Empowering Voices: Our Experience at Multisensory Space Week
Participants from EMP
In November 2024, as part of the JeS Project, we represented the European Migrant Platform (EMP) at the Multisensory Space Week in Finland. Alongside our project manager, Handan Sayer, we—Esra, İrem, and Kübra, three young migrant women—embarked on a journey that would transform how we perceive belonging, human rights, and self-expression.
From the moment we stepped into Laurea University’s Multisensory Workshop, we felt immersed in an environment that encouraged us to explore, feel, and share. The concept of belonging was no longer just an abstract idea but something we could see, hear, touch, and even taste. The multisensory approach allowed us to express ourselves in ways that words alone could not.
A Space to Be Heard
One of the most profound aspects of this experience was the opportunity to share our stories and truly be heard. As young migrant women, we have often struggled to articulate our experiences in a way that others could understand. But here, in this unique environment, our words turned into bridges, and our stories became doors—allowing us to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Esra shared how, for the first time, she felt that her past was not just something she carried but something that shaped her strength. “I wasn’t just speaking; I was being truly heard,” she said. Being able to tell her story in a space where people genuinely listened and empathized was a healing and empowering experience. She left the workshop with a newfound appreciation for the power of storytelling and community.
For İrem, this workshop was a realization of a childhood dream—seeing Finland and discovering a place where she could explore the idea of home in a way she never had before. Sharing her story helped her see how different experiences of migration shape unique, yet universal, definitions of belonging. She realized that home is not always a physical place but a feeling nurtured through meaningful connections.
Kübra found herself revisiting her past while also embracing her present. She shared a photo from her birthday in Belgium—a moment that symbolized how she had found family and belonging in a new place despite the hardships of migration. The workshop allowed her to redefine home and recognize that belonging is something you carry with you, no matter where life takes you.
Building a Multisensory Experience
Throughout the week, we engaged in various activities that deepened our understanding of belonging and human rights. One of the most meaningful tasks was creating our own Multisensory Space—a project that challenged us to define home not just with words, but with senses.
Our group, consisting of three Turkish migrant women, decided to bring elements from our heritage to the space. We prepared traditional Turkish tea and a homemade cake from a recipe passed down through generations. The smell, taste, and warmth of these familiar items evoked a deep sense of home—not just for us, but for everyone who shared the space with us. Through this, we realized that belonging is not always tied to a place—it can be found in shared experiences, traditions, and connections.
Takeaways: What We Learned
Beyond the activities, this workshop left us with powerful lessons that we will carry forward:
- Belonging is fluid: It is not about where we come from, but about the relationships we cultivate.
- The power of storytelling: Sharing our narratives helps us heal and understand each other.
- Empathy through experience: The multisensory method deepened our understanding of human rights and migration.
- Creating inclusive spaces: True belonging happens when diverse voices are acknowledged and valued.
A Lasting Impact
The Multisensory Space Week was more than just an educational workshop—it was a transformative experience that reshaped how we see ourselves and our place in the world. We left Finland with more than just memories; we carried with us a renewed sense of confidence, community, and purpose.
As migrants, we often find ourselves navigating between worlds, searching for a place to call home. This experience reassured us that belonging is not about where you come from, but about the spaces you create and the people who embrace you.
We are deeply grateful to EMP and the JeS Project for giving us this opportunity. Through initiatives like this, we hope that more voices will be heard, celebrated, and empowered.
Partners
