what does it mean to belong to two worlds?

When I was in high school, I struggled to truly write about who I was and how I saw myself in the world. I figured this week, it would be fun to share my college essay with y'all. Enjoy <3

Chiaki. 

One moment, I stand in the doorway of my great aunt’s house in Japan, the scent of cherry blossoms drifting through the air. My fingertips trace the delicate texture of the rice paper walls as I glance down at the sidewalk below, where an army of ants marches in formation. The tatami mat beneath my feet is stiff and cool, numbing my toes. Everything here is orderly, intentional. In Japan, honor is everything. Purpose is a way of life. Each person, like the ants, contributes to the collective whole, working with precision and quiet determination. It is an unspoken promise: to persevere, to move forward, to bring dignity to one’s people and ancestors.

We are Japanese. I am Japanese.

Santiago.

Then, in another moment, I am bathed in the warm glow of Christmas lights, mesmerized by an ornament on the tree. The gold glitter catches the twinkling reflections, and the angels inside seem to dance with joy. The room around me pulses with life—voices overlapping, laughter spilling out freely, hands grabbing for yet another plate of food. There is no such thing as an inside voice in this house. My family moves in a whirlwind of emotion, pulling each other into tight embraces, arguing loudly, then laughing even louder. Most would call it chaos, but to me, it is home. The noise, the affection, the boundless energy—it is what love looks like in this world.

We are Puerto Rican. I am Puerto Rican.

I used to think these two identities were opposites. One values quiet discipline, the other thrives in expressive warmth. One teaches me to be strong and independent, the other reminds me that leaning on loved ones is just as powerful. At times, I crave solitude; at others, I long for connection. But as I’ve grown, I’ve realized these traits are not contradictions—they are my balance. They are my rhythm, the push and pull that guide me through life.

Being both Japanese and Puerto Rican is not about choosing one over the other. It is about embracing the fullness of my existence, the richness of two cultures that have shaped me into someone who can navigate different spaces with ease. It has given me the best of both worlds, and for that, I am grateful.

I am Chiaki Santiago.