When most teenagers think about their senior year of high school, they imagine it in familiar surroundings, surrounded by lifelong friends. But for one girl, her senior year took a dramatic turn when she moved across countries to a new home. From the UK to the US, Ishani Malkagiri made the journey of almost 5000 miles to a brand new life.
Malkagiri’s transition has been marked by a series of notable cultural adjustments.
“The biggest difference I’ve noticed is the way people talk,” Malkagiri said. “In Britain, conversations are more formal, while here in America, people are much more informal.”
Malkagiri also mentioned how she imagined American high school to be before moving.
“I think one stereotype I had about American high school was that there would be different cliques like the mean girls and the smart girls, but it’s actually not like that at all,” Malkagiri said. “I really admire how seniors and sophomores, juniors and freshmen, they’re all friends because the classes are mixed. I think that’s super cool.”
Furthermore, Malkagiri has found a warm welcome in Dallas.
“Moving this far away from home is quite difficult,” Malkagiri said. “but the atmosphere at school is amazing, and the teachers have been incredible.”
While the friendliness of her new peers and the supportive school environment have helped her feel at ease, Malkagiri shared that she can’t help but miss the comfort of her life back in London.
“My friends, I miss my friends so much,” she said. “It’s so weird sometimes coming into school and not seeing my best friends. I miss going into town and just shopping and going around. I miss the English breakfast tea—you don’t really find that here.”
However, Malkagiri quickly found herself embraced by the friendly atmosphere of her new school.
“Everyone has been really welcoming; it’s been great,” she said, smiling. “Moving almost 5,000 miles away from home is quite difficult, but everyone here has been super nice, so I’m really grateful.”
As Malkagiri settles into her new life, her focus is on making the most of her senior year.
“This is my last year in full-time education, like, in high school. So I wanna focus on just making everything memorable and making really good memories,” she said. “I think going forward in the future, I can look back on this year and appreciate everything that happened.”
With plans to pursue a career in psychology and behavioral sciences, she is eager to explore her passions.
“I plan on doing a master’s and a PhD, hopefully, fingers crossed. I really want to go into clinical or forensic psychology,” Malkagiri said.
While her journey from London to Dallas may have been daunting, her plans for the future showcase her determination and resilience to work towards her dreams. It’s clear that this young Brit is ready to embrace whatever comes next with enthusiasm and grace.
