By: Émilie Leger
GoRhody.com staff 


"[Culture] is something that represents you, it's your identity."
 
Culture is defined as all the ways of life within a population that are passed down through generations. This includes but is not limited to arts, beliefs, norms, institutions, traditions, religion, and cuisine.
 
The way someone is brought up, the environment they grow in, the norms and traditions they learn, the cuisine that they eat, the community they are surrounded with – all of that is culture.
 
An individual is molded by the culture that surrounds them.
 
Sophie Sene is a finance major from Nice, located in the south of France. There are beaches everywhere and nice weather, it is the capital of the French Riviera.
 
"[Sophie] is someone who is very kind, who listens every day, who gives a lot everyday too, she has a very positive attitude towards life, whatever comes her way, if she plays if she doesn't, if things go well, if they don't, we can always count on Sophie, she always gives"
 
What happens if someone were brought up in more than one culture? And what happens if you move to an entirely different culture later in life?
 
"My parents are of Senegalese origin, but I grew up in France, I still have quite a bit of Senegalese culture, but as I grew up, was educated and went to school in France, I identify with both cultures: Senegalese and French."
 
Belonging to both French and Senegalese cultures, what made Sene want to add another culture experience to the mix?
 
"If I'd stayed in France, I wouldn't have been able to study and play basketball at the same time because it's hard, there aren't enough infrastructures to allow you to succeed in both. So, when [Coach Amadou] told me about the project to be able to continue my studies and play basketball at the same time, I thought it could be cool."
 
Cultures are not always outwardly visible, the stories and history of the cultures that get handed down generation to generation isn't always well-known to others.
 
Religion is one aspect of culture that plays a large role in Sene's life. She identifies as a Muslim, rooting from the religion of Islam.
 
Islam to her is "a religion of peace, Muslims just want to practice their religion freely without being judged or forbidden to practice it… we must always help our neighbor."
 
She says Muslims have good humor, show continuous support and immense gratitude.
 
Growing up emersed in both French and Senegalese cultures, cuisine is extremely important, coming to the states, she brought a taste of home with her.
 
Her favorite Senegalese dish to eat is Yassa, a chicken or other meat dish with onions, and rice.
 
Her favorite French dish is crêpe, similar to American pancakes but thinner and more delicate. Crêpe can be filled with whatever, sweet or savory, making it extremely versatile.
 
Her favorite dish to cook is lasagne, nothing like the lasagna that is common in American culture. Sene says she brings a fresher, more flavorful spin to food for her American teammates to try. Her favorite French food to cook boeuf bourguignon, a beef stew braised with red wine, carrots, onions, and garlic.
 
Her favorite Senegalese dish to cook is Thieboudienne, a bold flavorful combination of fish, rice, and vegetables.
 
"She loves to prepare Senegalese food, but she prepares not just for her, she makes it for the entire team, she loves to make the plates and give them out, to the coaches and every one of the staff. … She does it because she loves to give and it's a side of her that touches others, it's a lot of work I know but she does it because she loves giving to others," said Associate Head Coach Adeniyi Amadou.
 
To Sene, Senegalese culture is "very welcoming, people are always in a good mood, [they are] grateful for what they have, it's a very good culture."
 
She recommends anyone looking to go on a vacation to check out Senegal.
 
Sophie Sene came to the United States in 2021, her first year was a redshirt year.
 
"I preferred to take a year to work on my game, to progress and I think it was a good year of discovery.
 
At first, [my parents] were a bit scared because the United States is far away, not very close to France, it's not like I was living in Nice and going to Paris to study, but then Coach reassured them and talked to them quite often during the year."
 
Family is something very important to Sene, she is family oriented. When Coach Adeniyi Amadou first met her and her family, it was important to him that they created a strong, respectful relationship.
 
"My parents had to come to France from their country, integrate, work hard to provide for us, I find that inspiring."
 
Having a French connection on the team and coaching staff has been advantageous when bringing international talent to Kingston.
 
Sene says being surrounded by French people keeps her connected to her French roots. The team has fostered a family in itself, as well as a second home and French family.
 
"The first time I arrived and there were French people around, it helped a lot because at least I wasn't disoriented, there was still a culture I knew, I didn't go straight into a place where there were only Americans."
 
Coming into a new culture, American culture, what was the hardest thing to adapt to?
 
Throughout every interview I have conducted, one answer connects them all.
 
American cuisine.
 
However, beyond the cuisine, they all have had their own experiences adapting to a new culture.
 
"I'd say that adapting was pretty quick because the people [in the U.S.] are very open-minded and welcoming."
 
Sene has grown as an individual on and off the court, socially and culturally. Before coming to URI, she had played previously with Inès Debroise and Hawa Komara. Her growth didn't stop when she got here, another experience and opportunity for growth began.
 
Culture is more than where someone comes from, it is a way of life, a community, a belief system. It is language, values, behaviors, stories, traditions, arts, cuisine, and so much more.

 
"It's an incredible example for me to see such a young person vow to the hard times and adversity, vow to the complexity of life, and to the world of sport, the way she has already," said Associate Head Coach Adeniyi Amadou.
 
"Always be grateful for what you've got, because in life nothing can be taken for granted."
"Some people will do you good today and tomorrow they can forget about it, but you must never forget the good you've been done."