HanaHuaWa


HanaHuaWa explores dual identities and the tension between cultural heritage and present surroundings. Each curated article reflects the experience of balancing different worlds—whether it's being split between two cultures, places, or identities. 

From navigating immigrant life, racial or cultural differences, to appreciating the richness of both worlds, these stories emphasize the importance of community, identity, and belonging while embracing the complexities of living between two or more realities.

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My Two Duniyas

Issue 02 Article 04


My Two Duniyas
Rudra Patel
Jab maine pehli baar Michigan dekha [1], it was fall. The colors of the leaves were breathtaking—peela, lal, narangi [2]—something I'd never seen in India. The trees looked as if they were painted by an artist’s brush. Michigan is famous for its harsh winters, but during the fall, it feels like nature ka ek jashn chal raha hai [3]. I remember thinking, Yeh jagah itni sundar hai [4], so peaceful. It was a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Indian cities.

Moving to Michigan from India was like stepping into a completely new duniya [5]. I still remember the first time I landed at Detroit Metropolitan Airport; it was a strange mix of excitement and thoda sa dar [6]. For someone who had spent their entire life in a small town in India, yeh sab kuch bilkul naya tha [7]—different language, different culture, and of course, the weather. But as an immigrant, you learn to adapt, to create a balance between the duniya you left behind and the duniya you are trying to build.

[1] When I first saw Michigan
[2] yellow, red, orange
[3] a celebration is going on.
[4] this place is so beautiful[5] world
[6] a bit of fear
[7] this was all brand new
Ek naye desh mein basna [8] isn’t just about adjusting to the physical environment, it's also about finding your space in a society where log alag hain [9]. When I first moved here, I missed everything Indian—ghar ka khana [10], people speaking in Hindi and Marathi, the festivals. In India, family is everything, aur yahan zyada log apne aap mein independent hote hain [11]. Kabhi kabhi itna tanha feel hota hai [12] because extended families aren't around to support you like they would be back home. But this distance also teaches you to become stronger and more self-reliant.

Sometimes, though, it feels like you’re living in two worlds. When I’m with my American friends, I speak English, adjust to their customs, and enjoy American traditions like Thanksgiving. At the same time, within the local Indian community—Indian grocery stores, temples, and community centers—I feel like home is not that far away. Ganesh Chaturthi ki pooja ho ya Diwali ki dhamakedar [13], celebrating our shared Indian heritage gives you a little taste of what you left behind. But jab Indian doston ke saath hoon, toh Hindi ya Marathi bolna [14] feels natural, and we share stories of life back in India, even if that duniya seems a little distant now. Yeh dono cultures ko balance karna mushkil hai kabhi kabhi [15], but it’s also a gift. It’s like having do ghar, ek yahan aur ek wahan [16].

[8] Settling in a new country
[9] people are different
[10] homemade food
[11] and here more people are independent.
[12] Sometimes I feel so lonely
[13] Whether it is Ganesh Chaturthi Puja or Diwali's celebrations
[14] When I'm with Indian friends, I speak Hindi or Marathi
[15] It's hard to balance these two cultures sometimes
[16] two houses, one here and one here
Despite all these challenges, there is a certain beauty in being an immigrant. You get to see the world from different perspectives. Jab main apni Indian roots ke saath rehta hoon [17], I feel proud of my heritage—the values, the warmth, the traditions. But Michigan has also taught me the importance of individualism, freedom, and exploration. These are the things that I’ve learned here and have come to appreciate. And even though kabhi kabhi [18] it feels like I don't completely fit into either world, Michigan has given me a sense of belonging in its own way. Whether it's exploring the vast, pristine lakes, hiking in the forests, or simply enjoying a snowy Christmas, Michigan now feels like home—just as much as India does.

To be honest, I will always miss India—wahan ki khushboo, wahan ke log, wahan ki apni ek alag baat hai [19]. My journey, from a small town in India to the mitten-shaped state of Michigan, has taught me that home isn’t just a physical jagah—it’s a combination of experiences, yaadein [20], and the people you surround yourself with.

Aur yeh dono duniya ko apni life ka hissa bana ke [21], I’ve found my own sense of balance and belonging—ek kadam India mein, aur ek kadam Michigan mein [22].

[17] when I celebrate my Indian roots
[18] sometimes
[19] the fragrance of that place, the people of that place, everything is different
[20] memories
[21] And by making both these worlds a part of your life
[22] One step in India, and one step in Michigan.


Detroit Industry, North Wall
Rivera, D. (1932/1933). Detroit Industry, North Wall. Fresco.
American Lake Scene
Cole, T. (1844). American Lake Scene. 
Sakhi Persuades Radha to Meet Krishna, from a Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherd) of Jayadeva
Purkhu. (c. 1820–25). Sakhi Persuades Radha to Meet Krishna. Painting.
Swami Haridasa with Tansen and Akbar at Vrindavana
Unknown. (1700 AD - 1760 AD). Swami Haridasa with Tansen and Akbar at Vrindavana. Painting. Rajasthan, India.
The Gods Sing and Dance for Shiva and Parvati
[Creator Last Name, First Initial]. (c. 1780-1790). The Gods Sing and Dance for Shiva and Parvati. Painting. Himachal Pradesh, India.



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A Word from the Founder

Hello,
My name is Tina Cho, a Senior at Phillips Academy Andover with an academic interest in language and identity. As a Korean American student whose first language is Korean, I grappled with suppressing my accented English when I first arrived. However, after embracing my unique tongue, including the unintended mixing of Korean and English while speaking, I saw that my accent and mixed-use language embody the different parts of who I am as a person. I started this magazine to showcase the unique beauty of mixed-English language and the identities they represent, so that readers and potential contributors can do the same. I hope you enjoy each of the individual works and the stories they hold, as they express small, nuanced slices of our immensely rich world.

- Tina Cho, Andover ‘25