Last year, while reading the presidential perspective of the President of the American
University of Beirut (AUB), my alma mater, I was struck by a profound reflection on the
mystery of belonging. In his article, he shared stories from his journeys across the world—
solidifying partnerships and raising funds for the university’s growth. Yet, beyond these
professional endeavors, he delved into something much deeper: the evolving nature of belonging.
“Belonging is a strange business, especially when you are young. None of us truly know
where we will end up, much less where we are best fit.”
This resonated deeply with me. Having lived and studied in two countries outside my
country of origin and traveled to two more for conferences and research presentations, I
have wrestled with this same question—where do I truly belong?
Surprisingly, I have found that I do not entirely feel a sense of belonging to my country of
origin, nor do I fully belong to the countries I have visited. Why? Because experiencing the
world through different lenses changes you. It challenges your ideas of right and wrong,
normal and abnormal. It fosters empathy, allowing you to see life from perspectives you
never considered before.
Belonging is more than just nationality or location—it is about shared values, experiences,
and responsibilities. You begin to appreciate the strengths of different cultures while
yearning to bring the best of each to the places you call home.
Yet, one undeniable truth remains: privileges and opportunities often belong to those who
are considered “insiders.” This reality shapes everything from access to resources to the
ability to effect change.
The AUB President concluded his piece with words that perfectly encapsulate this paradox:
“Despite an increasingly divisive world where senses of ownership or belonging have
acquired a dangerously partisan impetus, I feel a strong sense of ownership of both
Lebanon and the United States, but more broadly, a sense of duty to mankind.”
And perhaps, in the end, that is the highest form of belonging—not to a place, but to
humanity itself.
By Philip Adebayo
We belong to where we have friends, family, peace, and prosperity
Good insight. Thanks for sharing.
Living in Lagos makes it tricky to find a casino that processes transfers locally but this one nailed it. I appreciate how fast they handle payouts and the customer care team is always available even during peak hours. The sportsbook section has great odds and the casino games have low house edges compared to other sites I tested. If you want a trustworthy platform that actually delivers on its promises, give ngsopotbet a chance.
Been rolling the reels here for a few weeks now and the vibes are just right. Quick payouts and gorgeous game graphics make it my daily escape. Thanks to the support crew for keeping things friendly and secure. 777slotsapp
The interface feels so modern and I love how fast the transactions go here. Every spin counts and the live chat operator helped me unlock my rewards in no time. Definitely my go to place for weekend fun and I keep coming back for the steady wins. metaspinscasino
Really impressed with the graphics and the overall feel of the site. It feels very premium and secure. You should visit ph311jilipark.
The game variety is just insane and the interface is super easy to navigate. Really enjoying the vibes here. Highly recommend phjilico to everyone!
The variety of games available here is impressive. I spent the whole weekend exploring different tables and everything works perfectly. Highly recommended for PH players. Explore phjili98
Finally found a site that does not crash during peak hours. The loading time on phss7777 is impressively fast.
I have tried quite a few gaming platforms over the years and this one stands out for its reliability. The layout is intuitive and I never feel lost when browsing through the options. Payments go through smoothly and I always feel safe playing here. A solid choice for weekend fun. 777tdgame