Catalonian-Spanish | Pakistani
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I identify as mixed-White and Asian. My Mom is from Barcelona (Catalunya, Spain) and my Dad is from Lahore (Pakistan). I identify as Spanish, not only because I was born there but because of how I was raised. I think it was a bit difficult for my Dad to have two daughters in a very open-minded society like we have in Spain, especially when you compare it to Pakistan. My Mom had to help us in our ‘fights’ with my Dad, explaining to him how here things are different than there. My sister and I struggled a little bit with freedom, but we always accepted his asks and he got more reasonable as we got older. We were good girls and always behaved well. I was raised eating Catalan food at home, but my Dad always brought me some Pakistani dishes from his restaurant. I do enjoy a lot of exotic food. The more different the better. I do like trying different cuisines, while some other people don’t. I think it is a good way of getting to know other cultures. I like it when people are curious about my ethnicity. When they ask me how my parents met, if I speak the language, how was it living in a house with two different cultures. It shows interest and I feel appreciated. I don’t think being mixed-race has affected me in my work place in any way. I am aware I would probably not be here if I had been raised in Pakistan instead of in Spain. But I don’t think being mixed-race has ever had any impact in me finding a job or how I am treated at my workplace. It might be because of the nature of my work, with science being a very diverse field where international collaborations are encouraged. However, I might see how in other jobs it may have an effect! If I were to be born again I would not change a thing! I am very happy with who I am and how I turned out. I think my parents did a very good job with my sister and I, and raised us to be very open minded, tolerant and curious. Said that, I wouldn’t have minded getting my mom’s blue eyes! I think I would probably go for that if I was given the option.
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