WHO AM I?

When I hear the question, "Who are you?" I answer, "I am Kirsten and I come from Ecuador," but that answer does not say much about my identity. Then I start naming some of my personal characteristics. I am shy, I have a hard time talking to new people, but I enjoy very much the company of my friends. But who am I? I am also a student and have a Psychology degree from Ecuador and I am continuing my education here in the United States.

None of the reponses above accurately and complety describe my identity. It is a much more difficult task that I imagined to look inside myself and try to discover who I really am. I believe that we change with time and experience so our identities change in the same way.

Identity is created by the development of personality in society, where one goes though different experiences. In this way we are not alone because we share the world and our lives with many other people. In my case, some of the features of my personality, things that I like to do, and experiences that I identify with, I got from the environment where I grew up and the place where we all lived. My identity comes from my familiy who lives in a small town in Ecuador.


The most important things that are part of my identity are the values (respect, responsibility and helpfulness) that my parents taught me. This helpfulness was internalized as a child and has had a profound impact on my professional life. As a teacher I would have the opportunity to help vulnerable people, those who need support and assistance the most. In my work with children with disabilities, I have seen the difference that a smile, a word of encouragement, or a helpful hand plays in the everyday experiences of these children. These acts may seem small and unimportant but make a huge differene to the children, their parents and, in a smaller but no less important way, to society.

I am also proud of myself for taking on the challenges of living in a foreign country, attending graduate school and working in a foreign language, and deciding to become a mother. All of these things are difficult but I feel these experiences have given me a quiet confidence that allows me to take on challenges willingly and to live a more fulfilling life.

My identity was built little by little through the years. My identity developed through the influence of my family and other people that have been part of my life in different circumstances or times. I like to be kind and help anybody if it is in my power to do so. I do not consider myself to be any more special than others...I just believe that simple values are what we all need as human beings that share the same planet.