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What does it take to feel Swiss in Switzerland?

Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Emily has Polish/Chinese roots but grew up in Canada and says she feels Canadian. Tama doesn't feel terribly Swiss, even though she grew up here and speaks Swiss-German. We find out why.  (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch) 

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Tama talks to Tri, head of a Vietnamese summer camp.

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Why language is not just about talking

This content was published on Tama visits a summer camp for young Vietnamese people growing up in Switzerland and finds out how language helps to unite the participants.

Read more: Why language is not just about talking
Tama with Kidswest project children

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A life-changing art project

This content was published on This week, Tama visits the Kidswest Association set up a decade ago in Bern, which introduces art to disadvantaged children.

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Tama and Marco Kunz on the grass

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When Swiss kids are forced to go hiking

This content was published on What makes Swiss kids different from foreign kids growing up here? Tama Vakeesan discusses this with singer, Marco Kunz, from Lucerne.

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<Niguela stands behind Tama

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Congolese do it in sunglasses

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. She talks to a comedian about how Congolese Swiss differ from Swiss natives.

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Tama points at jazzed up car

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Tama and the car freaks

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. This week she visits a show organised by Tamils for car freaks.

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Tama holds her nose

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When commuters are smelly, loud and rude

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Tama looks at the downsides of commuting here. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

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Tama makes Albanian eagle sign

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Why do ethnic Albanians do the double-headed eagle?

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Sometimes it’s hard for Tama and her friends of different ethnic origins to stay true to family traditions. She asks Arjeta what being an ethnic Albanian means to her. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

Read more: Why do ethnic Albanians do the double-headed eagle?
Close-up Tama s face

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Skin lightening: why do Tamil women do it?

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. This week, she investigates why Tamil women want to look paler. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

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Tama dances with Aceko, her friend

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When your parents hate your career choices

This content was published on Swiss-born Tama Vakeesan has Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Both she and her friend from Cameroon had trouble with their parents and career choices.

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Tama, her brother, and the child asylum seekers at a refugee centre take a selfie

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Re-visiting a refugee centre

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan visits a refugee centre for the first time since she herself was an asylum- seeker. Her Tamil parents fled the war in Sri Lanka.

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Tama and her mum sit laughing

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Me and my mum

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to parents from Sri Lanka. She speaks with her mother who explains what it was like to leave her home country.

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Tama s friend sings into a microphone

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Let the beat go on!

This content was published on Tama's friend Priya Ragu, a Swiss-born ethnic Tamil, explains how hard it is making her way in the music world without her parents' support.

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Vlogger stands back to back with friend

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Under suspicion

This content was published on Tama meets her friend Mondher, who is Swiss with Tunisian roots. He tells how not looking Swiss has got him into trouble.

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Why women are marching in Zurich.

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Tama and the #Pussyhats

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. In this episode, she takes part in the Zurich Women’s March and finds out why demonstrators are wearing pink “Pussyhats”, and how their four-legged allies are protesting too. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

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What our food says about us

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan meets up with her friend Zoe, born in Switzerland to Greek parents, to find out whose mum is the best cook.

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So what if I wear a headscarf?

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan finds out how wearing a headscarf affects the lives of some of her friends. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

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My town – ordinary but extraordinary

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. She shows us her favourite places in her home town.

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My big fat Tamil wedding

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Tama and her best friends have a clear vision of their dream man.

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close up Tama

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Swiss or Tamil? Caught in the middle

This content was published on Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Sometimes she doesn’t know where she belongs.

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR