Menu

Life Perspectives

Untitled

How Multilingualism Shapes Your Mind and Life

Managing multiple languages can be rewarding. It boosts your cognitive abilities, enhances communication, but also offers unique challenges.

Being able to speak multiple languages is an incredible skill that opens doors to new cultures, relationships, and opportunities. It allows you to connect with people on a deeper level and experience the world in ways that a single language simply cannot offer. However, despite all its advantages, managing multiple languages comes with its own set of challenges.

Managing multiple languages effectively demands mental agility to navigate the complexities of vocabulary, grammar, and fluency across different linguistic systems. Words may escape you, leading to a search for the correct term in one language, even though it comes naturally in another.

The Trend of Polyglots

Polyglots are people who speak several languages fluently. This trend has generated a keen interest in language learning. Being multilingual is no longer just a unique skill; it’s increasingly seen as a valuable asset. Whether for travel, business, or personal enrichment, there’s a growing trend of individuals striving to master multiple languages. This has led to an increase in language learning programs and resources available to those who are interested in expanding their linguistic abilities.

Polyglots frequently hone their skills by immersing themselves, practicing consistently, and nurturing a profound love for learning languages. They aren’t just learning for the sake of knowledge, but also because they enjoy the challenge and the connection it brings with others. Famous polyglots like Luca Lampariello and Jo Franco regularly share their techniques and tips online, inspiring others to push their limits and expand their linguistic abilities.

The rise of social media and online learning platforms, such as Duolingo, Memrise, and Babbel, has significantly amplified the trend of language learning by offering convenient access to a wide range of language resources and interactive tools.

polygot

The Impact of Multilingualism on the Brain

Being multilingual can significantly boost cognitive abilities, improving memory and problem-solving skills. When you speak multiple languages, your brain works harder than when you’re using just one. Research has shown that multilingual individuals have enhanced cognitive flexibility, meaning their brains are better at adapting to new situations and tasks.

A captivating aspect of multilingualism is the practice of code-switching. This occurs when you switch between languages mid-conversation. While this might seem like an awkward or confusing process, your brain is actually working overtime to make the switch as seamless as possible. Code-switching happens for various reasons, such as finding it easier to express a word in one language or feeling that a specific language suits a cultural context better. The brain’s ability to juggle multiple languages this way is a testament to its adaptability and complexity.

Yet, managing multiple languages poses challenges despite the brain’s ability to handle them. Multilingual individuals may experience a phenomenon called language interference, where words or grammar rules from one language unintentionally spill over into another. For example, a French-English bilingual speaker might accidentally use a French sentence structure while speaking English. While these moments are normal and often amusing, they highlight how the brain works to manage different languages simultaneously.

An study was conducted by the University of York and the Basque Center on Cognition to determine which of the other languages spoken by trilinguals ‘interfered’ when they were speaking. Participants were asked to name pictures in their three languages, and it was found in the study that accidentally using their third language was more common than their first language.

Interestingly, multilingualism can delay cognitive decline. It has been found in studies that people who speak more than one language may have a lower risk of developing dementia later in life. The cognitive resilience stems from the ongoing mental exertion needed to handle multiple languages, which keeps the brain active and engaged. This can lead to improved problem-solving skills and better memory retention.

The Ups and Downs of Being Multilingual

Multilingualism is a remarkable skill that enriches your life in countless ways, yet it also presents challenges.

Benefits of being multilingual

  • Improved Communication: Speaking multiple languages opens doors to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds, fostering deeper connections and understanding. Whether travelling or working in international settings, it’s a skill that builds bridges.

  • Career Opportunities: Multilingualism is a major asset in the job market. Companies value employees who can communicate with diverse clients and partners, making your skills a standout feature.

  • Cognitive Benefits: Beyond the brain boost we’ve already touched on, speaking multiple languages sharpens memory, improves multitasking, and enhances creativity.

The Cons

  • Mental Fatigue: Switching between languages can be tiring, especially in high-pressure situations. Constantly adjusting your thoughts and speech between languages requires mental effort.

  • Language Attrition: The phrase “use it or lose it” rings true for languages. Without regular practice, fluency in languages can diminish over time, making it challenging to sustain proficiency in multiple languages.

  • Identity Struggles: Speaking different languages often comes with cultural expectations. Juggling these expectations can feel like a tug-of-war, particularly when you are more at ease in one language but are required to use another.

While it can be challenging to maintain multiple languages, the rewards, such as improved memory, new opportunities, and cultural enrichment, make it a journey worth taking.

unpacking

Starting Over Again: How to Rebuild After Moving Frequently

Relocating can be challenging for your heart and mind. Here’s how to handle the emotional toll, stay grounded, and embrace the next chapter with resilience.

