Institute students who gave personal narratives exploring one's sense of identity. This week we continue with two others.

Being a Bermudian is unquestionably a privilege. I have found this out in my travels to different countries.

We, as Bermudians, are admired everywhere because we are able to live on an inscrutable island with beautiful and friendly people. You might say that you could go to Bahamas, Cayman Islands or any other tropical isle and find the same thing. You would be wrong because Bermuda is unique, and our uniqueness is shown through our culture.

When I went to Florida for Christmas I missed my cassava pie. Every Christmas I have this favourite Bermudian dish and that year I went without.

While I was abroad people would say, "Bermuda, how nice. I always wanted to go there.'' These are the exact words from all sorts of people who asked where I lived. Coming to Bermuda is a dream to Americans, and I am here taking it for granted. Every time I visit the states, without fail I get the same reaction.

In Boston, where I stayed for a couple of weeks, was enlightening. I caught the subway or train everywhere to save money. I noticed that the school children all had on jeans and shirts for school. I knew they wore grub clothes and not a uniform, but it looked untidy. I like our school systems with the uniform because it shows you have pride in your school.

I also noticed a conglomeration of dirt and grime that lined the streets. When you're abroad for long periods of time you start to get sick of the debris.

The only thing that was exciting was the snow because it was the first time for me. Witnessing those filthy streets was enough to send me packing back home.

Our accents are the first thing that gives us away. Bermudians are known for our lazy English. When I went to Jamaica to do my gold expedition for Duke of Edinburgh, I realised how bad Bermudians talk. Don't get me wrong, those Jamaicans are very hard to understand.

When any of the Bermudians spoke all the West Indians were mesmerised by our accents. One Trinidadian told me about one word I always said wrong, `well'. I pronounced it as `welllll' instead of `well'. Until this very day I still say it the same way. Our sturdy accents are what divide us from everyone else.

What I hope is that I would never lose my Bermudian accent.

From the diversity of my experiences I have learned to appreciate my nationality and our holidays that we all look forward to, like Cup Match, 24th of May, and Good Friday. During Good Friday we are flying kites, playing marbles and eating fish cakes. Even on an ordinary Sunday to have codfish and potatoes is what I, as a Bermudian, love. To give up my clean streets, beaches, schools and our accents would almost be suicidal. Okay maybe not as far as death, but unthinkable.

In conclusion, I would have to say I would not give up my Bermuda for anything.

By Melissa Grant Melissa Grant