Nick Leonard
Nick is a current freshman at Emory University. I met him on an outdoors pre-orientation trip before arriving on campus. He is of Dominican heritage; his mother's side of the family lived in the Dominican Republic. Before coming to Emory, Nick lived in the metro Atlanta area.
Nick says that the culture in Atlanta is very different to that of his Hispanic culture. He experiences a bit of it with his Mom and his Abuela - grandmother - but it's not the same. When asked if his heritage played a big part in his life, he said that it is not at all. He does, however, work on get more in touch with his Dominican side. He claims to have been practicing his Spanish so that he can communicate with his family in their native language, he has been asking for more Dominican food, and has even enjoyed listening to Spanish music, which he is starting to develop a taste for.
Being that he is not very immersed in his Hispanic culture, he doesn't celebrate very many traditions. On a regular basis he plays Spanish music and signs and dances with his family for fun, which has become his own tradition. He also says that birthdays are a huge deal in his family; it is a time when the entire family can get together and enjoy each other's company and sing and dance.
When asked if his surroundings play a role in his culture, he quickly answered yes. He firmly believes that his surroundings influence his practices and traditions a lot, and he has been more American than Hispanic because of his surroundings. Atlanta doesn't exactly have an overwhelming Hispanic population, so he finds it difficult to celebrate his culture. He complains that when his grandmother doesn't cook, it is extremely hard to find quality Hispanic food. For me coming to school in Atlanta, I now understand his struggle.
Nick says that the culture in Atlanta is very different to that of his Hispanic culture. He experiences a bit of it with his Mom and his Abuela - grandmother - but it's not the same. When asked if his heritage played a big part in his life, he said that it is not at all. He does, however, work on get more in touch with his Dominican side. He claims to have been practicing his Spanish so that he can communicate with his family in their native language, he has been asking for more Dominican food, and has even enjoyed listening to Spanish music, which he is starting to develop a taste for.
Being that he is not very immersed in his Hispanic culture, he doesn't celebrate very many traditions. On a regular basis he plays Spanish music and signs and dances with his family for fun, which has become his own tradition. He also says that birthdays are a huge deal in his family; it is a time when the entire family can get together and enjoy each other's company and sing and dance.
When asked if his surroundings play a role in his culture, he quickly answered yes. He firmly believes that his surroundings influence his practices and traditions a lot, and he has been more American than Hispanic because of his surroundings. Atlanta doesn't exactly have an overwhelming Hispanic population, so he finds it difficult to celebrate his culture. He complains that when his grandmother doesn't cook, it is extremely hard to find quality Hispanic food. For me coming to school in Atlanta, I now understand his struggle.