Where it Started: Growing Up in Saudi Arabia

Safar has been years in the making.

The seeds for this website were planted as early as 2005, when my dad gave me my first diary from the store Claire’s for Christmas. That night I began writing down my most-guarded secrets, wildest ideas, and future plans. Then as time passed, I became more interested in examining my life within the local and global contexts in which I lived. So I started studying history, and political science (I even dabbled in some geology) at university.

The longer I spent studying and working in the United States, the more I became aware that I inexplicably felt out-of-place. Why? Because I had moved around my entire life, and spent the formative part of my pre-teen and teenage years in Saudi Arabia. Including that Christmas my dad gave me my first diary.

It wasn’t until I learned the term Third-Culture-Kid (TCK) late into my junior year at Virginia Tech, that I finally realized — I’m not crazy!

There was a reason I felt like I didn’t quite belong.

From that point on, I’ve been fascinated by other TCKs and their stories. Bonding over our mutual hatred of the mischievously benign question, “Where are you from?” I’ve interviewed dozens of TCKs (and Third-Culture-Adults) about their lives, experiences, and sought their advice for “finding normality.”

So here we are in 2016, and after a largely failed attempt at a very-confused blog called “What’s your story expat?” I started a few years ago on Blogger (which now rests in the vast digital cemetery of forgotten blogs), I’ve decided to try again. This time with more support, focus, and vision. As well as better writing and wee-bit more maturity.

All that’s left for me to say is Thank You to everyone who encouraged me following the publication of my article, “What it’s like to grow up as TCK in Saudi Arabia” with The Plaid Zebra, (and for the last few years) to start a website like this one and to just ‘go for it.’ You’ve inspired me with your comments, stories, emotions, and faith.

My aim in return is to inspire you, entertain you, teach you, learn from you, help you, connect with you and most of all, let you know that you’re not alone in your search for a home, for positivity, and for normality. The world is full of stories and journeys. Let’s explore them.

Just remember,