My Intercultural, Neurodiverse Journey to JEDI work!

Growing up in intercultural environments and leading an intercultural life has profoundly shaped my journey into justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) work. My path has been unconventional, largely because I didn’t fit into traditional educational systems. Instead, I found my way through exploration, traveling for years and immersing myself in different contexts and ways of life.

Discovering My Path Through Exploration

Conventional educational environments often didn’t align with how I think and process the world. This made traditional learning challenging and delayed my entry into higher education. However, when I eventually embraced higher learning, it ignited my curiosity and empowered me to explore subjects I had always been passionate about—far beyond the scope of formal schooling.

Through my travels, I became acutely aware of how injustice and inequality manifest in different contexts. Living in diverse settings allowed me to witness the intersection of identity, power, and belonging. I think that it may have been my neurodivergent traits—dyslexia and ADHD— that drove me to question societal norms and seek new ways to address global issues.

From Exhaustion to Strength: Embracing Neurodiversity

Living with dyslexia and ADHD often involves navigating systems that aren’t built for neurodivergent minds, which can lead to burnout and a sense of not belonging—especially within traditional education. This struggle is real and can trigger feelings of inadequacy and mental health challenges. I’ve experienced this firsthand and understand the toll it can take.

But over time, I reframed my challenges. What once felt like exhaustion has become a source of strength. My neurodivergent perspective allows me to approach problems with creativity and innovation. Research from Made by Dyslexia confirms that neurodivergent individuals often excel in empathy, creative problem-solving, and connecting seemingly unrelated ideas—all critical skills in the JEDI work I am passionate about.

By embracing my neurodiversity, I’ve shifted from surviving in systems not designed for me to leveraging my unique strengths. My intercultural experiences have reinforced my belief that every voice matters, driving my passion for values driven work. I’ve witnessed the damage caused by systemic inequalities, and I am committed to building a more inclusive, equitable world.

Curiosity as a Driving Force

Curiosity has always been the catalyst for my learning and growth. With ADHD, my mind races, often hyper-focusing on subjects that intrigue me. This deep drive to explore the world turned me into a good student, eager to delve into complex topics.

Aligning Passion with Purpose: Pursuing Qualifications

Pursuing qualifications in human rights, international studies, and conflict resolution was not just about building a career—it was a way to weave my life experience and world view together with academic studies that ‘the system’ needed me to have, I was happy to have aligned my studies with my dedication to social justice. Higher education did equip me with the tools to understand the complexities of global systems and the inequalities that pervade them and challenged my perceptions as well.

My studies in human rights have provided me with a deep understanding of the fundamental protections that every person is entitled to, regardless of their background. These studies opened my eyes to the complexities of justice, inequality, and global systems, allowing me to grasp how these concepts intersect across different cultural and social contexts.

Human rights frameworks, particularly those established after World War II, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, became essential tools for understanding and addressing injustice. Through this education, I gained the knowledge and skills to engage meaningfully in conversations about justice and equality, as well as the practical tools to mediate conflicts and advocate for lasting change.

The combination of theory and real-world application in my human rights studies has not only sharpened my critical thinking but also reinforced my commitment to creating a more just and equitable world.

Why JEDI Work Resonates

JEDI work resonates with me on a profound level. It’s about creating spaces where all voices are valued, differences are celebrated, and systemic barriers are dismantled. Having felt different throughout my life due to my neurodivergence, I have a deep understanding of what it means to be excluded—and a relentless drive to advocate for inclusion.

My neurodiversity has heightened my sensitivity to injustice, sparked my curiosity about the roots of inequality, and strengthened my resolve to find solutions. My lived experiences, combined with my academic training in human rights and conflict resolution, give me a unique skill set for this work. But JEDI work is not just about what I know—it’s about how I show up.

I view JEDI as a cross-sector approach that applies across industries and communities. Whether in education, corporate settings, or grassroots movements, the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are universal. While I bring expertise in specific areas, I recognize the importance of collaboration. A true JEDI practitioner seeks out partnerships to address gaps in knowledge and better serve communities.

By embracing a collaborative, cross-sector mindset, I can address complex challenges while staying grounded in the core values of equity and justice. My goal is to create lasting change, and I believe that working together is the key to fostering inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.

Conclusion: JEDI as a Way of Life

My journey into JEDI work is shaped by my neurodivergence and intercultural experiences, but these aspects of who I am do not limit me—they clarify my purpose. Self-reflection has helped me understand my “why,” allowing me to move forward with a growth mindset, open to learning and evolving.

Embracing neurodiversity has allowed me to turn what might seem like obstacles into sources of strength. My dyslexia and ADHD fuel my creativity, curiosity, and empathy. Living in diverse cultural settings has only deepened my commitment to advocating for justice and equity on a global scale.

JEDI work isn’t just something I do—it’s an integral part of who I am. It reflects my lived experiences, my neurodiversity, and my unwavering belief in the power of inclusion and justice.

If you’d like to connect or learn more about my journey in JEDI work, I’d love to hear from you!