Numrah Shaikh

Question: Terps are diverse. They bring intellectual, social and cultural differences to our
community. Describe the different parts of you which will contribute to our diverse campus
community.
When your mindset is different from the people that you live with, life gets complicated
and overwhelming. My parents were raised in Pakistan. There is no doubt that the culture and
traditions there are different from here. I was raised right in Rockville, Maryland. At home I am
brought up with my heritage culture, being outside of home has made me adapt to the American
culture. Unfortunately, this creates countless disagreements between my family and me.
I believe the primary reason for our differences is the lack of feminism in Pakistan. I have
always been expected to follow the expectations of my father. When I traveled to my country
earlier this year, I observed differences in lifestyles and culture. All the girls under the age of
twenty didnt seem to do anything other than go to school, come straight home, and spend the
rest of the time strictly with family. Girls in Pakistan, when my parents were high schoolers (and
now) had little to no freedom and were always treated different. It is looked at as disobedient if
girls go out with their friends. If a female goes in public without being covered head to toe in
loose clothing, they will be shamed. Pakistani girls do not have the opportunity to be
independent. Nor are they allowed to strive for more than what is expected of them.
One of my role models is Benazir Bhutto- the first female prime minister of Pakistan. She
stood up for womens rights and she took a stand against extremist forces. And what happened?
She was shot and killed. I met this astonishing woman days before she died and she influenced
me to be persistent in what I want to do. I also am inspired by a girl named Malala Yousafzai.
She stood up to terrorists who would not let her have an education and she was shot because of
it. Instead of becoming silent, she started a campaign for girls rights in Pakistan.
My parents have been rigid with me as I grew up because they want to make sure I get
the better education they didnt get. They dont consider that going out with friends, dressing up,
or being adventurous will get me there. I understand their mindset, but I have a complete
different one. I look up to Bhutto and Yousafzai because I want to be someone who is driven and
determined. I want to live up to my fathers expectations, but then find opportunities to become
more of my own person.
When my two cultures clash it causes strife, but I can manage the difference. I am more
involved in my culture than most of my peers are. This difference allowed me to grow and make
me who I am. I want to express my culture and open mind more. I want to make my family
proud, I want to over achieve, and I want to explore more. I believe that these qualities will be
demonstrated if I become a Terp.