Embracing change through a new country, culture and season

September is ESEA Heritage Month, with the aim to celebrate and honour people of ESEA (East and Southeast Asian) heritage and their culture, history and everything in between.

As part of this month, we are thrilled to have ING Media's Haziq Ariffin, share his reflections on this year's theme: Changing Seasons.

“A reflection on the cyclical nature of life. Just as the seasons transition, so too do our experiences, cultures and identities within the ESEA communities and beyond. From the tangible shifts in weather to the evolving cultural zeitgeist, this theme encapsulates our collective journey towards new beginnings and growth.”

Enjoying the Singapore National Day Parade, August 2024.

Haziq Ariffin

As I find myself at a unique crossroads, it feels like the theme for this year’s ESEA Heritage Month, “Changing Seasons”, couldn’t be more apt.

This time last year, I wrote about Roots and Routes, reflecting on a short trip back to Southeast Asia. Now, I write this from my new home in Singapore, having relocated after seven years in the UK. Personally, I’m really excited to be expanding ING Media's international presense, particularly in Asia.

Finding meaning in seasons

Whilst readjusting to Southeast Asia, I’ve quickly learnt that “Changing Seasons” could be a misnomer here, where the climate is seemingly unchanging — it is either hot or rainy, but it is always humid. The absence of four distinct seasons means you can’t rely on the number of coats and umbrellas on the streets to determine which part of the year you’re in. Instead, you look out for seasonal fruits and moments in the calendar.

Haziq Ariffin, Singapore. 

Celebrating our shared identity

September, in particular, has been a great month for reflections on identity and community as August marks the National Days for both Malaysia and Singapore. National Days are significant events that commemorate our past whilst being hopeful about the future. Particularly for those of Southeast Asian heritage. It is a day celebrating national pride, identity and belonging and as a massively diverse region, it is an opportunity to reflect on our shared histories and connection across cultures – a journey that never ceases.

Feeling conflicted

At the same time, August this year was a particularly difficult time with one of the worst periods of unrest the UK has seen in recent decades. From afar, I felt the tangible fear and anxiety, particularly amongst the ESEA community, following the nationwide riots that were fuelled by misinformation and anti-immigration sentiment. No doubt, an experience like that forces you to reexamine your identity and community and its position in the zeitgeist.

Change is progress

However, “Changing Seasons” is also a reminder that we should embrace change with fervour and courage. You don’t have to look far. Priya’s decision to rebrand PREACH Inclusion (from BAME in Property) this year is a powerful example. I presume that it was a daunting prospect to have to negotiate and a formidable task to undertake but I’m certain that it’s a welcome change. From a communications perspective, it speaks volumes to Priya, her brand, and what it stands for.

Embracing change

Change can be intimidating, but it can also be a door to new opportunities and growth. As ING celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, we are actively reflecting on our journey and looking forward to the next 25 years. In the words of Damian Wild, ING’s Managing Director, “ING is embracing these changes with purpose.”

A global perspective

I’m proud to be a part of ING’s international story - bringing our expertise in strategic communications to connect businesses across the globe. Whether that means supporting companies based in Asia Pacific looking to expand internationally or helping raise the profile of businesses from around the world in the Singapore market, our mission is to serve as a bridge that facilitates meaningful connections.

This journey has already proven to be an incredibly fun challenge. Attending various events and engaging with business leaders as well as members of the media, I’ve realised the nuances in ways of working and learned to make micro-adjustments in how we communicate to suit specific cultural contexts.

As we celebrate East and Southeast Asian Heritage month, I hope we continue to celebrate our rich and colourful cultural heritage and commit to learning from each other with humility.

A visit to the Impact Lab at the Surbana Jurong campus with SAA Architects. 

Marking East and Southeast Asian Month – changing seasons, changing identity?

September is ESEA Heritage Month, with the aim to celebrate and honour people of ESEA (East and Southeast Asian) heritage and their culture, history and everything in between.

At PREACH Inclusion, we are marking the month by sharing experiences from our ESEA members based on this year’s theme: Changing Seasons.

