Arya Thapa MALD ‘23
Fletcher student Arya Thapa, who is pursuing a MALD degree with a focus on International Security, and International Organizations & Governance, reflects on the transformative power of sharing her heritage as a first generation Nepali-American.
A cultural potluck with my fellow Fletcher friends recently inspired pride in my heritage. I was born in Kathmandu, Nepal – a landlocked country nestled in the heart of the Himalayas.
We hail from an unassuming mountainous country, proudly identifying Mount Everest and the birthplace of Gautama Buddha as our national treasures. Moving to Medford, MA as a child, I was awestruck by the various languages and cultures spoken in the local bakeries and small businesses of Main Street, Medford. I was six and I quickly became fast friends with an elderly Chinese couple who ran a toy cart in the Meadow Glen mall. Neither party spoke the other’s language and our age was vastly different (the couple, in their seventies and I was six) – and yet we developed a strong bond, eventually even sharing meals from our respective cultures. Over time, exchange of meals became exchanges of tradition and deep connection.
As a first generation Nepali-American, I am always astounded to see Nepali culture proliferate in the fabric of our society in America – particularly Nepali cuisine and traditions. Nepalese diaspora are entrepreneurs, serve in public roles, are healthcare workers, engineers, mentors, and more. Food has been an avenue through which I developed meaningful common ground and lasting relationships with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Most recently, I gathered with my Fletcher friends making my mother’s homemade momo recipes. As I explained the process of wrapping each momo, detailing the oral history behind the momos, and the methods of creating the fillings, it struck me— the transformative power of sharing a piece of my heritage. This was more than food, it was about sharing values, customs and traditions. It was about getting in touch with my own rich Asian heritage and the culture that has shaped me to be who I am today. Overarchingly, it serves as a mediator – blurring the lines of differences and creating a space for the culture to flourish and be accepted.