2023/Madi -

Change. Perspective. Attitude. These three words are key pieces of the puzzle that have created who I am. Overcoming and learning to embrace the obstacles rather than let them consume me has helped me grow immensely.

Change. Growing up I consistently experienced this concept on a grander scale than most. Ever since I was born, nothing has been consistent in my life except for my family. At birth, I was adopted into the family I have now. Being adopted is the reason I have been able to adapt and take in appreciation to places all over the world with my caring family. I sincerely thank my birth mom for making the choice she did. It has given me a family who provided me a unique life in the military.

Perspective. Moving around did not bother me until I was 10. I remember how much easier moving was when I was younger. I didn't contemplate the feeling of change. However, the move to Europe was different. Considering I would be across the ocean, away from loved ones, and the normality I was accustomed to, was terrifying. In my early years, I was ignorant of how I viewed change. I remember being so overwhelmed with change and how I could never “catch a break”. I could only think of the negatives of what this change could be. Moving to Spain was the first cultural shock I had. The change of the language, culture, etiquette, and locals is where I hit a peak of my life over a duration of time. One core memory I have from Spain is a Spanish tradition of Feria (a carnival). Feria would be from April-October (which varies in which location you are in). I was able to experience wearing and seeing all the different flamenco dresses, dancing, music, rides, horseback riding, and overall celebrate and embrace people and their traditions. I was able to perceive a more fulfilled world, and explore out of my bubble I was in when I lived in the United States.

Attitude. I learned how to communicate with locals from taking a Spanish class, to then making Spanish friends who boosted my confidence in my Spanish speaking skills. I grew appreciation for the interactions I had with locals there the most. The Spanish welcomed with a warm greeting,1 kiss on each cheek, I grew a fascination with the cultural and physical differences we shared. Only on rare occasions did I have uncomfortable interactions. I came across times where snarky comments in Spanish would be made. Most likely because they thought my family and I would be too ignorant to understand. My parents would then start a conversation in Spanish. You would think the satisfying thing is to see the reactions on locals' faces, embarrassed and shocked that these Americans actually understood them. Yet, the satisfaction in it for me was that I did not take this opportunity of living in Spain for granted. I appreciated the language and put effort into learning it. The majority of the positive interactions have outweighed the negative. That is something I will carry with me through the unfamiliarity in my life. I found who I was at a very young age with important traits. I developed extroversion, openness, compassion, and humility.

I then moved to California and thought California would be where I would graduate. That was the plan until my dad got a job offer in Japan. No hesitation, I wanted him to take it. I have seen myself develop beneficial characteristics through cultural experiences and knew this could benefit me. This move was thrilling. I was excited to experience a new continent, new culture, people, and food. Then the news of moving to Japan came and I was even more ready to take on this change with a fresh attitude. Here in Okinawa, Japan, I now have the privilege to learn and observe food etiquette here. From using chopsticks, to sitting on a cushion on tatami floor, I have learned so much. I have interacted with locals and seen how polite they are. Bowing (known as ojigi) is how Japanese people express respect when they greet you. Whether I am walking, or checking out in a grocery store it was an interaction out of respect, and something I have engaged in. I have traveled to Kyoto, Japan and visited temples and shrines. Kinkaku-ji is a temple I enjoyed the most. The top two floors were built with gold leaves and brown architecture in the middle of a pond, it was unreal. I learned about their ways of worship, meditation, and prayer. I am excited to learn more about Japan during the couple of months I have left here before I graduate and move back to the states. I am taking everything day by day. This is a new leaf for me and I have enjoyed the Japanese culture.

Moving to Spain and Japan has taught me cultural competence and flexibility. Starting my life over in different locations with different people is how I became skillful in appreciating the opportunity to meet new people, and what I offer as a person. I plan to proceed to meet many more people and go to many more places in my life. Being a military child has made all of this possible, and dealing with all the changes has had a positive impact on my perspective and attitude.