“A reflection on the cyclical nature of life. Just as the seasons transition, so too do our experiences, cultures and identities within the ESEA communities and beyond. From the tangible shifts in weather to the evolving cultural zeitgeist, this theme encapsulates our collective journey towards new beginnings and growth.”

To kick this series off, we are featuring Jessie Leung, an Estates Surveyor at South Gloucestershire Council, who was born and raised in Hong Kong. Here she shares with us the impact of adapting to British life, while holding onto her unique cultural identity and values.

By Jessie Leung

Jessie walking along the promenade in Hong Kong few years ago with my candle-lit lantern.

This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 17th of September, which is also my fourth one spent in the UK. Traditionally in East Asian cultures, the festival celebrates the harvest of crops on the day of full moon, which is a symbol of unity and harmony. In Hong Kong, we always dedicate the day for reunion with family and friends, eating mooncakes and enjoying a breezy autumnal stroll with paper lanterns. It is commonly believed that summer is officially over as Mid-Autumn Festival marks the change of season.

Lanterns with family in Jessie's back garden last year.

Interestingly, this will only be the second year that I properly celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in the UK, with my extended family including my 96-year-old grandmother. When I first moved to Bristol in 2021, I was busy settling down and building a life in a new country, that I didn’t pay attention to most cultural festivities that I normally observe in Hong Kong. I wasn’t trying to ignore my culture on purpose to ‘blend in’, but simply too busy adjusting to different aspects in life. It certainly didn’t help by the fact that I can no longer enjoy the multitude of bank holidays in Hong Kong, which celebrates both East and West cultures! We have 17 public holidays each year ranging from Buddha’s birthday to Easter Monday.

"On days when it is dark, cold and rainy, I question my decision to leave my hometown (Hong Kong) for a life full of uncertainty – the language barrier, challenges of contrasting communication style, and the struggle to show up as my authentic self and establish my cultural identity."

The subtropical climate in Hong Kong means that the seasonal changes are milder compared to the UK, in terms of the length of daylight and the temperature range. It was only in the last three years that I fully realised the impact of weather and seasons on my body and mind. There are days when I feel fully adapted to life in UK, embracing the opportunities as a first-generation immigrant. I proudly share my multi-cultural background and present myself as a three-dimensional person with unique identity. Then on days when it is dark, cold and rainy, I question my decision to leave my hometown (Hong Kong) for a life full of uncertainty – the language barrier, challenges of contrasting communication style, and the struggle to show up as my authentic self and establish my cultural identity. Do I explain to people that I mainly speak Cantonese every time they ‘Ni Hao’ me? Do I compromise my urge to have hot lunch in the office and grab some meal deal with colleagues instead?

"Just as we should acknowledge the role of seasonal changes on our body and mind, we should embrace the evolving identities within ourselves that could change with the environment and experiences we receive in our daily life."

Then I remember the core value of my culture – to celebrate and do things according to the climate. There are 24 solar terms in the Lunar calendar indicating the cycles of nature, guiding routines and rituals closely linked to the weather. Just as we should acknowledge the role of seasonal changes on our body and mind, we should embrace the evolving identities within ourselves that could change with the environment and experiences we receive in our daily life. It’s perfectly acceptable to be more adaptive and accommodating to new local cultures on some days, and equally reasonable to be in touch with our cultural upbringing on certain days to celebrate my roots. Identity is a fluid concept, and we should learn to be comfortable with the shifts within ourselves just as those outside of us. Here’s to beginnings of a new season!

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About East and Southeast Asian Month

In 2021, the first ever ESEA Heritage Month was held to celebrate East and South East Asian culture, heritage and communities. The month was founded by Britain’s East and Southeast Asian Network (BESEA) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic where racism and discrimination against East and Southeast Asians increased. The network campaigns for positive representation of ESEA people in the UK, in all walks of life – from British media, on screen, in creative spaces and in corporate and institutional positions of power way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Thank you to Jessie for sharing with us this personal experience, which sheds light on just some of the challenges and opportunities many people from different countries may face