I was not a FOB (fresh of the boat, usually labled towards Indian graduate students), nor an ABCD (American born confused Desi). I was right in the middle due to my age. I started ninth grade in Houston, TX and it was rough for two years. I didn´t fit in with the ABCDs because they thought I was too indian and I was too nervous or anxious to mix with the Americans.

My first 2 years was very tough due to my indian accent, the clothes I wore and mainly culturally. All the American born indian kids hung out together in a social clique while I was considered an outsider. I didn´t know what the Brady Bunch was etc. I was too young to make friends with college kids in graduate school.

Overtime I made friends just like me who was moved to the US in their teens as well. But, all this took time. I felt like I didn´t fit in at all. With time, I made other indian friends just like me who had moved here and were going through the same emotions I was. Then we formed our own group where we discussed how tough it is to assimilate and adjust to this new land, we talked about indian movies and stars etc.

I have lived in this country for 14 years now and consider myself to be a very successful woman in many respects. Yet, my struggles have the same value as an ABCD or a FOB.

So, please be careful not to judge others since everyone has their own struggles in life; wheather you are born in this country or not. Please understand that assimilation in any country takes time and patience.