Rakshinda Akter: A "Little" Replies
I just recently turned 16. I immigrated from Bangladesh when I was just three years old and I had been having a rough year. The best part was that choosing my big sister was like ordering a pizza: I could have a say in what kind of big sister I would be matched with. For instance, I didn't want my big sibling to be girly-girly. Eileene turned out to be perfect because she was an older version of what I wanted to be: a sophisticated person who was still a child at heart. I'm like Eileene; My parents expected me to become a doctor AND a millionaire. It has been a long period of adjustment for me and my parents. We have faced many challenges in trying to balance their expectations of me against my desire for independence to make my own decisions. I want to be open to other cultural influences. I have greater opportunities to succeed than my parents did, but I'm also expected to hold on my traditional values and customs which can clash at times. Eileene is an example of someone who has overcome the same struggles that I'm experiencing. She's an example of how I can maintain a connection with my heritage, while at the same time maintaining a sense of independence. One great experience was when Eileene took me to a Surrealism exhibit. I was astonished at how, at times, certain works of art were so frightening and so beautiful at the same time. Eileene took me to my first Broadway musical: Les Miserables. Unlike Eileene, I didn't cry at the end, but I did feel for the characters and I was excited to be a part of Broadway history by going. Eileene also exposed me to a cappella music, which I practically listen to every day now. I don't know what the organization's expectations were of this match, but from my perspective I call it a success. I hope this friendship will last a lifetime, which is the absolute truth. This organization has done a lot for me and it's influenced me to become a Big Sister in the future.