I’m not a second or third-generation individual.
I moved to the UK from India when I was six years old, which makes me a first-generation migrant. Still, I’ve often felt the same kind of in-betweenness that many second or third-generation people describe. Growing up in Leeds, I learned how to fit into British culture quickly. I picked up the accent, understood the slang, and adjusted to school life. But at home, everything was different. We spoke Hindi, celebrated Indian festivals, and followed traditions that my classmates had never even heard of.
Over time, I realised that my identity was not split but layered. I wasn’t choosing between being Indian or being British. I was learning how to carry both at once. That balance hasn’t always been easy. Sometimes I felt too Indian to be fully British, and other times I felt too British to be fully Indian. I struggled with questions about where I belong and who I am, especially when others tried to define it for me.
At university, I’ve found the space to think about these questions more deeply. I’ve met people from all kinds of backgrounds who are also trying to make sense of their identities. Through conversations, projects and community, I’ve started to see this experience as a strength rather than a confusion. Being in between two cultures has helped me become more open-minded, adaptable, and aware of the richness that comes from difference.
Poem by Elisha Gug