Starting over. Again. It’s a phrase that’s both hopeful and exhausting. 

When I was growing up, we moved every four years because of my parents’ jobs. Each move came with a mixture of excitement and dread—new countries, new cultures, new faces. I learnt to pack efficiently, make quick friends, and adapt to unfamiliar surroundings.

As an adult, I’ve continued the cycle. Sometimes by choice, sometimes by habit, and sometimes because life had other plans. Moving has become second nature, but the emotional toll? That never quite goes away. Starting over isn’t just a logistical challenge; it’s an emotional one, too.

Whether by choice or circumstance, the cycle of rebuilding can be challenging for those of us who move often. Each new beginning brings exciting opportunities, but it also means leaving behind people, places, and routines that made you feel grounded.

So, why is it so hard? And how can you rebuild without losing yourself in the process?

Why Starting Over Can Be So Draining

When you move, you’re not just switching locations; you’re uprooting an entire life. Even if you’ve done it before, it’s never easy.

  • The effort to reconnect: It takes time to make new friends and find your place in a community, and constantly starting over can be overwhelming.
  • The Missing Pieces: Every place holds memories and people who’ve shaped you. Moving means accepting that some things won’t follow you into the next chapter.
  • Identity Shifts: Each move requires you to adapt to new environments, sometimes reshaping parts of yourself to fit in or feel at home.

Finding Your Footing: How to Rebuild

Rebuilding doesn’t have to feel like a complete start. These steps can help you create a sense of belonging and stability in your new environment:

  1. Bring a Sense of Home with You
    You can’t pack an entire life in a suitcase, but you can carry little things that make a place feel yours. Pack meaningful items that make any new place feel like yours. A favourite blanket, family photos, or even the scent of your go-to candle can go a long way in making a space feel like home.
  2. Stick to Familiar Routines
    Routines are your secret weapon. Even if everything around you is new, small habits, like brewing coffee in the morning or going for an evening walk can help you feel grounded.
  3. Be Intentional About Friendships
    Making new friends is tough, but don’t pressure yourself. Start with small, consistent interactions like joining a local group, attending meetups, or simply chatting with neighbors. The right connections will come with time.
  4. Give Yourself Time to Grieve
    It’s okay to feel sad about what you’ve left behind. Acknowledge the loss and let yourself process it instead of pushing it aside. This emotional honesty can help you move forward with a clearer heart.
  5. Reframe the Narrative
    Instead of seeing each move as a loss, try viewing it as an opportunity to rediscover yourself. What have you always wanted to try? What part of yourself can you expand in this new chapter? Use each move as a clean slate to grow.
An image of someone adding personal items (e.g., family photos, books, plants) to a new space.

Caring for Your Mental Health

For some, moving frequently is a choice, a love for exploring new places and meeting new people. For others, it’s just part of life, dictated by work or circumstances outside of their control. Regardless of the cause, the constant uprooting of your life has a significant impact. While there’s a unique joy in discovering new places and meeting new people, the emotional challenges of leaving behind what you’ve built can’t be ignored.

Here’s how to stay mentally and emotionally strong:

Stay Connected

Your relationships don’t have to end with the move. Virtual check-ins, video calls, or even a quick message can help you stay close to people who matter.

Be Gentle with Yourself

Adjusting to a new life takes time. It’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out right away; nobody does.

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help

If the weight of change feels too heavy, talking to a therapist can help you process the challenges and find strategies to cope.

an image showing Digital Connections like a phone call wiht people icons around

Finding the Silver Lining

Every move teaches you something new. You’ve become adaptable, resourceful, and resilient in ways others might not understand. You’ve acquired the ability to navigate unfamiliar territory, establish new connections, and discover the beauty in change.

But there’s more to it than just survival; there’s growth. Moving gives you the chance to rediscover yourself, embrace new cultures, and discover passions you never knew you had. Think of each move as adding another chapter to your story. Yes, some chapters are harder than others, but they all shape the person you’re becoming!

You’re Stronger Than You Think

Regardless of the number of restarts you’ve experienced, you’ve demonstrated your ability to adapt, rebuild, and thrive. Each chapter of your life has its own challenges and joys, and the sum of them all is a story worth telling.

With every move, you carry the most important thing, yourself. And that’s more than enough to create something beautiful, wherever you land next.

globe-connected

How to Build Cultural Intelligence in an Interconnected World

Embrace diversity and connect across cultures with respect and awareness.

Building cultural intelligence (CQ) is now more important than ever. It’s the ability to understand, respect, and adapt to different cultural contexts. It means recognising the complexity and diversity of cultures and using this knowledge to improve our interactions and experiences.

