Ecology of Shukrana

Family

Music ShukrullaLeadimage

Travel dominicanrep-csp-student

Religion - Islam images

Photography 52694537377_160526b35a_k

Moving Houses 10+ times

Afghan Heritage

Being an Immigrant

Siblings Screenshot_20230916_215545_Instagram

2019 HS Exchange to France Screenshot_20230916_215736_Instagram

I had to change schools often

I lived in LA for three years

Living in Northern VA

I was exposed to diverse cultures in my neighborhoods and schools

Being around primarily uppermiddle class peers

Feeling of Displacement

I struggled with a lack of a sense of home

Felt isolated because my parents didn't speak fluent English

Amidst the difficulties of often moving around, I found a solace in music

Songwriting

Singing

Playing Guitar and Piano

Family

Listening to other artists' music

Older Sisters - Role Models Screenshot_20230916_214833_Instagram

Parents Screenshot_20230916_215628_Instagram

Mom Screenshot_20230916_215628_Instagram-2

Influenced by Afghan values and beliefs

Internal conflict of identity from growing up in an American school system and western social environments while being raised by Afghan parents and siblings

Little connection to extended family

Not drinking alcohol

Joining Muslim Students Association at JMU

Belief in God

Islam emphasizes the importance of helping others and doing good deeds for others

Celebrating religious holidays with family

Creating Content

Posting on Instagram as way to stay connected to friends

Working as a "Marketing and Design Coordinator" for JMU Study Abroad creating graphics and marketing material

Given a camera from my older brother

Moving from smartphone cameras, this sparked my interest in using DLSR cameras

Photography Job at SACM for JMU

Taking photos while traveling

Gives me a new lens to see the world through

First time traveling outside USA

My brothers inspired me to learn to play the piano and produce music.

Leading the photography team 53132081511_b51ef81395_o

Creative outlet

These struggles motivate me to want to settle in one place forever in the future.

Struggling to fit in with peers

Made it hard to socialize with students outside classes

finding a new community of friends Screenshot_20230916_231847_Instagram

Helps me have a healthy emotional and mental well-being

I've been able to find friends who don't drink and also share many of the same values and beliefs as me

Learning to embrace two different cultures

Speaking Farsi at home

Being bilingual inspired me to learn other languages

Passionate about learning French

Going on a HS exchange to France with my French class Screenshot_20230916_231138_Instagram

Being able to speak with French locals motivated me to connect with more people of different cultures by learning other languages

Became passionate about learning Mandarin and Korean

Becoming more globally aware and curious about other nations and cultures

Becoming more open-minded about different value and belief systems across cultures globally

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Developing a combination of collectivist AND individualistic values

Being very independent and focused on personal success (individualistic)

Being very-family oriented (collectivist)

Going to university in the same state not too far from home

Keeping very close bonds with my family

Going to JMU

Seeking "family" in close friendships

Feeling like an outsider

Feeling more empathetic towards other immigrants

Wanting to pursue a career that enables me to help other immigrants

Loneliness

Writing songs to cope

Learning to become more independent

Working harder to develop social relationships

Developing strong social skills

Extrovert Qualities

Becoming more self-confident

Desire to develop a bigger and strong network of friends

feeling a sense of belonging and acceptance from having big friend groups Screenshot_20230916_215854_Instagram

Younger brother, Ali Screenshot_20230916_215545_Instagram-4

Older brothers

Being inspired by my oldest sister, Shugufa, for pursuing a non-traditional career in cosmetology and becoming successful Screenshot_20230916_215545_Instagram-3

Seeing my sister, Shabnam, excel in school and go to university! Screenshot_20230916_215545_Instagram-2

She gets a full ride to JMU and constantly raves about JMU

Inspired me to apply to JMU and attend, too! Screenshot_20230916_214442_Instagram

motivating me to follow my passion for music as a career path

I end up with the same full-ride scholarship and enrolled at JMU T4c4I_Qc_400x400

