Growing Up Between India, Ivory Coast, and the United States
I was born in Agra, India, but Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is where I grew up and the place I call home. For most of my childhood, moving between countries felt normal. I had family roots in India, a daily life in West Africa, and eventually a university experience in the United States. Only later did I realize how much those different places influenced the way I think.
Abidjan was where I went to school, spent time with friends, and developed most of my habits. It’s easy to introduce myself by saying I was born in India, but that alone doesn’t explain where I feel at home. When I think of the familiar places and routines of growing up, I think of Ivory Coast. Living there also meant that I saw a different side of Africa than the one people sometimes imagine from a distance. I learned that no country can be reduced to a few headlines or stereotypes.
India remained important too. Visiting relatives, speaking familiar languages, eating food I grew up with, and watching Bollywood movies helped me stay connected to my roots. Sometimes a film or a stand-up comedy clip reminds me of home more immediately than a long conversation about identity could. I don’t feel that I have to choose one country to explain myself. Different places have contributed different things to my life.
I now study Entrepreneurship and Finance at the University of Miami. Moving to the United States added another perspective. University life involves managing my own schedule, meeting people from different backgrounds, and making decisions without always having my family nearby. It has also made me more aware of the things I want to improve, especially my confidence in groups and my communication skills. I can be comfortable talking to someone one-on-one but much quieter in a large group. Being in a new environment has given me opportunities to work on that.
One benefit of living in different places is learning not to assume that everyone thinks or works the same way. Something that feels obvious in one culture may be approached differently in another. I find that interesting, especially because I hope to work in international business. Understanding another person’s perspective matters when you’re dealing with colleagues, suppliers, or customers. I don’t think moving countries automatically makes someone open-minded; you still have to pay attention, ask questions, and be willing to learn.
My international background has also shaped my interest in travel. I love opening a map, finding a place I’ve never heard of, and imagining what it would be like to go there. Sometimes I want to see famous landmarks, but often I’m more interested in the ordinary experience of being somewhere new: taking a train, walking through a neighborhood, or seeing how people spend their day. I enjoy the feeling that there’s always more to discover.
Living in different countries has also changed the way I think about belonging. I used to think there should be a simple answer to the question of where someone is from. Now I think that answer can have several parts. Birthplace, family background, childhood, language, and the place where you currently live can all matter. They don’t always point to the same country, and I don’t think they need to.
When people ask where I’m from, the shortest answer doesn’t tell the whole story. I was born in India, raised in Ivory Coast, and now study in Miami. All three are part of my story, but none of them alone defines me. What matters more is what I’ve learned from moving between them: to stay curious, to be willing to adapt, and to keep questioning my assumptions. I hope those habits continue to shape the person I become.