“People see me as Asian, but I just feel Dutch,” says Uchemig, who was born in Mongolia but grew up in Rotterdam. When she was two and a half years old, her biological mother could no longer care for her. She was adopted by a Dutch couple working in Mongolia. “It was meant to be,” she says matter-of-factly. In 2002, they moved from a village outside the city to Rotterdam, where she has lived ever since.
Appearance versus identity
Although she is often mistaken for being Chinese or South Korean, Uchemig feels completely Dutch. She visited Mongolia for the first time since her departure only seven years ago. “It’s a beautiful country, but it doesn’t feel like home to me.” Rotterdam, on the other hand, does: the direct communication, the mix of cultures, and the liveliness of the city suit her.
Learning from each other in the classroom
As a primary school teacher, Uchemig works with children from all kinds of backgrounds every day. “You learn about each other’s customs, beliefs, and sometimes even language. I think that’s wonderful.” She herself has brought no Mongolian traditions with her, except for one: “I love meat. In Mongolia, they eat a lot of meat, and I do too.”
Accepted in the city
She has never experienced discrimination in Rotterdam. “I have always felt accepted here.” Uchemig is an example of how diversity in the city is not only visible, but also works: through curiosity, openness, and seeking each other out.