in my own culture until I had lived in India. I strongly believe I would have turned out a very different person had I not moved throughout my life and been exposed to so many different experiences. I gained a passion for who I was and where I came from, appreciation for what I had in life, and a connection to family members I otherwise would have never gotten close to.

Is there anything else about your experience you'd like to share?

Learning new languages is always something really beneficial and cool to do, and I think the best way to really get comfortable in a new language is to either live in the place it originates from or expose yourself to its pop culture (tv shows, music, movies)