Suresh Marapane
Adopting a dual identity
Q: How did you adapt to the cultural differences between Sri Lanka and the US when you first moved?
A: I was fortunate to have several American host families guide me as I adapted to life in the United States. Through daily interactions with them, I learned how to communicate clearly and behave in culturally appropriate ways.
Early challenges included respecting interpersonal spaces (not getting too physically close when talking!), refraining from familiar gestures like touching or holding hands and adapting to a new body language.
Our Sri Lankan head wobble was particularly confusing to Americans, who couldn’t tell if I was agreeing or disagreeing!
Punctuality was another key adjustment, as was avoiding unannounced visits.
When it came to communication, I had to navigate a new world of slang and idioms. Not only did I need to learn new terms but also had to unlearn some familiar ones. I vividly remember those early days, struggling with casual greetings and small talk; I had to remind myself to be concise and not over-explain when responding to simple greetings.
Despite these differences, I soon realised that many of the core values that Americans hold – such as faith, family, equality, freedom, and respect for law and order – weren’t vastly different from my own.
This helped bridge the cultural gap and reassured me that Americans were far more diverse and nuanced than the images we saw in movies in Sri Lanka.
Ultimately, I feel it was an optimistic attitude that made adapting to these cultural differences easier.
Q: What opportunities for career growth have you found in the US that might not have been available in Sri Lanka?
A: While there are opportunities for an electrical engineer with a PhD in Sri Lanka such as academic roles, I believe that achieving the same level of professional growth and global impact would have been more challenging, due to the different socioeconomic and political landscape.
The US’ diverse and dynamic work environment, combined with access to cutting-edge technology and global markets, enabled me to explore and expand my expertise in ways that would have been more limited back home.
Here, I’ve benefitted from a culture that encourages professional development, cross-functional collaboration and continuous learning.
The opportunities for networking with industry leaders, participating in global projects, and working in a highly competitive and merit based environment have contributed to my career progression, enabling me to refine my skills and take on increasingly challenging roles.
Q: Has living in the US affected your sense of identity?
A: Living in the US has enriched my sense of identity by enabling me to embrace a dual identity as a Sri Lankan-American.
Thanks to strong connections to the Sri Lankan community here and frequent trips to Sri Lanka, I’ve been able to preserve my roots while fully integrating into American life.
This dual identity is not only a source of pride but also a unique strength that enhances my work and personal life; it provides me with a broader perspective, enabling me to connect with and understand a diverse range of people and situations.
I feel equally comfortable in both worlds and celebrate the richness that this duality brings to my life.
FACT FILE
FAMILY
Wife – Arundathi
Children – Daham, Sidath and Samadhi
SCHOOLING
Dharmaraja College (Kandy)
HIGHER EDUCATION
PhD in electrical and computer engineering
PRESENT OCCUPATION
Retired IT Director – Procter & Gamble
COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE
US
CITY OF RESIDENCE
Cincinnati (Ohio)
CV IN A NUTSHELL
Suresh Marapane was born in Kandy and grew up in the village of Pilimathalawa. After completing high school, he moved to the US to pursue higher education.
He earned a PhD and embarked on a career at Procter & Gamble that stretched nearly 30 years, and recently retired.
Marapane is married to Arundathi with whom he recently celebrated 35 years of marriage. They have three accomplished children: an architect, IT professional and aspiring pharmacist.
He is a passionate singer, a movie aficionado, an avid traveller and a devoted foodie, living by the motto of ‘sing like no one is listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like no one is watching and live like it is heaven on Earth.’
