Olivia Mixon

North Augusta, SC

Growing up, a major impact on who I am was my family. My family is very community oriented, as well as very heavy on traditions. Most of my memories of when I was younger are at my grandparents' house. That affected me because I thought everyone was family. I learned how tradition, and culture enriched, and was oriented within their family as well. Some traditions that were important to me were the events leading to the Sundays before Christmas, Saint Nicholas day on December 6th, and Christmas. The experiences are very warm, but can be overwhelming because my family is very loud. When I went to Germany my sophomore year, the community was so strong and overwhelming, but was also such a loving environment. Everyone's house I walked into was so welcoming and friendly. After returning to the United States, I wanted to incorporate different aspects from the culture I already knew, as well as my personal experience in Germany. Being in the environment versus having a German household in the United States. The difference between the two is having a German household is a more confined community and not as communal as it was in Germany, where connections to others was more common since they shared the same traditions and culture.