The document discusses the experiences of being bicultural from the perspective of the author. As someone who is half Japanese and half Thai and was educated in an international school in Thailand, the author relates to the struggles of the character Kana in finding her identity between two cultures in the novel Orchard. The author feels like a foreigner in both Thailand and Japan due to physical appearance, behavior, language fluency, and other cultural influences. However, being bicultural also provides opportunities to adapt to different expectations and appreciate various cultures and societies.

1. Misa Yamada
English 12, Mrs. Hala
Bicultural Obstacles and Opportunities
In the novel Orchard, written by Holly Thompson, a young teenage girl named
Kana deals with various issues such as the struggle to identify herself because she is
bicultural. Within the novel, it is revealed that surrounding environments, such as
cultures and societies, control and influence the actions and personalities of
individuals. In which the bicultural struggles Kana experiences in finding herself are
the confusions between the two cultures and which set of cultural expectations she is
to follow and obey. I myself was born into a bicultural environment that allows me to
share an exclusive connection with Kana, as we are both bicultural by heritage.
Accordingly, the environments in which I have grown up in, have allowed me to
gradually identify myself as I learn to adapt, appreciate and recognize my
surroundings.
Being bicultural by heritage creates confrontations of complex situations, as each
culture and society has different “appropriate” expectations that act as guidelines. I
am half Japanese and half Thai and I have been at an international school in Thailand
since kindergarten. With parents of different nationalities, there are many
expectations, guidelines, and views that are diverse and sometimes contradicting that
causes confusions and conflicts. Therefore, I am able to understand the feelings and
struggles Kana is challenged with during her visit to Japan. Particular situations where
I am able to share a connection with Kana is when she feels and looks like an outcast
amongst her family and classmates. Although through my personal experience, I feel
like a foreigner in both Thailand and Japan, even though I have lived in Thailand my
entire life. I too, feel like a foreigner not only in Japan but in Thailand as well,

2. because of the way I look and the way I behave.
The Thai people assume that I am not Thai because my appearance is not of the
typical Thai female. Instead, I would more so fit into the typical Japanese look, with
short legs, broad shoulders and a longer upper body. Also, the way I portray myself
with my choice of clothing is not a typical Thai ‘style’. Since my wardrobe contains
mostly of apparel typically seen and worn by westerners, it does not fit into the
“appropriate” “Thai” style. In addition, because I have attended an international
school since kindergarten and speak mostly English, my Thai accent slightly sounds
foreign and I am not as fluent in Thai as I should be. Also, I have a friendly, outgoing
and overjoyed personality that may seem overly wild, as the way I act and behave is
as well influenced by the western society. Thus, the way I act and behave may not be
the “appropriate” characteristic that an authentic Thai would perform.
In Japan, I am also viewed as a foreigner because of the way I act and behave as
well as the way I speak. This is because, I have lived in Thailand and again I have
attended an international school my entire life. Therefore, I am not fluent in Japanese,
though I am able to somewhat comprehend and speak the Japanese language to a
certain extent. Also, I am carefree unlike most Japanese people who are usually strict
and uptight. And the way I act and behave is culturally influenced by the western
society, because the way I act is the opposite from the “appropriate” expectations.
Typically, Japanese females are imaged as quiet, shy and tactful, though having been
enclosed in an international school with many western influences, I am occasionally
outspoken in a modest way, though to most Japanese people, it may appear as
obnoxious.
By way of having parents of different nationalities and educated in an
international school with numerous western influences, it creates several obstacles as

3. well as opportunities. With many dissimilar expectations, a lot of the time I feel
obliged to obey each and every guideline according to each culture to somewhat
please my parents. Although it is difficult to obey all the different cultural and social
expectations, I have learned to find an in-between set of my own guidelines to follow.
I have also learned to adapt and appreciate the different cultural and social
expectations. The opportunity of being bicultural has also allowed me to adapt,
appreciate and recognize all the cultures and societies in the world that allows me to
become more understanding. As a result, being bicultural has shown me that the
surroundings in which enclose you affects the way you are and the way you behave.