Through countries and cultures, I embraced new experiences that shaped my identity. Reflecting on the past three decades, the privilege of having access to good (language) education and the freedom to live abroad humbles me.
Alternative ways of self-expression have always interested me: while art remains a hobby for now, languages allowed me to explore opportunities from education to work experience across borders.
Long Life Story Short: from Budapest to Glasgow, then to London and later Frankfurt, back to Budapest again, only to end up in Helsinki.
Growing up in Eastern Europe’s ’90s and early ’00s with a multiethnic background, I quickly understood that speaking languages was the gateway to connecting with a culture. From using certain words in another language to having a pen pal from Singapore, language skills brought me closer to different worlds.
In school, I learned Russian alongside English. Later, I picked up Spanish and Portuguese. Despite excelling in Spanish, I chose to study in Scotland. University life there exposed me to diversity and a melting pot of cultures, fostering connections that ignored borders. After graduation, my multilingualism opened doors in London, where I kick-started my career. Eventually, I returned to the old continent, spending time in Frankfurt and a brief stint back home in Budapest, seeing it through a whole new lens the second time around.
It is inevitable to wonder which culture I identify with the most. Where are my friends from? How do I best express myself: in my relationships, in therapy, or at the workplace? Which language do I think in? The answer is not black and white. People and their status change, their personality evolves, so sometimes one culture can feel closer than another. Regardless of the geographical location, it is about adapting and staying open-minded.
Navigating diverse cultures and social norms, I grappled with questions about identity and belonging. Every move presented challenges, from dealing with bureaucracy to adjusting my ear to a new language (not me humbled by the Glaswegian accent) and finding a sense of community in a new city. Upon my return to Hungary, I quickly realised that I was not the same person: our values no longer aligned. I had to relearn and readjust because even Budapest, my hometown, could feel simultaneously familiar and new.
The key takeaway is to take away something from each experience.
Nevertheless, each place also left its mark on me, shaping my perceptions, preferences, and values. I notice that, for example, those UK years have influenced my expectations around customer service or workplace culture to this day. I appreciate British fashion, a good fry-up or dry Riesling from Rheinhessen. On a more serious note, I recognised that at least understanding the local languages let me experience the essence of the local culture and feel closer to the community. In conversations peppered with “wee” and “aye,” I discovered that language is not just a tool for communication; it’s a window into culture, identity, and thought.
Three things that helped were:
- Accepting that each journey is unique and with it, every experience is personal and valid.
- Actively curating language skills and cultural knowledge is essential for staying engaged and connected.
- The easiest way to learn a new language or adapt to a new place is to appreciate at least one thing in each culture, aligning it with interests and passions.
For me, pursuing knowledge and personal growth is a lifelong endeavour. I know I will not stop here, and the fact that I have moved around internationally multiple times, especially as someone with neurodiversity, is reassuring me that I can do it all over again. I have greater self-awareness, developed resilience and learned to navigate the world with curiosity and empathy. With each new language, I gained a new perspective—a new lens through which to view the world.
Photo 1 by Lāsma Artmane on Unsplash
Photo 2 by Tom Parsons on Unsplash
