When defining cultural heritage, it is critical to account for the differences in meaning on a person-to-person basis. In the academic system, all students are held to the same standard but have endured a variety of distinct cultural experiences due to their family background.

The definition of cultural heritage that is conveyed to the reader through the passage, “What is cultural heritage?” by Elena Franchi, is one’s connection to the timeline of their respective community. A first-generation college student in the United States who is immersed in American culture can often lose sight of where their family has come from and what exactly their respective culture is. This exact point is why there is an increasing importance for recognizing one’s cultural heritage because it functions as a tie to the individuals who have come before them, the same people enabling them to go to college in this new country.

In Franchi’s section about the protection of cultural heritage, she mentions the selection process of what a society chooses what to preserve about their culture and what to let go. This question of “what is worthy of being preserved for future generations and what is not,” is a constant struggle for many first-generation students because these ideals may not have been incorporated into their lives causing a disconnect from cultural heritage. Building on Franchi’s point of protecting cultural heritage, the idea expressed to the reader is that to identify with a certain society/group, you have a responsibility to protect and share that culture so that it does not stop with this generation. Culture can only be tangible and recognized if it is shared with the community, and when individuals fail to acknowledge this responsibility, heritage is lost.

The article aims to bring awareness to the importance of recognizing cultural heritage, and its utmost importance to continue to pass down what was given by the parents of this generation. There is also a respect piece that Franchi mentions when culture is learned and comprehended by all types of individuals in a community. An era of “globalization” that Franchi alludes to, draws the conclusion that due to technological advancements and increased connectedness of individuals around the world, students must continue to not only be proactive and learn their own culture, but also the cultural heritage of their peers.

Ultimately, cultural heritage can be defined as one’s responsibility to preserve the legacy of their forefathers. Furthermore, it is having the ability to step out of their own shoes, and humbly peer into the stories of others to procure a more well-rounded world view.