Gives me the courage to keep pursuing following music when I get discouraged

I feel empowered to be a legacy Duke

Inspired me to work hard in school and also reach the top of my class

My older brother, Sulaymon Screenshot_20230916_215545_Instagram-5

Their musical tastes expose me to Bollywood

I become more open to listening to international music genres

I find a love for international musicians and global musical genres

Lets me use his professional studio equipment and I start to experiment with music production

I start a new hobby in music production

My brothers' musical tastes expose me to EDM music

I become a lover of pop EDM music

Being a big sister makes feel responsible for also raising him

Our relationship was up and down while growing up

As young adults, we're learning to improve our relationship

Having a sibling close to age is comforting

Encouraging one another

I feel like a role model figure for him

We were both raised in the USA unlike our other siblings so we understand each other's struggles especially at school

I produce my first music cover and upload it online

My oldest brother, Anif Screenshot_20230916_215545_Instagram-6

Gives encouragement about my music abilities and pushes me to follow my passion for music

Gives me my first camera

I feel supported in my dreams to pursue a career in music

Builds confidence in my musical talents

Gives me a keyboard at the age of 10

I find a passion for making music

I teach myself to play the piano

I start to write songs with the piano !

I practice taking photos on a professional camera Screenshot_20230916_215830_Instagram

I develop my photography skills

Hobby turns into a skill

I start taking travel photos for the first time in France

My love for travel and photography grows

I get a job as a photographer at JMU

I find a love for Bollywood music

Provides me financial support when my parents cannot

Her work ethic and people skills inspire me to be like her

I prioritize developing my social skills

Dad Screenshot_20230916_215628_Instagram-3

Her passion for social justice and helping people in need

Always supports my career goals and motivates me to dream big

Inspires me to help others and become a changemaker myself

I feel empowered and supported in my career endeavors

Strongly values higher education

Motivates me to go to college and study abroad

Encouraged me to participate in music and theatre

I joined choir, guitar, and theatre programs in school

Taught me Arabic and religious scriptures

I started reading the Qur'an from a young age

My connection with faith and religion strengthened

Performing arts became an important part of my high school career Screenshot_20230916_215749_Instagram

They always trust me, support my goals and interests, and allow me to do what makes me happy

I designed my own major at college

I studied abroad and am able to travel often without worrying about needing permission or convincing anyone

I have a sense of independence

I am able to change my career interests freely

His passion for traveling inspired me to travel too

inspires my academic interests in global policy and social reform

Financial insecurities

Makes me work harder towards a better financial future

I learned to appreciate the value of money

I'm good with handling money

I desire and work towards a high-paying career to avoid having financial instability in the future

Being a First-Gen college student

Higher Education is a privilege for me and my family

I feel lucky to have the opportunity to pursue higher education

Being at JMU makes me feel proud of myself for making it to university

I received a full-ride scholarship specifically for first-gen students

I want to make the most out of this degree because I was gifted this opportunity to attend college for free

I feel "well-educated" for attending college

I feel like a part of a community

I feel happy for my choices in friendships

I feel comfortable being me

I want to help the world and do good through my career

Religion gives me a sense of purpose

Religion is important to my family

Practicing Islam makes me feel more connected to my family and my heritage

It motivated me to advance my photography skills

I see myself as a leader and mentor to my peers

I have profitable creative skills

Enables me to express my creativity through taking and editing a variety of photos

Seeing my work showcased and used around the school makes me feel valued for my talents - "talented"

I feel a special connection to my brother through photography

Feeling pressured to keep my followers updated about my life

Enjoying creating art and sharing it with others

Having fun with creating aesthetic photos

Having my photos showcased at The Union at JMU! Shukrana's Public Gallery at JMU 52671379120_14e60fb657_k

My travel photos are featured in a traveling exhibit through the U.S. Dept of State! Impact of Exchange Traveling Exhibit ! 52670439792_0f13872a16_k

I feel recognized for my talents

This proves that my photography skills competes at the national level!

