Where are you from? The question is posed hundreds of times; your answer changes often. When people ask where I was born, I say Ontario. But I feel like I am more “from” Vancouver, because I have lived here for most of my life. When my dad, who lived in Montreal until he was 25, is asked on his travels where he is from, does he say Vancouver, where he currently lives, or Montreal, where he was raised?
And then there is the question of race and heritage. How many times have we thought about the implied racism of asking people of Asian descent whether they are Korean or Chinese? How many articles highlight the strange phenomenon of white people in North America asking people of colour where they are “from”, when white people are of European, not North American, heritage? While I say that I am from Canada, my ethnic heritage is found in Eastern Europe, a part of the world I have never been.
Image source: Wikipedia
Chances are, if you are reading this article, your heritage is elsewhere. Why not travel to visit that area?
Many people already do visit their countries of origin, often to visit relatives. If you haven’t, I encourage you to give it a try. So why visit your country of origin?
Learn your own history. There is nothing like going to a museum in the nation where you originate. You can learn about regional history and your own cultural heritage.
Learn tradition. When you visit your country of origin, perhaps you already know about traditional foods and customs. You or your parents may remember these foods from their childhood. But there is also always the chance that you will learn something new. Perhaps if you already know what those foods are, take a traditional cooking class to learn how to prepare them yourself.
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A traditional food market in Chile. Image source: Wikipedia
Learn language. Language is one of the most important markers of a nationality and also one of the easiest to lose over the course of a generation. When you visit your nation of origin, try to immerse yourself in the language. If you have some language, try and use it and learn more. If you have absolutely none, try and take a class.
Having a conversation around traditional Croatian foods. Image source: Flickr
Whatever your heritage, we hope that you consider taking your next journey there, and immersing yourself in your origins. You have nothing to lose, and a whole lot of culture to gain!
