443. Conquering Language, Culture and Fear

Ariane Tavakol

The Iraqi bombs falling near her childhood home in Tehran, Iran, made a sound Ariane will never forget. Moving to Paris with her mother at age seven, Ariane happily adapted to the French culture. Later, at 19, she decided to face another migration, alone this time.

Ariane Tavakol started an online magazine in 2015 to conquer her fears of the unknown and help her adapt to her new country. Never in her wildest dreams would she have ever imagined this idea would turn into a full-time business and bring her so much joy, fulfillment and learning. In her magazine, she aspires to inspire through stories and visuals. She taught herself how to film, edit and interview. She believes the sky is the limit and anything is possible as long as the drive, faith and work are put into action.

How Did You Start Using Your Talents?

With Ariane’s home in Tehran, Iran shaken by revolution, and then war with Iraq, she and her mother moved to Paris, France. Ariane, at seven-years-old, happily plunged into a new country, culture, and language. Fortunately, she had a facility for language and had studied French since pre-school.

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

“At 19, I moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue my college education and to be close to my extended family, with whom I hadn’t spent that much time. I left my mom behind because she loved Paris and wanted to stay. I moved into a whole different culture again.” This time she used the British English she learned in Paris and encountered some humorous challenges in southern California, speaking British English with a French accent.

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

“It’s really up to us to adapt to the mysteries of life by diving into each new day and turning its twists and turns into an unforgettable experience. Things may not always go exactly the way we want it to go, but it will always go somewhere and will always teach us something. Time is precious and goes by so fast! All of a sudden, you’re running out of time. The Universe has a plan for you, so trust intuition, your gut.”