In celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month, this series features profiles of community members who have immigrated to Grand Rapids.
Sana and Ammad Khan
For Immigrant Heritage Month, I asked several friends and connections who immigrated to Grand Rapids to share a little about their heritage. The goal of this endeavor is to helpeducate and inform myselfand others in the community about the rich cultures of our neighbors. And, to celebrate the ways that these individuals have contributed to what we know as American culture today. I asked each of them the same questions and their responses are all featured here in theProfilesection of The Rapidian.
Sana Khan is a graduate student at Grand Valley State University and also a clothing designer in her spare time. I met her at the Grand Rapids Asian Festival, where she had a booth selling Pakistani clothing and accessories. She was gracious enough to invite me to her home to shop after I missed the opportunity to do so at the Festival. After chatting with her, I knew wanted to ask her to participate. She enthusiastically accepted!
I asked Khan: What is an important part of your culture/heritage that you want to preserve in your life and also want to share with American culture? And, what in American culture do you embrace?
Khan said: "The important part that I feel should preserve in my life and pass on to my children would be knowing my mother language which is Urdu, which is a combination of Hindi and Persian languages. I want to preserve the folk and cultural music of my country, which reminds me of the beauty of nature from different cities and states. And, I would like to preserve the religious values that have been taught to me.
In our culture, and to me, family values are important. We celebrate our children and we celebrate old people. It is a norm in our culture to have inter-generational cohabitation. We look after our parents, our kids, and our families.
I would like to share my cultures family values with American culture. I feel that here people celebrate their independence more. I hear people saying that 18-years-olds should get their own place and move out. I feel like that there is a generation gap here; I would like this to change maybe a little bit.
What in American culture do I embrace?
I love how generous people are here. I love it when someone holds the door for you or you do the same for them and you receive this warm smile and a gesture of thank you and welcomes.
I want to embrace the fact that people here dont judge each other by their looks and color.
My name is Sana Khan. I grew up in Pakistan and immigrated in 2009. I am pursuing my Masters in Cell and Molecular Biology from Grand Valley State University. I am working as an intern in Translational Science and Molecular Medicine at Michigan State University. I love designing Pakistani modern cultural clothes and I occasionally design stuff for my friends and family living here. If you'd like to check out my collection you can go to my Facebook page: Elegant Cuts."
About: Allison Bannister (Queenofgr)
Allison has been a West Michigan resident since 1987, when she moved from the east side of the state to attend GVSU. She currently lives on the northeast side of Grand Rapids and has been a professional writer since 2002. Recently, she launched her own freelance writing business. An enthusiasm for arts and culture brought her to The Rapidian to participate in the ArtPrize Community Journalism Program. A love of writing and her adopted city promises future community journalism endeavors.
Comments, like all content, are held to The Rapidian standards of civility and open identity as outlined in our Terms of Use and Values Statement. We reserve the right to remove any content that does not hold to these standards.
