Navid Negahban Quotes

I've done a lot of things away from my homeland.

I grew up in Somalia, in Saudi Arabia, in Ethiopia, and in Kenya. I came to Europe in 1992, when I was 22, and became a member of Parliament in Holland.

I left Cameroon when I was 13 years old, and I've lived more in Europe than Africa.

I moved to L.A. in 2007 from Sweden.

I was born in Romania and later lived in Vienna, Austria, for a few years, and I eventually made my way over to New York in '95.

Migration is the story of my life: my parents and grandparents journeyed across four continents to flee war and find jobs, eventually finding their way to the U.S.

Emigration, forced or chosen, across national frontiers or from village to metropolis, is the quintessential experience of our time.

We're a migrant nation made up of people who've been torn out of other worlds, and you'd think we would have some compassion.

During my youth, the idea of moving from Lebanon was unthinkable. Then I began to realise I might have to go, like my grandfather, uncles and others who left for America, Egypt, Australia, Cuba.

I have no nationality, no country.

I move countries every three or four years. I was born in London, and we lived in Canada. Then we lived in Saudi Arabia until the Gulf War broke out, when we were forced to leave. Then we hop-scotched for a while from Holland back to Canada back to Saudi Arabia. Then there was D-day, so we had to get out again.

I was born in Evanston, Illinois. I spent my elementary and part of my junior high school years in a D.C. suburb. And then I spent my high school years in Minnesota. And then I spent my college years in Colorado. And then I spent some time living in China. And then I spent three years in Vermont before moving down to Nashville.

We travel often to Asia, Africa, Europe, where they were born.

I'm an immigrant. I came here when I was 3 months old.

I am willing to go abroad if the right opportunity comes up.

I was born in Cyprus, but my family moved to England when I was about six.

My parents left Libya in 1979, escaping political repression, and settled in Cairo. I was nine.

I spend most of my time in London but I come back to Ireland whenever I can.

My grandfather came to Canada from Romania just before the Second World War, already in debt after buying his boat ticket on borrowed dime.

I brought Hassan’s son from Afghanistan to America, lifting him from the certainty of turmoil and dropping him in a turmoil of uncertainty

I'm interested in people who find themselves in places, either of their choosing or not, and who are forced to decide how best to live there. That feeling of both citizenship and exile, of always being an expatriate - with all the attendant problems and complications and delight.

We left Germany when I was 11.

My family history, like that of many Polish, German and Jewish families from Central Europe in the 20th century, is complex.

We moved to Gambia from Sweden when I was six years old because my dad was from there. It was definitely a culture shock.

All I ever want is to return to either Bangladesh, my motherland, or India, my adopted home.