# The Power of the In-Between: Finding Home Across Culture | Maréva Koulamallah | TEDxGIIS Dubai Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zifDzgTQgO0 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/zifDzgTQgO0 Generated: 2025-11-11T22:12:39.531+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Mareva Koulamallah argues that embracing the "in-between" state of cultural identity—being raised in Chad and Africa, studying in the US and Europe, and working in Dubai—is essential for finding one's authentic voice and home across cultures, emphasizing that this complex identity is a strength, not a weakness, that opens doors and fosters cross-cultural respect. **Key Points:** - Koulamallah defines her identity as being the product of a multicultural, multilingual, multi-religious family, born in Chad, Africa, and educated across France, the US, and Germany. - She experienced internal conflict struggling to answer the question, "Where are you really from?", leading her to feel stuck between cultures and unable to claim a single origin. - Her professional journey involved moving from a marketing career in the US (New Jersey/New York) to a Head of Marketing role in the Middle East (Dubai), creating cross-cultural communication challenges. - She advocates for embracing the "in-between" state, viewing it as a mosaic that requires continuous self-definition rather than static belonging. - The key to thriving in this space is developing a willingness to learn, maintaining cross-cultural respect, and actively finding one's voice and story. - Koulamallah asserts that navigating these cultural crossroads makes one a better marketer and entrepreneur because it fosters an ability to connect with diverse audiences. ![Screenshot at 00:13: Mareva Koulamallah standing center stage at TEDxGIIS Dubai, holding a microphone and speaking about her topic, "The Power of 'In-Between': Finding Home Across Cultures."](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zifDzgTQgO0/00-00-13.png) **Context:** Mareva Koulamallah delivers a TEDx talk at TEDxGIIS Dubai Youth about the challenges and power of living in a state of 'in-between' identity, often experienced by those with mixed cultural backgrounds or who have lived across multiple countries. She frames her personal narrative of moving between Chad, Africa, France, the US, and the UAE to illustrate how navigating these different environments shapes one's sense of self and voice. ## Detailed Analysis Mareva Koulamallah shares her personal experience of navigating multiple cultures, languages, and environments, stemming from being born in Chad, Africa, and later studying in the US, France, and Germany, ultimately working in Dubai. She centers her talk around the difficulty of answering the question, "Where are you really from?" when one's background is a complex mix. She describes her own journey, including a career shift from marketing in the US (specifically mentioning New York and New Jersey) to a Head of Marketing role in Dubai's cybersecurity sector, where she felt constantly challenged to adapt her voice and navigate cultural differences. Koulamallah argues that this 'in-between' state, far from being a deficit, is a powerful mosaic that demands continuous self-definition rather than adherence to a single origin. She outlines two key areas for thriving in this space: first, fostering a willingness to learn, having curiosity, and accepting failures without letting them stop you; and second, maintaining cross-cultural respect, which she considers paramount. She concludes by stating that this complex identity is what ultimately makes her a better marketer and entrepreneur, enabling her to connect and communicate effectively across diverse groups. ### Introduction & Identity - Speaker introduces herself as Mareva Koulamallah, founder of a marketing agency in the UAE, raised in Chad/Africa, educated in France/US/Germany - Speaker questions audience about struggling with the question, 'Where are you Really from?' ### Personal Journey & Challenges - Speaker details living in Chad, France, US (NY/NJ), and Dubai, leading to feeling like an 'odd one out' or a minority in different contexts - She recalls hating her marketing job in the US tech world because it felt disconnected from her multi-layered identity. ### The Power of the In-Between - Speaker defines 'home' not as a static place but as an emotion or feeling attached to memory, emphasizing that one's voice evolves and should not be static - She contrasts the concept of 'cross-cultural respect' as paramount over rigid cultural adherence. ### Actionable Advice - Speaker encourages the audience to actively pursue their dreams and ambitions regardless of societal standards or perceived 'oddness' - She emphasizes that navigating cultural crossroads helps one become a better professional by forcing holistic understanding and connection. ![Screenshot at 00:03: The opening graphic slide featuring the stylized red 'X' with bandana pattern, associated with TEDxGIIS Dubai Youth.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zifDzgTQgO0/00-00-03.png) ![Screenshot at 00:07: The speaker, Mareva Koulamallah, walking onto the stage as the large TEDx@GIISDXB backdrop illuminates the stage.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zifDzgTQgO0/00-00-07.png) ![Screenshot at 00:14: Close-up of the speaker addressing the audience while holding the microphone, with the title slide visible behind her.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zifDzgTQgO0/00-00-14.png) ![Screenshot at 00:57: The presentation slide displaying the central question: "Have you ever struggled to answer the question: 'Where are you Really from?'"](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zifDzgTQgO0/00-00-57.png) ![Screenshot at 02:33: The screen updates to show the theme: "The Mosaic of You: Finding Your Voice."](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zifDzgTQgO0/00-02-33.png) ![Screenshot at 03:49: A moment where the speaker gestures emphatically while discussing the need to hold onto the ethical line despite life's difficulties.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zifDzgTQgO0/00-03-49.png) ![Screenshot at 06:36: The screen transitions to a new slide theme: "Claiming Your Story. Owning Your Truth."](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zifDzgTQgO0/00-06-36.png) ![Screenshot at 10:00: The speaker reflects on her career path, noting her work in different regions \(Middle East, US, Europe\) and her dual degree in Marketing and Leadership.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zifDzgTQgO0/00-10-00.png) ![Screenshot at 12:38: The visual transitions to a slide featuring an astronaut, indicating a shift in the talk's focus to 'The Third Space' theme.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zifDzgTQgO0/00-12-38.png)