Read the original:
Immigrant Heritage Month Profile: Meet Sana Khan - The Rapidian
- Podcast 9 Athens part 3 and news [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Podcast 10 Athens part 4 [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Podcast 11 Athens Part 5 [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 12 Cardiac Nuclear Medicine in the UK [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Podcast 13 Choline PET and prostate cancer [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode14 ED function and Dysponea [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- ep 15 Collimator Choice and Reconstruction algorithm [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 16 Dr Strauss on vulnerable plaque [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode17 Chemical Stress [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 18 Myocardial Perfusion Imaging and Diabetes [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 19 The INSPIRE trial [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 20 Dual isotope with a difference [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 21 The real effect of stress [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 22 D-SPECT [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 23 VQ Reprise [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 24 Hepatobiliary Nuclear Medicine [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 25 Sleep Apnea [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 26 Imaging Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 27 Cardiac Stem Cells [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 28 Molly Supply [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 29 Melanoma therapy interview with Dr Ekaterina Dadachova [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 30 Viral Therapy [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 31 breast radiotherapy using radioisotopes [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 32 news from snm [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 33 EBV Imaging and Therapy [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Episode 34 Dr Lele SNM India 2009 [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Episode 35 Dr Andrew Scott from the Ludwig institute [Last Updated On: January 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2010]
- Episode 36 CardiArc [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2010]
- Episode 37 Dr Modder Radiosynoviorthesis (Radiation Synovectomy) [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2010]
- Episode 38 Indian Nuclear Medicine With Dr Malhotra and Dr Krishna [Last Updated On: May 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 28th, 2010]
- Episode 39 Prof Ora Israel The Utility of Hybrid Imaging [Last Updated On: July 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 13th, 2010]
- Episode 40 New V/Q SPECT developments [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Episode 41 scintimun [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- Episode 42 Radio-Isotope Supply into the future [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2011]
- Podcast 4: DNA therapy [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2011]
- Sorry about the delay a new podcast will be out soon! [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2011]
- Podcast 5 Flash 3D [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2011]
- Podcast 6 Affibody [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2011]
- Podcast 7 EANM 2006 Athens Part 1 [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2011]
- Podcast 8 Athens Part 2 [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2011]
- Episode 43 Rapidscan Part 1, 720P high quality video version [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2011]
- Episode 43 Rapidscan Part 1, Ipod quality video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2011]
- Episode 43 Rapidscan Part 1, Audio version [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2011]
- Episode 45 Mummies with cardiovascular disease video [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Episode 45 Mummies with cardiovascular disease audio edition [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Episode 46 Dr Gordon DePuey Choosing Reconstruction clinical perspective [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2011]
- Episode 46 Dr Gordon DePuey Choosing Reconstruction clinical perspective audio version [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2011]
- Episode 47 Cardiac Image Fusion With Dr Kaufmann [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2011]
- Episode 47 Cardiac Fusion with Dr Kaufmann video version [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2011]
- Dear Steve, I am and many more like me are your one more thing. [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2011]
- EPISODE 48 PET MRI camera from Siemens with Dr Georgi audio [Last Updated On: October 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2011]
- EPISODE 48 PET MRI camera from Siemens Dr Georgi video [Last Updated On: October 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2011]
- Silicon Biosystems to Present Single-Circulating Tumor Cell Molecular Characterization at the Fourth World CTC Summit [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Leukaemia cells have a remembrance of things past [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Technologist Education Requirements Can Help Cut Repeat Scans [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- HKU Collaborative Research Discovers A Novel Molecular Mechanism Of A New Anti-HIV-1 Drug Candidate [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and the Nephrotic Syndrome - Part 1 Clinical - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Electro-Medicine : Biological Physics - The Molecular Basis of Alzheimers Disease - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- osdd heterocyclic compounds and molecular medicines - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Molecule to Medicine: The Biomarker Frontier - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Fulfilling the Promise of Molecular Medicine in a Developmental Brain Disorder - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Focus on Stefanie Dimmeler - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Dundee [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Nanotechnology In Medicine: Huge Potential, But What Are The Risks? [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Cutting Edge Technology Coming To DMH [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- This Week in Experimental and Molecular Pathology [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Researchers' discovery offers hope for cancer, heart disease miracle drugs [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2012]
- Penn State student Zachary Hostetler from Garnet Valley is being honored as a student marshal [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2012]
- NCKU Student Wins Prestigious Award for Anti-Cancer Research [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Market (Clinical Chemistry, Immunoassays, Molecular Diagnostics, Hematology Analyzers ... [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Pitt team uses genomics to identify a molecular-based treatment for a viral skin cancer [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Genomics used to identify a molecular-based treatment for a viral skin cancer [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- 2 molecular biologists get $500K medical prize [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- 2 molecular biologists share $500K medical prize [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Lab21 Unveils New Molecular Analysis Services at Greenville Site [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- 2 molecular biologists from NYC to share $500K medical prize for pioneering research on cells [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Two Molecular Biologists Get $500K Medical Prize [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Pair of molecular biologists receive Albany Medical Center Prize [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- CNIO scientists successfully test the first gene therapy against aging-associated decline [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Cancer Institute of New Jersey Aims to Advance Personalized Cancer Treatments Through 'Precision Medicine' [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]