Growing up in Newport Beach, California, diversity wasn’t always celebrated. To better understand what I mean, picture the MTV show Laguna Beach. That was actually the life I led. My dad is Mexican and my mom is white. Because I lived in an affluent white community, I assimilated into their culture. Mexicans in America are typically seen as low-wage workers and often lumped into the category of illegal immigrants, regardless of whether or not that is true. However, I think I put it more on myself to feel like an outsider than anyone else did. Whenever I would bring up the idea of not feeling completely “white” and not blending in, my friends thought I was crazy. I always felt like the pale, blue eyed, blonde girl was celebrated, while I was not.
When I arrived in Seattle for school, I thought things would be different. Seattle is extremely diverse compared to my Newport Beach bubble and I was ready for a change. However, in Seattle, while there are a plethora of different cultural groups, it seems that everyone generally sticks to their own group. Once again, I joined the white students and felt like I stuck out just a bit.
In my third year of college, I decided to study abroad in London. I knew that London was a largely Caucasian society and fairly separated into cultural groups. But, on the other hand, I loved London so much that I hoped it wouldn’t bother me. However, London surprised me.
*I walk into the bar and see British men everywhere, unsure of how to start conversation*
*I decide that accidentally bumping into one is the best plan*
Me: Oh my god I’m so sooooooorrrrry
*I intentionally dragged out sorry to display my American accent*
Him: That’s all right. Wait are you American?!
*I giggle, blushing, and excited that my plan has worked*
Me: Yeah I am!
Him: Oh my god what are you doing in England? Where are you from?
Me: I’m from LA.
Him: Why would you leave LA to come to cold and rainy England?!
*Here I am laughing again because Brits always seem to hate on England even though it’s amazing*
Me: I love England and the weather here!
Him: You are crazy!
Me: I am not! … So before I came over to you did you think I was British? Is that why you were so surprised that I was American?
Him: You definitely dress the part, but you’re so tanned! Everyone in London would love to be tanned like you. Are you Brazilian?
*Lol Brazilian what? I’m glad I look racially ambiguous to this guy*
Me: Ah no I’m actually half Mexican and half um … white?
Him: No way! That’s sick and kind of exotic! You’re beautiful.
*wait what …*
I couldn’t believe my ears. In America, people often were unsure of my ethnicity and tried their best to guess, usually beginning with half African American and concluding with Mexican. However, it was never celebrated. In the moment that the British guy told me being Mexican was exotic, I noticed something. Being Mexican doesn’t hold that negative stigma in the UK because they are so far removed from America and its immigration issues. Without that stigma, I received compliments and acceptance that I felt I had never received previously.
London gave me a confidence that I had never experienced before. No one had a preconceived notion about me based on my ethnicity and things were completely different. It’s crazy that prejudice can become so deeply ingrained into a society that it affects absolutely everything. What was even crazier was the extra boost of confidence that living a judgment-free life gave me.
This new outlook on life, where I did not perceive that I was pre-judged for who I appeared to be, opened up so many doors. I met a lot of people and formed relationships that could only be formed in this judgment-free world into which I had dropped myself.
When you study abroad, they warn you about a lot of things. They warn you that you will get culture shock. They warn you that you may not understand the language. They warn you to order your prescriptions before you go. They warn you that your phones won’t work. They warn you that you won’t have Internet access. They warn you that things will be expensive. And finally, they warn you that locals may to try to steal from you. But, they don’t warn you about the good things that will result. They don’t warn you that other countries don’t hold the same prejudices that America does. However, I’m glad I was able to experience going abroad without warnings. I enjoyed every minute of London and am so thankful I have come home with confidence and memories that will last forever.
Maya graduated UW with a BA in Communications. She studied abroad in London twice and loved it so much she’s moving there this September.
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