Having grown up with a variety of cultural influences, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply culture shapes our experiences, worldviews, and relationships. In my travels and everyday interactions, I’ve come across many people who seem to live in their own bubbles, often with limited awareness of how diverse and interconnected the world is. One common experience is when people ask about my cultural background, only to continue pressing me with questions like, “No, but where are you really from?” after I’ve given my answer. It can feel like they’ve already decided in their minds how I should look or act. It’s a subtle form of cultural ignorance, but it’s also a reminder of how important cultural intelligence is.

What is Cultural Intelligence?

The term Cultural intelligence (CQ), describes our capacity to interact with and adjust to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Understanding the underlying beliefs, customs, and views that make up a culture is far more significant than simply knowing a few facts about other countries. Respect is an part of cultural intelligence. Respecting different cultures is a good place to start, but CQ is much more than that. It calls for openness, curiosity, and a readiness to interact with and learn from those who think or live differently than we do.

Try looking at cultural differences as opportunities for interaction rather than as barriers. This process of learning and adapting isn’t just valuable in personal relationships; it’s great for success in the workplace and for for expanding our horizons.

A photo of someone learning a new language or reading a book about different cultures. (2)

How to Build Your Cultural Intelligence

  1. Stay Curious, Don’t Assume
    When you meet someone from a different culture, ask questions—not with the intent to pass judgement or label them, but out of genuine curiosity. For instance, when someone asks me about my culture, I enjoy explaining my traditions, holidays, and life experiences. It’s encouraging to know that people want to use these conversations to grow and learn. On the flip side, when someone makes assumptions about where I’m from, it creates a barrier. So, always keep in mind: never assume. Take the time to ask, listen, and understand before forming judgments.

  2. Educate Yourself
    One of the most effective ways to improve cultural intelligence is through education. Learn about different cultures, their history, traditions, and values. This doesn’t mean simply relying on stereotypical media portrayals, but going deeper—reading books, watching documentaries, or engaging with people from various backgrounds. It’s through this kind of learning that we begin to see cultures not as “others,” but as rich, intricate, and beautiful parts of our shared human experience.

  3. Reflect on Your Own Cultural Identity
    Cultural intelligence isn’t just about learning about others; it’s also about understanding your own cultural background. Reflecting on your own identity and how it shapes your values, assumptions, and behaviours can help you see the world more clearly. You’ll start to recognise when your own cultural lens is influencing your perceptions and interactions with others.

  4. Be Open to New Perspectives
    In the workplace or in social settings, your ability to understand and connect with people from different cultures will be a huge asset. By embracing new perspectives, you can approach challenges and solutions more creatively. People with cultural intelligence tend to be more adaptable, collaborative, and empathetic—qualities that are essential for personal and professional growth.

A group of friends from diverse backgrounds, sharing a moment together.

Respecting Cultures: A Matter of Diplomacy

One area where cultural respect often gets overlooked is during travel. While it’s natural to want to capture memories and share experiences, taking photos of people without asking for permission is intrusive. In some cultures, this may be seen as a violation of privacy, and it can leave people feeling objectified. I’ve personally had the experience of being photographed by tourists without my consent, and it’s uncomfortable. I’ve also noticed tourists treating people from less-developed areas as if they were on display for entertainment. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of cultural diplomacy.

When visiting other countries, it’s important to treat people with dignity and respect. Always ask for permission before taking photographs, and avoid treating local people as “attractions” to be observed. Remember, we’re all human, regardless of where we come from, and we all deserve to be treated with empathy.

Why It Matters

Building cultural intelligence is about more than just avoiding misunderstandings; it’s about enriching your life and your relationships. We discover more about ourselves and are more aware of the world’s stunning diversity the more we interact with people from other cultures. When we approach others with respect and curiosity, we open ourselves up to a greater understanding of what it means to be human.

At the end of the day, we all share this earth, and the more we learn from one another, the more connected we become. Cultural intelligence isn’t just a useful skill for our professional lives, it plays a key role in our growth as individuals and as global citizens. Our lives will be more richer and fulfilling the more we embrace this.

Minimalist art of two overlapping shapes or colors symbolizing duality.

Who Are We, Really? Exploring Identity Across Cultures

Do we change who we are depending on where we are? A personal look at how culture influences our sense of self.

Growing up influenced by two distinct cultures, I learned early on that who I am can feel fluid depending on where I am and who I’m with. At home, I saw the blending of two cultural worlds that shaped everything — language, traditions, even the way we interacted with each other.

But something else started to become clear: while these cultures shaped me, they rarely merged seamlessly. I found myself naturally forming friendships in “groups” that represented one or the other. With some friends, I leaned into one part of my identity; with others, I leaned into the other. It wasn’t forced — it was comfortable. And yet, I noticed a quiet distance. As if an unspoken rule meant I couldn’t combine these two sides of myself.