I'm a "nationally-renowned" photographer

I am an asset to JMU for my photography works

Being promoted to a "Social Media Intern" for JMU Study Abroad 230825_SA_GlobalAmbs_FullRes-1011-2

Being a part of the JMU Study Abroad team makes me feel important and acknowledged for my creative capabilities

Enables me to stay connected to my passion for study abroad in another way

I'm often associated with study abroad by my peers

Photography shows me a different way of looking at the world

Coming from an Afghan background while also being raised in American culture inspired me to explore more cultures 20220924_162721-2

Exhilarating and Exciting

Speaking French with locals in France was life changing

I want to do it again!

I realized the ability of language to be able to communicate with more people in the world

I worked my first job (as a cashier) to be able to fund my trip

I proved to myself I can do whatever I set my mind to

I am inspired to learn more languages

I became curious to see more of the world

I studied abroad in college

JMU Semester in London

Semester Exchange at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea Screenshot_20230916_215943_Instagram

Summer Arts and Culture Program in Japan

First long-term travel

Living in London

Homesickness

Realizing how much I am attached to my family

Exhilarated to have all this independence

Navigating a big city was challenging at first

I adjusted quickly

I realized I am very adaptable

I struggled to make friends

I went on a group tour in Italy alone

I made new friends from around the world Screenshot_20230916_215719_Instagram

I met some of those friends back in London!

I was able to make amazing friends from different cultures in a different country!

I impressed myself :) My confidence in myself and my social skills went up!

I explored many places around London alone!

I created a routine

I interned for a national performing arts org in London JpegBYMT_MASTER_RGB

I was given very challenging tasks, some of which I had never done before

I secured over $4,000 worth of donations for a fundraiser!

I gained confidence in my professional skills

I learned about the British arts scene

Became familiar with the British workplace

After successfully completing the internship, I regard myself as someone who is globally competent in the workforce

Screenshot_20230916_215935_Instagram I traveled solo for the first time! Prague, Czech Republic

I see myself as brave for having traveled to another country alone for a whole weekend!

I made life-long friends there

I attended a classical concert and opera for the first time and I still had fun even though I went alone

I proved to myself I can enjoy my own company

Took courses in K-Pop and Korean Popular Culture

Filmed a K-Pop Music Video Cover in the streets of Seoul with classmates from around the world Watch K-Pop Music Video Cover Here

"I can collaborate with people from around the world!"

I danced, acted, and edited the music video!

I pride myself for being able to step outside my comfort zone and edit a music video that impressed my classmates!

Went to 10+ concerts, music festivals, etc.

Learned how different the music market in South Korea is compared to USA

Inspired me to want to work with K-Pop artists in the future

Enjoyed experiencing the different artist-fan culture in S. Korea

I feel passionate about working with international artists one day

Saw how music could bring together so many people from different backgrounds!

I feel motivated to work in music by seeing how music has promoted so much tourism to South Korea

I went paragliding in the South Korean countryside! Screenshot_20230916_215951_Instagram

For stepping outside my comfort zone and actually doing this, I see myself as a fearless explorer. An adventurer.

Living in an international dorm

Made friends with students from around the world

I learned about a lot of different cultures and nations through my new friendships 52670440632_a98053a3ed_k

I feel like a well-informed global citizen

Studied the Korean language

Interacted with locals and exchanged conversations

It felt rewarding to use my new language skills to interact with locals

I feel brave and smart for being able to have those interactions!

I earned 3 national scholarships to study abroad!

"I am smart and capable of making my dreams come true."

