Raised in a Cuban exile household, Alex unpacks the complex layers of identity, cultural inheritance, and what it means to belong. Blending humor, history, and lived experience, he invites us to explore the tension between where we’re from and who we become—and how the journey to reconcile the two can transform us all. A proud US American of Cuban heritage, Alex was born in Jersey City to Cuban political refugees who fled the Castro revolution. A veteran professor of Spanish and ESL at Brookdale Community College, he has inspired students for over 25 years with his passion for language and culture. He holds a Master’s in Spanish from Middlebury College’s Madrid program and a Bachelor’s in Comparative Literature from Drew University, where he is now pursuing a Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) in Writing.Alex's talk delves into his dual experience of exile—his parents' and his own. Growing up feeling like an outsider both within his family and in broader society, he came to a profound realization: while he believed he belonged nowhere, he, like all of us, belongs everywhere. His story is one of resilience and the power of education to transform lives. His TED Talk will explore the intersections of language, identity, and the immigrant experience, offering insights into finding refuge within oneself. 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