Even if you are from the same neighborhood as someone else, you might still be coming from different places. Where you are from is a complicated question and it elicits complicated, but interesting and thought-provoking responses. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Victoria Passichenko | Portrait photographer

I was born and raised in Kazakhstan, Central Asia. This is a multinational country, in which I have absorbed many different cultures and traditions. When people find out I am from Kazakhstan, it is hard for them to understand why I am not a Kazakh, but a Pole by nationality who speaks Russian. However, this is the norm for my homeland. I have been living in California for 10 years now, where I work as a portrait photographer. My background helps me to easily find common ground with a wide variety of people. Read more>>

Nick English | Entrepreneur and fashion marketer

It’s funny, my father is an entrepreneur and throughout my childhood he encouraged me to start a business when I grew up — but I couldn’t think of anything more boring! I only ever saw him in his office pushing papers around and wanted to do something more exciting. Read more>>

Kaoru Mansour | Artist & Musician

Born in Japan, came to Los Angeles at the age of 30. I think the main reason I am now is that my parents taught me “motivation and elf-esteem” Read more>>