Navigating Identity: A Vietnamese American’s Journey to Belonging

Kaylee Nguyen, a sophomore from Pensacola, Florida, shares her complex relationship with her Vietnamese identity in a reflective piece published on October 27, 2025. Nguyen articulates the struggle of growing up in a predominantly white community while simultaneously feeling disconnected from her heritage. This exploration reveals a deeper conversation about cultural identity and belonging.

Finding Community in Disconnection

Nguyen’s upbringing in Pensacola, a city characterized by its Southern culture, included some Vietnamese families. Yet, she felt alienated from the community, largely due to her parents’ reluctance to engage in social activities. She reflects on her childhood, stating, “I was never really part of that.” Despite the presence of other Vietnamese families, she grappled with a sense of inadequacy, feeling that her differences set her apart from both her peers and her roots.

The internal conflict Nguyen faced was not merely about cultural differences. It stemmed from a perceived hierarchy within the Vietnamese community itself. She recounts how judgments about skin tone and language skills contributed to her feelings of exclusion. “My shame is about disappointment,” she writes, noting that the very people who should have understood her often made her feel small.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

As she transitioned to college at Johns Hopkins University, Nguyen’s sense of alienation persisted. The university’s vibrant Asian communities seemed to emphasize her outsider status. She found herself in a landscape where East Asians and South Asians formed cohesive groups, making her feel even more isolated. “The Vietnamese people I do meet are scattered,” she observes, suggesting a shared hesitation to connect deeply for fear of revealing their uncertainties about identity.

Nguyen’s struggle to articulate her identity extends to her writing. She compares her experiences to those of other writers who have celebrated their cultural roots. While they express a sense of belonging, she feels her narrative would lack the same resonance. “I don’t have a clean narrative or a triumphant rediscovery of identity,” she admits. Instead, her memories are fragmented, woven together by sensory experiences and the longing for connection.

Despite her struggles, Nguyen expresses a desire to embrace her Vietnamese heritage. She yearns to take pride in her bilingualism and appreciate the richness of her culture, even when she feels unseen. Yet, she grapples with the fear of being misunderstood by both her Vietnamese and American peers.

In her candid reflection, she acknowledges the biases she has developed, particularly towards those within her community who exhibit conservative values. This self-awareness highlights her journey toward acceptance, not just of her heritage, but also of the complexities that come with it.

Nguyen concludes with a powerful reminder of her identity, stating, “I am Kaylee Nguyen.” As she navigates her path toward self-acceptance and cultural pride, she remains committed to exploring how creativity and identity intersect. Through her writing, she aims to connect with others who share similar experiences, fostering a greater understanding of the diverse narratives that shape personal identity.

By sharing her story, Kaylee Nguyen adds a vital voice to the conversation about cultural identity in contemporary society, encouraging others to reflect on their own journeys of belonging.