At school, I was the “involved” kid. You know, the one who stayed after class to ask questions, who joined five different clubs, and tutored in the TLC. Throughout the school day, I would edit articles, lead meetings, and give presentations, sometimes all in one day. I smiled a lot, raised my hand a lot, and kept my planner full of things I needed to accomplish before the next school day.
But at home? Everything flipped. I went from leading group discussions to helping my mom prepare a traditional Indian dinner. I traded my backpack and Converse for prayer mats and slippers. One second, I’m writing columns about politics, and the next, I’m explaining to my classmates why I go to pray during lunchtime.
Balancing these two worlds meant learning how to politely correct people numerous times when they butchered pronunciation of my name, and how to fast during finals week without falling asleep mid-exam. It meant memorizing verses of the Quran and the vocabulary for my Spanish quiz the next morning.
It wasn’t always smooth, but through all the transitions, I found my rhythm. I realized I didn’t have to shrink one world to make room for the other. I could lead a fishbowl discussion in AP Biology, and then go home and lead Quran study sessions with my family. I could be both: the girl who writes for the school newspaper and the girl who writes invitations in Arabic for Eid gatherings.
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that being “in between” isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength. Living in two worlds taught me how to connect with people who are different from me, how to explain without apologizing, and how to speak multiple languages, not just literally, but also emotionally. It made me strive to be more adaptable, observant, and empathetic.
It also taught me that you don’t have to pick one version of yourself to make others comfortable. YOU don’t have to change anything about yourself for anyone else. The real magic happens when you stop code-switching and start just being. So if you’re someone who holds multiple cultures, communities, or even friend groups, lean into it. That’s where your story lives.
So to all those who are living two different lives and are scrambling to manage it all, we’re doing just fine — and maybe even a little better than that.
