Page 9 - ADU Voice Volume 3 Issue 2
P. 9
FALL 2023 · voice 09
both groups of children and provides them to understand variances in cultures from
with a home environment that can be passed a very young age. This awareness served
on. It also creates a sense of comfort knowing as a tool in helping me integrate into life
that no matter where you are in the world, within the UAE. The ability to acknowledge
there will always be a group of individuals the differences between one’s ethnic cul-
you can associate with. Furthermore, being ture and that of their host country develops
aware of different cultures from a young an openness towards diversity and ethnic
age creates a sense of cultural competency inclusiveness in children with mixed back-
in both children. Early exposure to different grounds. Another similarity between these
ways of life is a valuable lesson for young children is linguistic ability and code-switch-
children that will aid them in adapting to ing. Often, these children speak their native
any diverse environment they encounter in language alongside of developing ethnic
the future. language proficiency to communicate with
their elders. My parents always expressed
On a personal level, being born into a minority the importance of speaking Urdu among our
group in my passport country prompted me family, especially with our elders.
