Melanie Kirwa: Parenting, Identity & Finding Home Between Cultures

Описание: What does it take to belong when you live between cultures?
In this heartfelt and thoughtful conversation, I sit down with Melanie Kirwa, a Canadian professor of communication and cultural diversity living and working in Finland. Her journey—from Brazilian boardrooms to Finnish classrooms—is a testament to resilience, adaptation, and cultural fluency.
🌍 We dive into what it means to raise kids, build a career, and teach across cultures—while staying true to your roots and identity. Melanie opens up about her experiences in immigration, parenting, education, and the quiet battles of being an outsider in a society defined by silence and humility.
🧠 What we explore:
• Why cold climates produce similar cultural traits
• The gender dynamics inside multicultural classrooms
• How language learning shapes emotional development
• Why excellence in kids shouldn’t be optional
• The silent cost of excessive humility in innovation
• How to raise resilient, multilingual children
• Stories of systemic bias and cultural growth
This is a powerful episode for immigrant parents, educators, and anyone trying to build a life across cultures

MORE VIDEOS TO WATCH:    • The Collective Project Podcast  

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  / melanie-kirwa-aa246035  

Chapters

00:00 Journey from Canada to Finland
03:36 Transitioning to Life in Finland
08:37 Building a Life and Career in Finland
13:45 Cultural Reflections and Identity
19:37 Navigating Discrimination and Stereotypes
25:40 Celebrating Cultural Diversity
31:27 Love Across Borders: A Personal Story
39:24 Multilingual Families: A Rich Tapestry of Languages
46:32 Cultural Dynamics in Education: Navigating Gender and Communication
57:00 Empowering Voices: Bridging Cultural Gaps in the Classroom
01:16:05 The Frustration of Untapped Potential
01:17:46 Parenting Philosophy: Encouraging Effort Over Perfection
01:20:11 The Importance of Extracurricular Activities
01:22:59 Learning Through Team Sports
01:25:23 Parenting Strategies for Success
01:30:09 Raising Resilient and Empathetic Children
01:38:03 The Art of Listening in Communication
01:41:41 Improving Communication Skills
01:45:18 Innovation and Selling Finland's Potential



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  / daniel-laurean-25b50085  
https://www.daniellaurean.com

#culturalidentity #raisingkidsabroad #immigrantstories #finlandeducation #collectiveprojectpodcast