COM Outlook Winter 2021

26 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE BY ELHAM SHAMS, M.H.S., M.S. conquering bullying and isolation P rior to our new lives in the United States, I lived in Tehran, Iran, until the age of 10. Moving to the United States was a culture shock, especially after starting school. I began fifth grade in a haze of confusion and unfamiliarity. For the first time, I was attending a coed school that did not require me to wear a hijab in class. I spent most of my time sitting alone. It took me a while to under- stand simple social cues, such as maintaining eye contact and shaking hands. Even the taste of cafeteria food was new to me. The transition of cultures felt jarring, especially coming from one that was so different. My social missteps would be a source of comedy for other students, which dampened my confidence and reinforced my belief that I did not belong. My unfamiliarity with the English language severely affected me socially. I only knew the greetings “hello” and “goodbye,” so conversations would end very quickly. This resulted in being singled out from the rest of the class, even though I desperately wanted to relate. I was placed in the English for Speakers of Other Languages program with other students who did not speak English fluently. Consequently, my peers and I became constant targets of bullying. People took advantage of the fact that I could not defend myself, and my classmates routinely mocked me when I read aloud. I was the only one to raise my hand after the teacher asked, “Who doesn’t have a partner?” The initial exhilaration of moving to a new country with unlimited potential was eclipsed by a sense of loneliness. Over time, I met much kinder and compassionate children my age and began to learn simple social cues. I eventually joined the What Matters Foundation— a nonprofit organization aimed to inspire young students to be more confident, build their self-esteem, and speak up for themselves. My favorite aspects of working for such a respectable group of people were the goals and principles they fought to accomplish. The foundation became a platform for me to connect with students on a personal, emotional, and educational level. The knowledge I gained from working