The Story of Rezan (27)

I am born and raised in Saudi Arabia, but my roots stretch beyond its borders. My mother is Yemeni, my father Eritrean, and I grew up balancing different cultures, languages, and traditions. I never really felt like I belonged anywhere—not fully. As a child, I didn’t question it. I spoke Arabic like everyone else, dressed the same, went to the same places. But one day, in fourth grade, a classmate told me, “This place is Saudi, and I am Saudi. You are not.” I remember going home, and asking my mother, “Where am I from then?”That question stayed with me for years.

It was a hard truth to face. No matter how much I felt at home in Saudi, I wasn’t truly accepted. I had no rights, no future there. I was different, and different didn’t belong. But instead of letting that break me, I let it push me forward. At 14, I started dreaming of a life somewhere else. A place where I could build a future. A place where I could be free.

“This place is Saudi, and I am Saudi. You are not.” I remember going home, and asking my mother, “Where am I from then?”That question stayed with me for years.

Now I am here, in the Netherlands, and for the first time, I feel like there is a possibility. Back in Saudi, I had no options. Now, I do.

I want to study, to become a dentist, to live as an independent woman. Be an independent woman. I don’t know exactly what the next years will bring, but I know I’m moving forward. You really have to go through the worst, in order to see the beauty.

I’ve learned that cultures shape us in ways we don’t always notice. Growing up, I saw how respect for elders was deeply ingrained in my family’s traditions. In my culture, you would never let an older person stand while you sat. You would never speak over them or ignore their wisdom. Here, I was shocked to see a child refuse to give up their seat for an elderly man.

In the Netherlands, people value independence, but sometimes, I think they forget honouring those who came before us.

At the same time, I’ve come to appreciate what the Netherlands has to offer. Here, people are open. They accept differences. They don’t judge as easily. In Saudi, you had to fit into a mould. Here, you can just be. That is something I am grateful for every single day. I don’t define myself by borders. I don’t let labels limit me. I am not Saudi, or Yemeni, or Eritrean—I am just me. 

Here, you can just be. That is something I am grateful for every single day. I don’t define myself by borders. I don’t let labels limit me. I am not Saudi, or Yemeni, or Eritrean—I am just me.