Author: ethiopianamericangirl

My name is Hellina. I was born and raised in the United States. My parents were born and raised in Ethiopia. They immigrated here to the U.S. as young adults. At home, I was raised with strong Ethiopian cultural values. Away from home, I was just another black american kid. This blog shares various stories and opinions I have accumulated over the years as an Ethiopian American. These views are my own, based on my experiences. Issues discussed are cultural identity, socialization, struggles, relationships, and how to teeter totter between two worlds. Join in on the conversation with me.

Melkam Gena! (Merry Christmas, Again!)

January 7, 2018

Melkam Gena, or in English Merry Christmas.  In Ethiopia Christmas falls on January 7th every year.  This is because the Ethiopian Christian Church follows the Julian Calendar.  The Julian Calendar predates the Gregorian Calendar.  Ethiopia is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, and adopted Christianity in the 4th Century.   Growing up, my parents … More Melkam Gena! (Merry Christmas, Again!)

“Ethiopian Family Taboo: Wait…Mom is Really My Grandma?!”

April 26, 2015

I always thought it would be cool to have a complicated family. When I was growing up, I had friends with parents who were divorced, which resulted in an abundance of  step-fathers and step-mothers, step-brothers and step-sisters, half-brothers and half-sisters and even more extended relatives. It sounds chaotic, which it could be at times, but it … More “Ethiopian Family Taboo: Wait…Mom is Really My Grandma?!”

SUCCESS: Who has it easier…the Immigrant or the American born Ethiopian?

April 14, 2015

I have heard this question posed before.  I heard someone say that the Ethiopian Immigrant has it easier , or an easier path to success than the American born Ethiopian.  In other words the statement was made to imply that the Ethiopian born Immigrant tends to be more successful than the American Born Ethiopian.  The … More SUCCESS: Who has it easier…the Immigrant or the American born Ethiopian?

Raising your kid “Ethiopian” or “American”

March 25, 2015

When raising your child in America, should you instill Ethiopian values or American values? Is there any American way to raise a child and an Ethiopian way to raise a child? (insert any other immigrant group besides Ethiopian if applicable). Ethiopians that immigrate to America from Ethiopia are forced to raise their children in an … More Raising your kid “Ethiopian” or “American”