Home... What is it? | Mariam Mekhail | TEDxYouth@Basel

Summary

In this reflective talk, Mariama Hyde, a 15-year-old from Egypt living in Basel, explores the concept of 'home.' She shares personal anecdotes about feeling torn between two cultures and questions whether home is a physical place, a feeling, or something else entirely. Through her experiences of moving houses and adjusting to a new environment, she concludes that home is a sense of belonging, peace, and cherished memories, not tied to any specific location. Mariama challenges the audience to think deeply about what 'home' means to them, urging them to consider not just where it is, but what it truly represents.

Takeaways

• 😀 Home is more than just a physical space; it holds a deeper meaning beyond its structure.
• 😀 The speaker, Mariama Hyde, is 15 years old, originally from Egypt, and has lived in Basel for 14 years.
• 😀 A personal experience growing up in Basel led Mariama to realize how her appearance (particularly her hair) prompted questions about her origins.
• 😀 The concept of home can be confusing, as the speaker originally thought home was tied to a specific place, like Egypt or Basel.
• 😀 At a young age, Mariama's innocent response to the question 'How often do you go home?' highlighted her understanding of home as a physical space.
• 😀 Over time, Mariama reflected on her personal experiences and began to understand that home could be in multiple places, like both Basel and Egypt.
• 😀 The speaker's move to a new house caused her to initially feel homesick and unsure about the concept of home.
• 😀 The feeling of 'home' is not fixed or physical but instead tied to emotions, such as peace, familiarity, and comfort.
• 😀 Creating a personalized space (like decorating a room) can help transform a physical house into a home, reinforcing that home is more about emotional connection than structure.
• 😀 Home is a unique and personal concept, defined by individual experiences, emotions, and memories rather than a particular location or physical space.
• 😀 The speaker encourages others to shift from asking 'Where is home?' to 'What is home?' in order to explore the deeper, more personal meaning of home.

Q & A

What is the main message Mariama is trying to convey in her speech?

Mariama emphasizes that 'home' is not necessarily a physical place but rather a feeling. She explores how home can be tied to memories, emotions, and a sense of belonging rather than being confined to a specific location or structure.

How does Mariama’s experience as an Egyptian living in Basel shape her understanding of home?

Mariama’s unique cultural background and her experiences living in Basel have led her to feel conflicted about where 'home' is. Her identity as an Egyptian living in Switzerland complicates the notion of home, as she navigates her connection to both countries.

What role does the concept of 'home' play in Mariama’s identity?

Home plays a central role in shaping Mariama’s identity, as it is intertwined with her cultural background, the places she has lived, and her emotional connections. Her sense of home is fluid and evolves based on where she feels most at peace and where she creates meaningful memories.

Why does Mariama feel conflicted between Basel and Egypt?

Mariama feels conflicted because she has roots in both Basel and Egypt, making her unsure about where home truly is. This feeling of having 'one foot' in each place stems from her dual cultural background and the complexity of balancing two identities.

How does Mariama’s perception of home change after moving houses in Basel?

After moving houses, Mariama initially feels homesick and misses her old home. Over time, however, she realizes that home is more about emotional attachment and the feeling of belonging, not just the physical space. Her new house eventually becomes home as she personalizes the space and makes it her own.

What is the significance of the anecdote about Mariama’s hair?

The anecdote about her hair highlights how others often perceive her as different, which ties into the broader theme of identity and belonging. It reflects how cultural differences can shape one's sense of home and how people from different backgrounds can feel out of place in unfamiliar settings.

What does Mariama suggest about the relationship between home and physical locations?

Mariama suggests that home is not necessarily tied to a specific physical location. While we may associate home with a country, city, or building, it is ultimately the feeling of peace, belonging, and connection that defines where home truly is.

What is the key takeaway from Mariama’s reflection on moving homes?

The key takeaway is that home is more about emotional connection and personal meaning than about the physical space itself. By filling her new room with items that reflect her personality, Mariama learns that home is where she feels most comfortable and at peace.

Why does Mariama suggest asking people what home means to them instead of where home is?

Mariama suggests this because 'home' is a deeply personal and subjective concept. It can mean different things to different people, and understanding what home means to someone offers more insight into their emotional world than simply asking where it is.

How does Mariama view the role of family, country, and activities in defining home?

Mariama believes that family, country, and activities all play a role in sparking the feeling of home. These elements can create a sense of belonging, but ultimately, home is defined by the individual and their unique experiences and perceptions.