Belonging is usually defined as being part of something — a group, a category, a collective you’re meant to fit into. But what happens when you don’t fully belong to any group? When shared nationality doesn’t create closeness, when language doesn’t guarantee familiarity, or when cultural stereotypes don’t hold you?
In ACCESS Stories this month, Sarai Velez Ramirez reflects on her experience of growing up between cultures and how living abroad can reshape the meaning of “home”. While moving through international communities in the Netherlands, she realised that shared nationality or language does not always create the sense of belonging we expect. Unexpectedly, she found a deeper connection with the Indian community, which helped her understand how identity, culture and home can evolve over time.
With insight and wisdom she came to discover that…
“Today, I live in the Netherlands.
My heart lives in India.
And I am Mexican.
None of these cancel each other out. Together, they make me whole.”
Read the full story here:
https://access-nl.org/features/finding-myself-through-cultures/
ACCESS is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation that has supported the international community in the Netherlands since 1986. English-speaking volunteers provide free, independent information and guidance on living, working and settling in the Netherlands, via a helpdesk, email support and partnerships across the country.
Published in partnership with ACCESS. Image: Courtesy of Sarai Velez Ramirez.