NAVIGATION
Finding home in two different worlds
by Ishmita Pradhan
For a long time, I feared losing pieces of myself. I worried that with each year, my connection to Nepal, its languages, customs and warmth was slipping away. But what I eventually learned is that culture isn’t something you can keep or lose. It’s something you carry, reshape, and return to in many new ways.
I left Nepal when I was eight years old, carrying more than a suitcase that overflowed with parts of my home and life in Nepal. I carried a language I didn’t know yet how to translate, traditions I didn’t fully understand, and a sense of home that suddenly felt distant. Moving to the United States marked the beginning of a long journey, one that would evolve into my cultural identity, belonging, and learning how to exist between two worlds.
Growing up, I often felt like I was split in half. At school, I learned how to blend in. I softened my accent trying to mimic the pronunciations of my American classmates. I started packing my lunch boxes with what looked like everyone else’s and learned that staying quiet was the way to not be put in the spotlight. At home, I was expected to hold onto values passed down many generations; respect for elders, sacrifice and resilience. Code-switching became second nature, but it also became exhausting, constantly adjusting myself depending on where I was and never feeling a sense of true belonging in either space.
Friendships came and went. Some drifted apart because I didn’t know how to explain my cultural background. Others faded because I was trying so hard to fit in environments that weren’t built for people like me. Moments where I questioned my own culture became more frequent in my mind, wondering if certain mindsets where I grew up were sustainable in a different social and cultural landscape. Was it wrong to question traditions? Was I betraying my roots by reevaluating them?
As I got older, I began to understand that staying connected to my culture didn’t mean freezing it in time. It meant finding meaningful ways to bring it into my present life. I started cooking Nepali meals alongside my family and on my own. Learning recipes that were written in their hearts, we didn’t need a cookbook, we needed the familiar spices from home; cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and garlic, and a lot of peppers. So much pepper it leaves your nose running, but you can’t stop because the flavors are addictive in the best way possible. The smell of momo (dumplings) and dal bhat (rice and lentils) reconnected to what was once my only home.
I also reshaped my relationship with my culture by learning to talk with pride instead of embarrassment. I taught my friends about Nepali traditions, explained why family is central to our values and shared music and stories from my childhood. What once felt like differences to hide away became pieces of myself to celebrate.
Today, I am proud of the way I’ve learned to exist between both worlds without feeling like I have to choose between one or the other. I can enjoy American independence while still honoring Nepali humility and community. I’ve realized my identity isn’t divided. It’s layered. Being Nepali American means I get to hold two homes at once.
My journey hasn’t been about finding where I belong. It has been about understanding that I belong to both places in different ways. And in learning that, I’ve discovered something more important. Home is not just where you come from, it’s what you choose to carry forward.
About the Author
Ishmita Pradhan, also known as Aisha to her friends and family, is a third-year student at Champlain College majoring in psychology. She grew up attending afterschool programs such as the Boys & Girls Club and now works at the King Street Center. As an afterschool staff member, she enjoys interacting with children from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of personalities. Having grown up as an immigrant person of color, Aisha has become a strong advocate for Champlain College students. She was an active member of Student Government Association (SGA) and was nominated by her peers as both a first-year and second-year representative.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
This month’s member spotlight is a feature on Tian Berry (she/her)!
Tian has lived in Vermont her whole life and is based in Burlington. She is a student in the social work field and is currently an MSW intern, with aspirations to work in policy practice, advocating for underserved individuals and amplifying voices that are often overlooked.
news FROM THE NETWORK
Looking for 2026 Spotlights!
VT PoC is looking to spotlight BIPOC community members in Vermont through our Saturday social media features and monthly newsletter!
Social Media Spotlights: Please email outreach@vtpoc.net or DM us on Instagram!
Don’t Forget to Take Advantage of VT PoC’s Resources!
Looking for new opportunities or ways to get involved?
We offer a variety of resources to support you—personally and professionally!
| Other Resources | |
|---|---|
| Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission: Participate in Interview to Inform Shelburne Town Plan | We are conducting a series of one-on-one interviews to hear directly from community members whose experiences and perspectives can help shape Shelburne’s future. The 45-minute interview will focus on your observations and experiences related to housing, land use, economic development, transportation, wellbeing, and community identity and will help inform draft policies that reflect what matters most to residents. |
| Community Health Investment Fund Emerging Need Funding Application Fiscal Year 2026 | University of Vermont Medical Center seeks to address the top community health priorities by investing in local organizations. Applicants for funding must be non-profit, municipal, or other government organizations. Projects must primarily support community members in UVM Medical Center’s Health Service Area (Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties) and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. |
EVENTS
February 5 — VT PoC Membership Orientation: Welcome to The Fam!
