Urmi Hossain is a woman who wears many hats and blends her passions and hobbies with her full-time job in finance. She is a very well-diversified and well-rounded person.
By day, Urmi dedicates significant time to her role in finance, and by night, she uses her evenings to pursue her ambitions such as creating content on YouTube, blogging, mentoring, and writing.
Urmi is also a big proponent of self-growth, and she invests in herself through public speaking organizations like Toastmasters, where she continues to grow as a communicator and leader.
In addition to the above, Urmi dedicates a big chunk of her time to supporting causes close to her heart such as education, women’s empowerment, and gender equality; she serves as the Social Media Lead and Campaign Manager respectively at Women in Leadership (Victoria Chapter) and Femme Influence organizations. Lastly, Urmi is also a self-published author. her book is called Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle, a personal journey story that captures the challenges of navigating multiple cultural backgrounds and finding her cultural identity
What was it that compelled you to write your book?
I always wanted to write a book. I am an avid reader and always felt inspired by other people’s stories. Every single book tells a story and educates the readers. So I felt the same when I read a very interesting book called: Confessions of a Brown Girl by Saleha Mirza. After reading it, I reached out to the author and asked about the writing process of the book.
The author was kind enough to guide me and that’s when I thought I could do it. I used to think that writing a book always requires a publisher, but luckily in the times where we live, we can self-publish our books. This made my dream of writing a book more attainable.
What were some significant moments in your life that inspired you to pursue active roles in organisations like ‘Women in Leadership and Femme Influence’?
My active involvement in organisations like Women in Leadership and Femme Influence came to fruition upon a series of events that led to it.
First, as a woman of South Asian background, I witnessed how women are marginalised in the communities and seen as a financial burden.
Second, as a woman in finance, I saw how women are overshadowed by their male counterparts in leadership positions and thought to believe they are inadequate.
Three, we live in a world that is men-biased, where women’s concerns are often ignored in favor of those that cater to men. This is evident when we think about the gender pay gap, the #MeToo movement, and abortion laws.
Upon seeing a lot of injustice in society, I decided to change the narrative and be an active leader for positive change.
How was it like growing up in Italy as a Bengali and how did that transition into growing up as an Italian-Bengali woman?
Growing up in Italy as a Bengali kid was challenging at times. It was an experience of cultural duality. On the one hand, I learned and lived the Italian culture through food, traditions, and language, and on the other hand, my parents taught me about the Bengali culture through values, customs, and traditions.
I’ve often found myself in conflict between the two cultures, which, although extremely similar in some ways, could also be very contrasting at times. For instance, I was always explaining to non-Bengali people about certain things like why I don’t eat certain things, why I follow specific holidays, and why I couldn’t have a typical teenage life. It wasn’t always easy to make people understand, especially when they couldn’t relate to the Bengali culture.
Navigating these two identities was tough. I felt I didn’t belong anywhere; at school, I had to constantly explain and sometimes justify my Bengali background, while with my family, I felt I was becoming more and more Italian, influenced by the society around me.
As I grew older, I began to appreciate both aspects of my identity. I realized who I was through simple daily actions such as speaking both Italian and Bengali at home and eating a blend of both cuisines. What I once saw as a weakness became a symbol of strength and storytelling. I was no longer just Italian or Bengali—I was both, with each part contributing to a fuller, and richer life.
Over time, I learned to embrace both worlds, blending the values and traditions of my Italian upbringing and Bengali heritage, and using them to navigate my life with pride.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love the genuine connections and the ability to learn from others. I am fueled by passion and growth when I meet women from diverse communities.
Indeed, every connection has been a learning process – I love hearing women’s success stories, understanding their challenges, and getting an insight into their lives.
Every woman’s story is a symbol of strength, resilience, and determination and there is nothing more beautiful than being able to share our journeys all together.
What advice would you impart to migrants who are facing a ‘conflict of identities’ and uncertain about how to embrace their cultural roots whilst living in a foreign country?
Just remember that whatever you are feeling is valid. It is normal to feel a conflict of identities especially when you develop a lack of belongingness. You will not have all the answers overnight of what you are and what cultures you stand for, but it is all part of a process where you start to work on yourself. For instance, being part of communities of people similar to you is a starting point.
It is also important to be patient and self-reflect upon your habits, decisions, and choices. Journaling is a great way self-reflecting process to discover yourself and learn about yourself.
Then acknowledging that it is not always about fitting a box, but rather creating your definition of your identity. Your identity and personal journey are unique to you. By embracing the complexities of your heritage and your lived experiences, you are creating a beautiful and unique story that belongs only to you. Your cultural background is a gift to the world and it is meant to be shared.
When you are not sure how to embrace your cultural identity, you can simply start by reconnecting to what matters to you whether it is through food, language, or even music. Sharing these parts of yourself with others can help create a bridge of understanding, both for you and for those around you.
Check out Urmi’s book: “Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle” and follow her work with Femme Influence