Lena Segler-Heikkilä
In Finland, there are many people that have strong connections to foreign places and the associated concepts of life, values, beliefs, and principles. This connection exists through one or both parents and/or through a period of life abroad. The unique set of meanings experienced by an individual that includes elements from at least two concepts, can be referred to as a hybrid space. In the workshop, we are going to explore the phenomena experienced by individuals living in a hybrid space compared to others and identify the solutions they find to live in balance and well-being. Additionally, we will examine how topics considered important are interconnected and what internal and external factors influence them. We will focus on identity issues, languages, communication-related phenomena, social relationships, and belonging. Personal history and age, personality, motivation, attitude, and level of activity, as well as external factors such as the behaviour of other people at the individual and group levels, work, study, hobbies, and physical location, influence how questions, challenges, and phenomena are perceived and addressed. These factors are interconnected and constantly changing. We will also get aquainted with a model that illustrates the different elements of the hybrid space and their mutual relationship.
