Recipe of nationality

I have always considered myself a little bit of an oddity when it comes to my nationality.

Sure, with both of my parents originating from Finland I could claim to be Finnish. However, as I grew up in Canada, I could claim to be Canadian. Moreover, with the past seven years of my life spent on several continents, what nationality should I consider myself now?

Growing up and living in Canada, in an area built by recently-arrived immigrants, has shaped my basic values and characteristics. An appreciation of and yearning for different people and places has led me to visit many places in Canada: Baffin Island, the Atlantic coast, the multicultural cities, the awesome central plains, the Rockies and the rainforests of BC's coast. The diverse society and geography of Canada have influenced me a great deal.

For the past five years I have been living in Finland. Here, too, I have been influenced in so many ways. I have identified more closely with my ethnic background and checked out the many faces of Finland.

Living in other countries and continents has affected me as well. The world offers views of absolute poverty and unbounded affluence, conflict and peace, an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, and a richness of peoples and cultures.

Aspects from all of these have made their mark on my own views and identity. If I had to tell somebody about my nationality, I guess I would give the following recipe: several parts varied Canadian, a couple of parts Finnish, liberally seasoned with spices from other countries and continents. The best part is that I am constantly enriching my recipe of nationality.

By Michael Korhonen