Heidi Ahonen Ph.D. from Canada
I was born in Finland (the country in northern Europe famous for cell phones). Now I live in Canada (the country in North America famous for maple syrup). When I present at international conferences, people can read on my name tag that I am Heidi Ahonen from Canada. Yet, do I feel Canadian—where is the Finn in me?
Even though it may not be the most creative way to solve an identity crisis, I introduce myself as a Finnish-Canadian. We can travel to the other side of the world, move our furniture in a container, build a new life, and yet, part of us will always be the same—but yet not the same. Just as my experiences in these two northern countries have changed my identity for good, we all form our identity in our first group experience, and then our next group experiences will change that identity. "