Durdane Rezia
My name is Durdane. I arrived in Norway at the age of eight, and I still remember the feeling of surreal disbelief as I looked out the airplane window. Below me, the country was a lush, vibrant green. I remember pointing to the vast fields and asking my mother if we could truly go there.
Eighteen years later, Norway is my home. Growing up here with a multicultural background hasn't always been easy; navigating the conflicting expectations of two cultures felt like a constant balancing act. Yet, I always felt a pull toward the horizon—a desire to explore more than what was right in front of me.
I have always loved being active, whether through sports or travel, but these passions often clashed with traditional norms of how a girl "should" behave. I’ve fought many battles to stay true to myself. Choosing to serve in the Norwegian Armed Forces and pursuing a career path that defies traditional gender roles were defining moments for me. These experiences taught me the ultimate value of trusting my own judgment. Today, I feel incredibly lucky to live my dreams and possess the freedom to define my own life.