We spent several weeks in Kyoto

I experienced the most friendly hospitality in the world

I made friends with local Japanese students

I learned about the Japanese music scene through them

I immersed myself in the arts and culture of Japan

Zen meditation at a temple showed me the power of meditation

I experienced a culture like I've never seen before

I was positively inspired by the different way of life In Japan

I feel enlightened through these experiences

When we struggled to speak each other's languages, I was able to have conversations with Japanese students in Korean!

I learned that many students learn Korean because of their passions for K-Pop

I am even more inspired by music's diplomatic powers

I feel more confident in my decision to pursue a career in the music industry

Tokyo

I was impressed by the stunning architecture and fast pace of the city

I am intrigued how cities and nations can operate so differently than what we are exposed to in the USA

I feel that I still don't know much about the world. The world looks even bigger now.

Living in the entertainment capital of the world inspired me to want to work in that industry someday

I was exposed to different cultures

I feel more open-minded because I was raised around diverse communities

I struggled to keep friends

I had to learn to quickly catch up on schoolwork when moving to new schools in the middle of the year

I had to navigate new school systems and classes

I worked harder in school

I learned to strengthen my social skills and make friends easily

"I am a hardworker and have always been one from a young age."

"I can easily navigate new friend groups."

I am good at adapting to new tasks quickly!

I am good at intercultural communication and forming relationships with people from different backgrounds.

I didn't grow up with a lot of the things my peers had, but I've learned to appreciate the value of working and making money.

They struggled to speak with my teachers

My friends' parents didn't have much relatioships with my parents unlike other kids and their families

I often had to share my academics with my parents directly and kept myself accountable.

I am independent and keep myself accountable.

I worked extra hard to make and maintain friendships with my peers and their families

As a result, I've become good at socializing with people of all ages.

I strongly value settling down in one place in the future.

Wrote songs and made music to cope with these feelings

It has made me a better musician! It brought me to my passion for making music.

Made me more adaptable to change

I can navigate unfamiliar environment easily.

I am a better traveler.

I can adjust to foreign environments and better immerse myself in different cultures!

Through writing songs, I can express painful feelings in a healthy way that is fun and helps me heal in the process.

Songwriting helped me overcome a lot of difficulties growing up.

Singing helped me be able to channel my pain into a creative outlet. Singing helps me get my feelings out.

Through frequent practice, I have become a better singer and have developed an appreciation and love for other singers.

With backing instruments, I can sing covers and write my own music. It brings me so much joy and comfort in my life. Screenshot_20230916_215816_Instagram

Music is my way of healing and making joy.

Has given me comfort and relief during difficult periods in my life.

Brings me joy.

The Global Music Industry

I love going to concerts, especially overseas, it's amazing to see how music can brings communities of people from all different backgrounds together over their shared love for an artist and their music. story_1657894181082

I have a great appreciation for the people in the music industry that make the distribution of music happen.

I especially love seeing artist-fan relationships and how it impacts peoples' lives in such beautiful ways.

I want to be someone that makes music happen for someone else.

My purpose in life is to help bring music to the world.

Through the global exchange of music, I can oneday help foster a future of incusiviity and social harmony.

My sisters introduced me to Bollywood music!

They introduced me to EDM music!

Both of these things are some of my favorite parts of music.

They opened me to exploring other international music genres.

My parents believe in the power of music, too.

They always encourage me to pursue a career in music.

I love exploring genres from around the world. :)

I have endless support so there's no reason not to go after a career in music!

I travel to learn more about global music markets to help pursue this passion!

Seeing the power of international music to influence globalization and the spread and global appreciation of new cultures is inspiring and amazing to me.

Designing a major in "Global Music Business" at JMU

Having the flexibility and independence to cater my studies to my interests allowed me to experiment different fields

I was able to study abroad multiple times and attend concerts overseas, exposing me to international music markets

I am an avid-concert goer and have a good understanding of how culture affects different music markets around the world. 20220618_162411

I went to a K-Pop concert in Japan and it was amazing!! Given Japan/Korea's turbulent history, I was impressed by this exchange and appreciate among cultures