Tara Fatehi and Sam Yoon are an intercultural couple in Australia who bring together Kurdish and Korean backgrounds through shared values, mutual respect, and curiosity. They met on a dating app during COVID-19 lockdowns and built a strong connection once restrictions eased.
A key theme in their relationship is the importance of language and culture. Tara emphasises preserving Kurdish language through future generations, while both note strong similarities between Kurdish and Korean cultures, especially respect for elders, patriotism, and shared historical struggles. These similarities have made their relationship smoother.
Tara’s parents were initially hesitant about her marrying outside her culture due to communication concerns, but they became supportive after meeting Sam and seeing their compatibility. Sam’s family was more open from the start. Both Tara and Sam have made efforts to learn each other’s languages to strengthen family bonds.
They actively blend traditions in their life together, celebrating events like Newroz and Lunar New Year, and incorporating both cultures into major milestones such as their wedding. Now, as parents, they are focused on raising their daughter with both Kurdish and Korean languages and traditions, while also embracing Australian culture.
Challenges include language barriers with extended family and practical issues like choosing a culturally appropriate name for their child. However, overall, they find more similarities than differences in their cultures.
Ultimately, Tara hopes their daughter will grow up confidently embracing a multicultural identity, benefiting from the richness of Kurdish, Korean, and Australian influences without the identity struggles she herself experienced.
Ji bo bihîstina babetên din serî li sbs.com.au/language/kurdish/ku/guhdar-bike
