Being uprooted at an early age to start my migration journey, which has included three continents at least, the experience has freed me from the stereotype that societies often impose on migrants and their communities.

I take pride in the places that shaped me as a person and as such, I often find myself telling the younger generation to be proud of their ethnic names. That there is nothing to apologise about one’s culture and that we should all celebrate our diversity.

The many colours and sounds of the places that I lived and grew up in have also reinforced in me the love for nature and the planet. Although I call Canberra home, I am acutely aware of the dire environmental situations of many places where I have left pieces of my heart.

From that perspective, being a migrant has turned me into a conscientious global citizen who strongly believes that we can all do our bit to leave the world a better place than the one we found.