Same Same But Different

Whether you are moving to a new state, country, or even continent, there’s always something unique that you will learn about that place. This learning curve is commonly called culture shock. Something that may seem like an everyday thing to you could be totally alien to someone from a different part of the world. There are many changes from schooling, social culture, and the people you have around you.

Even though most of the content that is taught is the same, many schools can look entirely different. Senior Wiktoria Majdiuk was born and raised in Poland but is living in the United States as an exchange student through the Perfect organization for the year. In Poland her school’s whole structure was different. “Instead of having the same classes every day I had different classes every day for the whole week and next week, it repeats.” Not only did she have alternating classes but she didn’t get the electives we do in Waukee. Every student took all the same classes as other students, with the only difference being if it was an A.P. class or which language class you chose. For her, “school was just about learning,” and she didn’t get to do any engaging activities through the school.

Jennifer Brooks, a substitute who works in the district, spent the first 25 years of her life in Iowa but then moved from Hungary to Japan to Brazil, and finally to the United Arab Emirates. There she lived for about 24 years before moving back a few weeks ago. One thing that she has had to get used to since moving here is being surrounded by people with American, and specifically Midwestern, accents. When living in the UAE it was rarer to hear people speak in the same accent as her, “I have to resist the urge to turn to them and ask ‘Hey, do I know you?” She mentioned how in the UAE it is also very common to ask people where they are from because people are genuinely interested. However, in the US this is many times used by people who are being rude. She added how they even have a phrase for it, “same same, but different” which essentially means that even though other people may come from different places or look and sound different they’re all the same.

Sometimes moving away can feel lonely before you find your community. Sophomore Aura Srivastava was born in India, moved to New Jersey and Michigan, and has been in Waukee for three years now. She doesn’t miss being in India too much but, “I only miss it because I have a lot of family there.” Moving to a new place brings many challenges and opportunities. Every person has a different story but change leads to the growth that is essential in making them more resilient. 

Graphic by Ciarra Matlock using Canva