Living Life Between Two Worlds

With eyes full of dreams, hope and aspirations to conquer the world, my journey began the moment I decided to pursue my master’s degree in a foreign land. There was never any doubt about choosing my dream destination. While growing up I never imagined pursuing my higher studies elsewhere, as the United States of America (USA) stood out as the place with endless opportunities. 

I thought I knew what the USA would be like. My perceptions, shaped by movies, songs and news, painted the picture of a country I admired, especially as a place to start and build my career as a food technologist/scientist. However, all the anticipation falls short when you are finally standing in a long queue at the immigration, holding your passport and your dreams in your hand. 

In that moment, you are filled with uncertainty, questioning your decision to leave your comfort zone and walk this path alone, far from your loved ones, with no way of knowing what the days ahead will bring. Finding my way through the USA has been less about the geography but more about my own identity, facing cultural shocks and being surprised by the unexpected kindness. 

To begin with, one of the initial surprises I encountered was the culture of greeting everyone, whether friends or some strangers, which felt unnecessary and quite awkward back home in Nepal. A polite and simple “Hello” here is a part of their daily lifestyle. Although it took a little while for me to accept and adapt, I somehow nowadays have found a balance to learn and embrace these small gestures that helped me to connect and network with new people, especially being an introvert.

What struck me the most is that the basic facilities and services that are taken for granted in Nepal are, however, the basic needs and rights of the citizens. Public restrooms are very clean and easily accessible even by differently abled people, the traffic lights and pedestrians are highly respected, emergency services such as police services, ambulances and firefighters, whose arrival was never on time in Nepal but here are very efficient and ever-present 24/7. Sometimes, the continuous sound of sirens is annoying, but then it also hits me hard thinking how these services are rare but very important for citizens' well-being.

Another aspect of America that deeply impressed me is the respect they have for all kinds of work. There is no shame or stigma attached to any job, regardless of its nature. For instance, at my workplace, I have seen people holding high positions take on and help in basic tasks like sweeping and mopping, without any hesitation or embarrassment. But back home there would be hot gossip since the dignity of labour is apparently too pitiful and embarrassing. How could I not mention the discipline and respect for the punctuality of time that people have here. If a meeting, suppose, is scheduled for 11.00am, most of the people show up at 10.55am so that it starts at 11:00am sharp. This small and collective sense of responsibility to follow the law made me realise that for a country to reach this level of development, there should be mutual respect between citizens and their representatives, as well as shared belief in the system. 

Another reality that shook me was the lifestyle of the elderly population here. Back in my home country, it is very common to retire around the age of 60 and spend their later life surrounded by their families and close ones. Grandparents play a crucial role in the Nepali household, sharing their wisdom and life experiences with their grandchildren, and enjoy daily deep and strong bonds with loved ones. Even I was very fortunate to have grown up in the shades and nurturing presence of my grandparents, where their endless stories, experiences and lessons about their time helped shape me into the person I am today. 

Conversely, grandparents here in their seventies and eighties are working daily not only to support themselves financially but also to escape the loneliness and restless thoughts hovering in their minds. I am truly aware that even they love their families deeply as much as we do, but the culture here is a little the opposite. Here spending the time is totally reserved for special occasions or holidays rather than being a part of daily life. The physical and emotional distance between generations is something I never anticipated, and it is the aspect of American life that I find difficult to accept. 

Of course, how could I not mention the American education system. What truly distinguishes the American education system is the way it rewards individual curiosity and initiative. If you are eager and willing to learn and know deep, the weight of resources, support and encouragement helps you to reach your potential to the fullest. Choosing to pursue my master's in food science, I feel, is the most transformative decision I have ever made. This decision guided me to know myself, my potential and the direction I want to take in my professional and personal life.

 I have had an opportunity to work with one of the professors here in my university in his research work, where I am experiencing the system firsthand. I was a little surprised by the humility, approachability and genuine interest of the professors to teach even the simple concepts in a very understandable way. Though the setup and the equipment are little different from what we have back in my home, I am finding my way to learn, adapt and make the most of every opportunity that comes my way. 

Having said that, during my conversations with people here, I have noticed and experienced that the opinion about Nepal is both positive and negative. For instance, in one of the discussions, a woman shared her experiences from her visit to Nepal. She told me about the beef business being operated in the valley, given that the cows are worshipped in Nepal as a form of the goddess Laxmi. She also mentioned her commute to the valley was quite challenging due to being charged high fares. Hearing these stories was disheartening, as we Nepali people are very hospitable and welcome our guests with open arms and warm hearts. Although she had good experiences too, I felt like goodwill and kindness were overshadowed by the negative incidents.

My journey through America until now has taught me that true progress is not just measured by infrastructure or technology. It is reflected in the values people uphold, the respect they show one another, and the trust they place in their society. It is also about representing yourself, your culture, and your roots, never forgetting where you come from, but instead carrying those traditions with you and sharing them with others. These are the lessons I hope to carry with me, wherever I go next.

(The author is pursuing a master's degree in Food Science at University Of Wisconsin-Stout USA.)