New to VT PoC? Or maybe you have been following us for a while but still aren’t sure about all of our resources? Join us on the first Thursday of every month for our VT PoC Member Orientation: Welcome to The Fam!
We are excited to connect and help you get the most out of being part of the Fam!
February 10 — VT PoC Pop-Up: BIPOC Yoga with BYEP
VT PoC will be attending Burlington Yoga Equity Project (BYEP)’s FREE BIPOC Yoga Classes, and we invite you to join us for these healing sessions! These classes are available both in-person and virtually.
The VT PoC staff plan to attend the in-person sessions on the following dates:
Tuesday, January 6, from 5:45 PM to 7:00 PM
Tuesday, February 10, from 5:45 PM to 7:00 PM
Tuesday, March 31, from 5:45 PM to 7:00 PM
February 22 — VT PoC x Petra Cliffs: BIPOC Indoor Climb
VT PoC is excited to partner with Petra Cliffs again to welcome BIPOC folks to embark on an exhilarating ascent at our BIPOC Indoor Climbing one Sunday each month from 3:30 to 5:30 PM!
Please note there is a sliding scale payment with a suggested donation of $5.
Upcoming Dates:
January 25, 2026
February 22, 2026
March 22, 2026
February 24 — VT PoC Co-Work & Chill: Scout
Join us for VT PoC’s co-working sessions! Co-Work & Chill is a super informal space for chatting, getting out of the house, co-working, etc. Find us at Scout in Burlington (South End location on Pine Street) on Tuesday, February 24, from 11:00 to 2:00 pm!
Walk-ins are welcome, but feel free to let us know you’re coming by RSVPing at the link below.
Please note that this is a BIPOC affinity gathering. Thank you ✨
trainings & professional development
| Date | Workshop | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Month | Vermont Joblink: Interview Skills, Career Guidance, Resume Prep, Etc. | Multiple | |
| All Month | FREE Professional Development Workshops for Artists | Multiple | |
| Feb 3 | CVOEO: Keys to Credit | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Virtual |
| Feb 3 | 2026 KickStartNEK | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Lyndon |
| Feb 5, 12 | CVOEO: Spend SMART | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Virtual |
| Feb 7 | Lunch with Lenders | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Hybrid |
| Feb 14, 15 | The NOFA-VT 2026 Winter Conference | 8:00 AM | Colchester |
| Feb 17 | CVOEO: Creating a Financial Future | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Virtual |
| Feb 18 | CVOEO: Avoiding Scams and Financial Fraud | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Virtual |
| Feb 24 | Winter Roots: A Series for People in the Nonprofit Sector | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Virtual |
FUNDING & GRANTS
Thank you to everyone who applied for VT PoC’s Community Impact Grant!
Applications are closed—we hope to reopen this opportunity in the future. If you’d like to learn more or contribute, click the link below!
| Due Date | Grant | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling | Haymarket People’s Fund: Urgent Response Grants | Up to $5,000 to help grassroots social change organizations respond quickly to unforeseen crises or opportunities that critically affect your organization and constituency. Includes unexpected events, political crises, or organizing opportunities. Grants are NOT to be used for ongoing program work (including expenses the organization should have anticipated), for financial crises, a projected funding shortfall, or because the group missed a funding deadline. |
| Rolling | Nonprofit Enhanced Rebate | For eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits to purchase qualifying equipment or complete a custom project. |
| Rolling | Vermont Humanities Rapid Response Grants | Quick turn-around small grants for humanities-focused community projects. Awards up to $1,000. |
| Rolling | Grassroots Fund: Seed Grants | Support for community groups who represent a broad range of voices in their community and who are not being reached by other funders. |
| Rolling | New England Presenter Travel Fund | Supports travel costs associated with researching artistic work that may eventually be presented in New England. |
| Rolling | Community Action Team | Offers general or project support within the broad guidelines and funding provided by the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation. |
| Rolling | USDA Small Business Cost Share Program | Businesses with fewer than 50 employees and gross profit under $1,000,000 are eligible. |
| Rolling | Social Equity: Vermont Cannabis Control Board | Individuals determined to meet social equity status by the Vermont Cannabis Control Board may be eligible. |
NEWS
A South Burlington Clinic Offers Free Health Care
Every Saturday, people can see a primary care doctor — or even specialists — at a free clinic found within the state’s only mosque.
Peak Makaya Coffee Co-op Opens Essex Junction Retail Shop
Artist and nonprofit co-op founder Pievy Polyte offers free tastings of coffee and cocoa from his native Haiti in the newly opened store and gallery.
