Sumit Kumer is a junior this year at PSU and he is originally from India. He is studying to earn a degree in computer science. After asking Sumit about his media use he said that his is about the same as any college student. When he came to the US he said that some apps got more attention than others he noted that, “Snapchat is not as big in India we mostly us WhatsApp.” However, he later said that the transition to American used apps was very easy and he uses them almost every day now.
My next question had to do with Sumit’s friendships in the US as well as in India. He said that in India he had very close friends and he said, “They are like my brothers.” He said he has many “Brothers” back home that he can tell anything to. He described how it was nice to have such close friends because you can’t always tell your family everything. He then went on to say that the distance does make his friendships a little harder. This is because his friends don’t use the same apps as he does now and the time difference makes it difficult for them to speak often. As for his friendships here, Sumit said that he primarily has friends of the same culture as him. He described this as easier because he doesn’t have to explain himself or his actions all the time because they understand. He said that for the past three years he was lucky enough to be put with an Indian roommate. He said that he would not be opposed to a roommate from a different culture however, again it just made a lot of things easier. He does branch out, saying that he makes friends with people on his floor and has had the opportunity through that to learn about other cultures. He then talked to me about how he and his Indian friends also celebrate holidays together which is another convinces of having the same cultural background. When I asked about him sharing his culture with others he explained to me that it is very situationally based. So, if he is around some of his American friends and does something that would be out of the ordinary he will take the time to explain why he did that. He said that a common example is when he drops a pen or a paper in class. In his culture they see everything as god so when he picks it up off the ground there is a ritual to go along with it. Also, in class he said it is odd for him to have a causal relationship with his teacher. He explained that in India he would have to show them signs of respect by either bowing to them or touching their feet. He said he is happy he doesn’t have to do that here.
My next question had to do with the learning curve he would face when taking classes in primarily English. He told me he was lucky enough to attend an English-speaking high school, so he has been learning in English for a while now. He said he was 13 when he began learning English and he believes that if you have the will power you can definitely learn anything. My next questions had to with stereotyping and portrayals of his culture. Sumit was happy to tell me that since he has been here he hasn’t felt any discrimination or stereotyping. He explained that is a major difference between India and the culture in The United States. In India they are quick to judge other cultures, see them as inferior, and will avoid people with different beliefs. He likes that here people not only respect others beliefs but are curious about them. He said it makes him feel as if people want to know more about his culture.
He then went on to say that he thinks that movie portrayals of his culture aren’t terribly off because India is a big part of the movie industry. He explained how movies are very popular in India and said it is very similar to here where everyone has their favorite actor or actress. He even shared a story of a favorited actor being imprisoned for illegal poaching and having riots of fans that got him released on bail.
My next couple questions had to do with relationships. I asked him first what he thought about dating and relationships in America compared to India. In response to my question he said, “They are very good here because women have equal rights”, he went on to explain that he really did like that fact that women have a say in their lives here. He said that in India girls are married at 18 and then not expected to do anything but clean, cook, look good, and take care of children. Even if they are educated which Sumit doesn’t understand, as he mentioned, “If they are educated I don’t see why they cannot work.” He then went on to say how women have no say in family decisions. He explained that it was hard to go back and have his mother not be able to decide anything because his father always does it for her. Something else his father will decide is who Sumit will marry. In Indian culture the parents pick the husband or wife, which Sumit says is okay because they will pick the right one for you. He said that sometimes girls refuse to marry who their parents pick and bring shame on their family. In some cases, so much shame that the father will kill his own daughter to save his families name. For men they usually just go along with whatever they are told. They will start getting married around 20, and by 25 if you are not married people will start teasing about how they might not be able to make it to your wedding because they will be so old. This is very different in American culture because most people don’t want to be married until after 25.
I then asked Sumit what made him want to come to America to study and he explained that a lot of people in his country decide to join the military because of the high honor of respect. He knew that wasn’t for him and he wanted something different. Luckily his father approved and supported his decision. Sumit explains that is was perfect for him, “I Love it here and I’m glad I came I wouldn’t change it for the world.” He does eventually want to return to India and work there. He feels a strong cultural tie to his home and would like to be near his family when he begins his adult life.
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