YT102 | 17 Years in Singapore – Will I Ever Belong?
I didn’t expect a CNA documentary “BEING SUNGAPOREAN” to make me question my own identity… but here we are. In this episode of YanaTV, I open up about my journey from a tiny Russian town to building a life, business, and family in Singapore… a place I never planned to come or stay, yet somehow it became home.
I share what it was like arriving here with no plan, no network, and no Singlish… and how acceptance, safety, and quiet kindness changed everything.
I also break down the surprising findings from the Singapore national identity study… and what they made me question about belonging, race, and what it really means to be Singaporean today.
If you’ve ever felt “in between identities” or wondered where you truly belong, this episode will feel like a mirror!
Discussion Topics: 17 Years in Singapore – Will I Ever Belong?
- My Journey to Singapore
- Early Life and Leaving Russia
- First Impressions of Singapore
- Struggles and Acceptance
- Becoming a Naturalized Singaporean
- Reflections on Identity and Belonging
- Core Values of Being Singaporean
- Final Thoughts and Gratitude
- Conclusion: Embracing Multiple Identities