Diversity… I ? it, I live it and I need it! ?

I grew up in a small town in Northern France with only French white people, most of them catholics. All my family was living in Northern France, and we were going on holiday in France. There was nothing a priori that was pushing me towards diversity.

When I was approximately 9 years old, I asked my mom to teach me English. From a young age, I have always wanted to learn a new language to be able to communicate with other people. I asked her because I did not want to wait 2 more years to learn English at school. I was apparently attracted to ‘something else’ at a young age, not sure where that came from…

When I was 18 and I went studying, I started to have foreign friends. At the end of my studies I then left to go to Germany for a training period. After 3 months, I was offered a job. I accepted and never looked back. This was the beginning of my life as an expatriate.

Since then, diversity has been a part of me.

My husband is from Suriname; my brother lives in the UK.

Even before I joined Linkedin, I’ve had friends from all over the world.

Some of my best friends are gay.

I have always managed teams with people from different countries.

When I was working in a bank in Amsterdam, I was one of the youngest, one of the only foreigners & one of the only women.

I cannot imagine my life without diversity.

⭐️ We all have more things in common than differences.

⭐️ Everybody has something to offer, to teach others.