Home and Homeland

Every visit to Palestine felt like coming home - and yet, I never fully belonged there. Returning to Norway was just as emotional. I’ve always lived in the space between, carrying the ache of two homes that never completely fit, but that have both shaped me in ways I can’t untangle.

I was born and raised in Norway, surrounded by its language, culture, and weathered coastlines. But my family roots stretch deep into Palestinian soil. That history wasn’t distant - it pulsed through my childhood. While my friends in Bergen were focused on school, fashion, and friendships, I was also absorbing my Palestinian roots, including the illegal occupation and personal stories coming from Palestine.

When the Second Intifada broke out, I was just 12 years old. I remember sitting with my family, glued to the news, calling relatives to make sure they were safe. The grief and anger didn’t stop at the TV screen - it reached right into our living room, into my heart. It shaped how I saw justice, safety, and the fragility of peace.

At school, no one else seemed to carry this dual awareness. I was navigating teenage life, just like them - but I was also interpreting global headlines with a deeply personal lens. That contrast marked me. It still does.

My father taught me early on that being politically engaged isn’t just about your street or your city. It’s about your values. He reminded me that foreign policy matters. That who we vote for here can affect what happens elsewhere. That lesson never left me. It’s part of why I care so deeply about global citizenship - not just as a concept, but as a lived responsibility.

And yet, for all my connection to Palestine, I’ve never felt entirely at home there either. However, I’ve stopped trying to choose one over the other. I live in the blend. The space between. It’s uncomfortable at times, but it’s also powerful.

Takeaway💡:
The personal is global. What happens in places tied to our ancestry or identity shapes who we are - whether we live there or not. Stay engaged. Read the news. Ask questions. Vote with intention. Our voices, no matter where we are, have the power to ripple across borders.

As someone who’s cross-cultural myself, I created this free guide to help you navigate and connect your cultural identities. Inside, you’ll find my top 5 strategies to support you on that journey.