This didn’t stop at home. When I traveled to countries with similar cultural influences, I shifted again. My accent, the way I carried myself, even the jokes I made felt tailored to the culture I was surrounded by. I felt genuinely myself in each setting, but I also couldn’t shake the feeling that I was leaving part of myself behind every time I adapted.

Are We Shaped by Our Environment?

For anyone who’s experienced life across cultures, this push-and-pull might feel familiar. Cultural adaptation feels natural — sometimes even automatic. But where does adapting end and losing yourself begin?

Shifting identity can feel like a survival tool, especially for those of us who’ve grown up navigating different cultural worlds. It helps us belong, make connections, and find common ground. But it also makes you wonder: does the version of me that fits into this space still represent who I truly am?

A mirror with fragmented reflections to symbolize shifting identities.

It’s Not About Choosing Sides

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that these shifts don’t mean we’re abandoning parts of ourselves. Instead, they show how complex identity can be. We’re not meant to be one thing all the time.

The truth is, our environments shape us, but we also shape them. Each space brings out a part of who we are — a part that’s always been there but feels most comfortable coming to the surface in that moment. While it’s okay to embrace different parts of yourself in different settings, it’s just as important to honour the whole of who you are when you step back and reflect.

A Shared Experience

This isn’t just my story — it’s a shared experience for anyone who’s grown up in or around multiple cultures. Maybe you’ve felt the same way moving from one friend group to another, traveling, or even navigating different social spaces at work.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “too much of one thing” or “not enough of another,” know that you’re not alone. The beauty of living across cultures is that you don’t have to choose. You’re a reflection of the spaces you’ve been in — and that’s not a limitation; it’s a strength.

Untitled (3)

Growing Up Across Cultures vs. Visiting Them as Adults

How a nomadic childhood shapes us differently than adult travel and cultural exploration.

Roots or wings? 

For me, the phrase “roots and wings” represents the balance between having a deep sense of connection to where we come from (our roots) while also embracing the freedom to explore and grow (our wings). For some of us, the home and culture we were exposed to as children shaped our roots, while the experiences we pursue as adults form our wings. But what happens when those roots are planted in more than one spot?

Growing up in different cultures isn’t just an experience; it’s something that becomes a part of you. We’re called Third Culture Kids (TCK). The traditions, the languages—they don’t just fade away when you leave. They’re engraved, shaping how you see the world and how you carry yourself. Visiting a new culture as an adult, on the other hand, is fleeting. It’s enriching and enjoyable, yes, but it’s often just a moment—a chapter, not the whole book.

As a child, moving between countries means figuring out who you are while the world around you keeps shifting. Your sense of identity doesn’t have a fixed starting point; instead, it blends and evolves with each new place. You might find pieces of yourself in every culture you’ve lived in, making your identity something fluid and layered.

By adulthood, though, identity is more stable. Most adults already have a strong sense of self, and cultural experiences tend to build on that identity rather than change it. For instance, when adults immerse themselves in a new culture, they often have a clear feeling of “home” to anchor them. Even if they’re exploring far-off places, they can usually point to one location that feels like where they belong.

How Growing Up TCK Shapes You Differently

For those of us who grew up in different cultural contexts, adaptability becomes second nature. Being the “new kid” time and time again forces you to pick up on social cues, adjust to different customs, and adapt to new languages—quickly and intuitively. It’s not something you think about; it just happens.

Adults who explore new cultures might be curious and eager to immerse themselves, but they’re often visitors. They bring their own concept of home with them and interpret their new surroundings from that perspective. As a third-culture kid, there’s no single “home base” guiding you. You learn to make home wherever you are, turning it into a concept rather than a place.

A picture of a suitcase next to a map, or someone looking out the window of an airplane, reflecting the idea of traveling or being far from home.

What This Means for Both Journeys

Both experiences offer a unique perspective, regardless of whether you were raised exploring many cultures or you decided to do so later in life. Those with a third-culture upbringing often have an appreciation for diversity ingrained into who they are. They see things from multiple perspectives and have a natural curiosity about other lifestyles.

For travelling adults, stepping into a new culture can feel like stepping into a new pair of shoes—an adjustment, but one you choose. It might not reshape your sense of self, but it can strengthen it and offer new views you carry back with you.

Finding the Balance Between Roots and Wings

For some, growing up in a multicultural environment feels like being handed wings without knowing where to land. For others, travelling later in life feels like a way to stretch those wings. Neither is better or worse—they’re just different paths to understanding ourselves and the world around us.

Maybe that’s the beauty of it. Whether we’re born into it or seek it out, connecting with other cultures is a reminder of how much there is to learn—and how much we carry with us wherever we go.