Bawan Omar shares his powerful journey from a Kurdish childhood marked by loss and displacement, through struggles with cultural adaptation, bullying, and academic challenges in England. Despite setbacks and tough choices, including dropping out and changing career paths, he persevered—finding success and purpose as a teacher and mentor. Bawn’s story highlights the strength it takes to break old shells, embrace vulnerability, and grow through adversity. His message inspires us to keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles or where we come from. As a respected leader in education with nine years of experience working with secondary students in Kurdistan, Mr. Bawan offers unique insights into the development of today's Kurdish youth. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx