This month we’ll be talking about how travel and migration can change us and shape our identity. What does “home” really mean, and how can we find it far away from where we were born? We’ll explore these questions through personal stories, an article, a film, and a novel about finding a home away from home.

October Meeting

During this meeting, we shared our experiences and engaged in a thoughtful discussion about the book

using the materiels and questions outlined below:

• What does home mean to you — a place, a feeling, or the people around you? Has that meaning changed over time?
• Can you think of a time when you felt torn between two places — emotionally or practically? How did you navigate that feeling?
• Have you ever felt unable to find a foothold in a new environment? What helped you adapt (or didn’t)?
• Do you think it’s possible to put down roots somewhere completely new — or do our roots always remain where we were born?

• What helps someone navigate cultural differences successfully — curiosity, empathy, humor, or something else?
• Have you ever been part of a close-knit community that helped you flourish in a new place? What made it feel like a safe haven?
• Do you think it’s possible to feel a true sense of belonging in more than one country — or does belonging always require choosing one “home”?
• Have you ever met someone who really embodied the idea of cultural openness or courage? What did they do that impressed you?

• “To travel is to cast off from the unfamiliar to the unknown.” Do you think that’s still true in the modern world of easy flights and global culture?
• In Brooklyn, Eilis’s story is often seen as a testament to the great bravery of people who migrate. What kind of bravery do you think migration requires today?
• Can travel help us discover parts of ourselves that were hidden before — or does it simply reveal what was already there?