I don`t have a great pedigree 🤷‍♀️, but I consider myself a “global citizen”.
🇷🇴 I am a woman from Eastern Europe. The Romanian University I attended is not comparable to Harvard. Nor is my Master’s Degree equivalent to an MBA.
The more I travel, the more I understand the power of a global mind. Join a global citizen in her journey through the world, with good and bad moments.
A secondhand citizen
Over my last eleven years as an expat, I found people who treated me as a “secondhand citizen.”
A colleague asked me how I was so white; he thought Romanians were “a bit darker.” A boss I had in Switzerland tried to convince me to open an operational center in Bratislava, as “you, Eastern Europeans, have a different mindset.” A German dude told me he finds Eastern European women “bitchy” – I swear, I was close to showing him my dark side.
Wherever you go, you will find narrow-minded people who believe they are superior, smarter, or special. Does the fact that one is being born in a specific place give them the right to judge anyone who comes from another land?
No, it does not. No matter what color, religion, or heritage – we are all human beings with equal rights. We are global citizens. Our differences bring diverse views of the world and diverse opinions. Throughout my career and life, I have clearly seen that diverse teams are better and more fun to work with.
What is a global citizen?
We cannot label people based on the country they come from or the school they have attended. Not in the 21st century.
Remember when you were a kid without knowing much about race and politics? You had friends from all walks of life and could not care less about their background as long as they were nice people.
Later on, you have learned that some people have different religious backgrounds or heritage. You were told not to hang out with some kids because they are from a poor background or because their family had some less impressive lineage. Social rules are merciless sometimes.
As you continued your studies, you probably gained a sort of arrogance – you`ve got a Bachelor’s or PhD Degree. You must be better paid and get a better position at work and in society. You are entitled through your superiority.
And then you take a first big blow in life – you lose a spouse, a child, your fortune, or just your well-paid job. This is probably the moment when you realize that, in fact, you have nothing.
Here you are – naked in front of life. Losing someone hurts as much when you have a PhD as it hurts when you barely graduated kindergarten.
If you recover from the shock, you will get the acute understanding that people are all the same, going through life in the same manner. We all gain and lose; we all experience pain and joy. We are all global citizens, with minor differences in language or cultural heritage.
Travel more to get a global mind
What is the easiest way to become a global citizen?
Travel more. Go to all continents and experience life in rich and poor countries. Climb mountains, travel through deserts, and dive into oceans. Eat and have fun with the locals. Global citizens are the ones who enjoy life in its simplest form, along with people from anywhere.
I did not speak Russian, but I somehow communicated without words with Russian ladies who did not speak a word of English. Smiling in Thailand has been as natural and joyful as in Bali. The guides from Tanzania who accompanied me on Kilimanjaro had the same fears and dreams as mine.
I found more commonalities than differences in every place I traveled. I spoke with locals about their families and their lives. Love is the same everywhere.
But countries are different
Yes, countries are different, each one with its history and legacy. The fact that a person is born in a rich country does not give them any superiority over others. And a richer country does not necessarily mean better living conditions in all aspects.
Global minds understand that we are all equal in rights. We all inhabit the same planet and should do everything to improve humanity’s living standards. Both developed and emerging countries have a role to play in climate change or global health crises.
Emerging countries are not just catching up in the digital sector; they’re leading the way. Free from outdated legacy systems, they’re redefining entire ecosystems. For example, when I moved to Germany in 2013, I received an Internet speed of 16 MB. That was shocking for me, as I had at least 500 MB in Romania. My home country introduced the Internet later but built a new and modern infrastructure.
Not convinced? Take a moment to consider how blockchain technology is revolutionizing emerging economies. People in countries with hyperinflation are more confident paying in Bitcoin than using their national currency. Meanwhile, many people in the Western world do not own any crypto.
Remote regions could have access to healthcare through virtual AI-based assistants. And I believe the adoption will be faster than in developed countries.
Less rich countries are not just participants but have the potential to disrupt the global landscape. We will witness innovation from the most unexpected places. And that is what moves the world forward, not another separatist referendum.
Thoughts about the future
The future is here, and it’s being written by the global minds, the people who can understand the power of diverse perspectives. Open up your mind and heart and try to understand the beautiful diversity of this world. Listen to different opinions, even when they are opposite from yours.
Innovation and collaboration are borderless. The future belongs to the global citizens, the ones who accept and embrace diverse opinions, backgrounds and cultures.
Share your opinion
Have you received remarks regarding your origin, background, or studies? What have you done to nurture your global mindset?
This article may be quoted or referenced with attribution. © 2025 Finsurtech.ai
