Living in a Multicultural City III

Insights from New York City

We recently featured the most multicultural cities in the world on our Social Media channels. You might wonder how it feels to live in a multicultural environment where multiple languages are spoken, and different customs and traditions are commonplace. We interviewed Pam Hendricks Fauquenot, Assistant Manager and language trainer at inlingua New York City and asked her, how the multicultural environment has shaped her way of thinking and what she values most about living in a diverse space.

1. What do you like most about living in New York City?

”I honestly feel that there is no place in the world like NYC. It has a heartbeat and a pulse of its own, an unmistakable energy rising from the people and their passions. Granted, all that energy can be overstimulating at times and city life is not for everyone, but it is overall a city that inspires you. You have the freedom to be who you are which, in turn, teaches you to be more tolerant of others. Are New Yorkers famous for being impatient, yes! But this stems from the general rejection of idleness….  gotta keep moving forward! Life is happening all around you. In NY you can truly feel like anything is possible. You can find yourself, lose yourself, reinvent yourself.”

2. Can you feel that you live in a multicultural city? How does that manifest itself in everyday life?

”NYC is home to a myriad of ethnicities and prides itself in its cultural diversity. On any given day you can hear several different foreign languages spoken. Walk down any street and you will pass by restaurants offering all kinds of world cuisine. Throughout the year there are a celebrations, festivals and parades with music, food, costumes, and other traditions. While Chinatown and Little Italy are well known in the tourist guides, communities pop up in all parts of the city like Korea town or Little Brazil. Jackson Heights, Queens is known to be the most culturally diverse neighborhood in the United States.  So yes, multiculturalism is woven into the very fabric of NYC. Although we may not visit her often, all New Yorkers are keenly aware that Lady Liberty remains an important symbol at the entrance to our harbor.”

3. Has multiculturalism shaped your way of thinking? If yes, how?

”I grew up in NYC, born and raised in Brooklyn till I was 12, then a move to the suburbs of Long Island. Growing up in the city I was accustomed to a multiracial and multiethnic community. In primary school we would quite often have newly arrived students who did not speak English and we were taught to welcome and encourage them. The move to Long Island was different and I found myself in a predominantly white, all American environment. This gave me my first glimpse of intolerance and prejudgement. By the same token, I could see how enriching my early childhood experience had been. I began to understand the need for openness and the benefit of shared experiences. So yes, I moved back to Manhattan at the age of 21.I love to travel and discover new people, new places, new ways of life.  I thrive in a multicultural environment where people help each other, learn from each other and find joy in our similarities as well as our differences.”

4. Have you personally faced any downsides of multiculturalism?

”I wouldn’t say it is a downside, but more of a phenomenon. People want to surround themselves with people like themselves. This is why so many communities arise in various parts of the city. Not only are there predominantly Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Italian neighborhoods, but we have Little Guyana, Little India, Little Odessa and so on. It is actually a lot of fun this total immersion way of experiencing a culture. In NYC you can celebrate who you are and where you come from yet still call NYC your home. What’s important is that you give that same respect to others. Any downside would stem from that lack of respect and discrimination unfortunately does happen.  Many of these ethic communities emerge in the outer boroughs of NY where more working-class families live. They are not generally found among the glitzy, Manhattan skyscrapers. They are, however, the very soul of NYC.  Manhattan is where it all comes together, the different cultures and economic levels all blending together in the symphony of everyday life.”

5. What are the positive aspects about living in a multicultural environment?

”We live in the age of globalization. Opportunities have no borders. Cities are home to countless international companies. So, living in a multicultural city, you evidently increase your chances of finding a job to match your skill set. Companies in turn, benefit from a diverse staff who can always bring new ideas and points of view to the table. With the exchange of ideas and shared experiences, friendships are formed, borders are crossed, and we gain a better sense of our world. Having a working and/or living experience in a foreign country, acquiring foreign language skills, thinking like a global citizen….these are great assets in today’s world. We can achieve so much when we connect and communicate.”

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