When journalist Mariana Atencio was seven, her father sent her from her home in Venezuela to a summer camp in Brainerd, Minnesota. Unsurprisingly, she was treated like an outsider. Over the course of many more such camps and a senior year in an American high school, she discovered that the best way to belong was to embrace the qualities that made her different. In this deeply personal talk, Atencio describes how these early lessons helped her succeed as an immigrant and as a journalist.

Mariana Atencio: What makes you special?

What makes you special?

A journalist's journey from Venezuela to the US reveals how embracing 'the other' can foster understanding and inclusivity.

Human commonality transcends all differences. Celebrating what makes us special fosters a more humane and inclusive world.

Embracing cultural differences enriches personal growth, fostering global connections and understanding across diverse backgrounds.