What a difference a year can make.

If, on this day in 2020, you’d told me I’d be invited to speak on international podcasts, I just wouldn’t have believed you. But, I guess, that’s the power of finally taking the plunge to write online; of publicly serving up your thoughts, your experiences, for (a small part of) the world to read.

And so today, I bring you my third feature on a podcast.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record – particularly to those of you who have stuck around since day one (thank you) – the one question I’ll always struggle to answer is, of course, the perennial ‘where are you from?’

And, as it turns out, people aren’t (yet) tired of me attempting to unpack the complexity of identity, as I was lucky to be invited back on to the Bold, Brown, & British podcast to discuss the concept of being ‘from’ somewhere.

This time, host Quarina and I were joined by Maliha, a Bangladeshi citizen currently based in South Sudan. The three of us chat about the countries that have felt closest to ‘home’, the darker side of constantly uprooting and adapting, and the unique ability to spot an international school student an accent away.

Best of all, however, we discuss the role of food in shaping our identity.

I’m notorious for being a staunch supporter of (supposedly bland) British cuisine, so you can expect me to wax lyrical about shepherd’s pie and Yorkshire pudding, while Maliha and Quarina open up about their comfort food: a decidedly more flavourful array of Bangladeshi dishes.

And, as always, I find a way to sneak in my undying love for Mexico, for the special place it occupies – and will always occupy – in my heart.

If I’ve succeeded in piquing your interest (or if you’re simply in it for the hunger-inducing food talk), click the link below and have a listen.

Loyal to a different podcast platform? Head here for the handy Apple Podcasts and Stitcher links.

Happy listening!

Until next time,

S

We ask Maliha and Saloni the notorious question, where are you from, the concept of home, food as a concept of home and accents. As both being pupils at an international school, Saloni & Maliha share their experiences, wisdom and thoughts of navigating this complex concept of identity when you've resided in multiple countries.We discuss: Answering where are you from What do we identify as (British?

Not yet tired of my rambling and keen to check out a previous podcast interview? Listen in on my chat with Andile Nopapaza of the Push Start Podcast.


Cover image captured in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.

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