The first question I’m asked when someone meets my mother for the first time: Why do you not have an Australian accent too? Because I was born and raised in Atlanta, obviously. However, my mom spent most of her life in Australia, having been born in Tokyo and raised in Indonesia as well, all for my grandfather’s work. She moved every few years, sometimes to new places, or sometimes back to places she has been before, and her side of the family still travels often to this day. However, Australia was where she spent the most years of her childhood. This is in very deep contrast with my father, who lived in Alabama his whole life. Having such a diverse family has truly impacted me as a person. Not only am I constantly experiencing new events and cultures through travel with my mom’s side, but I am also receiving southern hospitality and familial togetherness with my dad’s side. On top of all of this, I have attended large public schools my whole life. There has always been such diversity in my life from a young age, and I do not think that I would be the person I am today without it.