Lessons from Living Between Seychelles and Europe: A Diplomatic Perspective

Introduction

There is a certain clarity that comes from living between two very different parts of the world. Seychelles, with its warm intimacy, familiar rhythms, and island identity, contrasts sharply with the structured order, advanced systems, and cultural diversity of Europe. Moving between these two environments is more than a change of geography. It becomes a study in how societies function, how people think, and how nations rise or fall based on the choices they make. Over the years, shifting between Seychelles and Europe has shaped my diplomatic worldview, sharpened my understanding of governance, and deepened my belief that Seychelles has the potential to evolve into a modern, confident nation that protects its culture while expanding its global reach.

Living between worlds teaches you to recognise what your country does well and what it must improve. It teaches you that no nation becomes strong by accident. Strength is built deliberately through good leadership, strategic thinking, and the willingness to learn from others. The key lesson is simple. Seychelles does not need to copy Europe. Seychelles needs to observe what works, adapt it to our scale, and refine it in a way that respects our culture and our identity.

Seeing Seychelles from the Outside

There is something powerful about viewing your country from abroad. Distance gives clarity that daily life sometimes hides. When Seychellois travel or live abroad, they often realise that the world sees Seychelles with admiration. Our stability, natural beauty, environmental leadership, and peaceful society are strengths that many countries do not have. Yet, from abroad, you also see our weaknesses. You see the inefficiencies, the slow pace, the lack of digital systems, the missed opportunities, and the habits that prevent progress.

Europe teaches you that systems matter. A strong country is built on reliable institutions. A strong country invests in small efficiencies that make daily life predictable and productive. When you return home after living in Europe, you appreciate how much potential Seychelles has. We have the ability to build better systems because we are small and manageable. The challenge lies in ambition and discipline. The opportunity lies in using global lessons to improve our local reality.

The Importance of Structure and Accountability

One of the clearest lessons from Europe is the central role of structure. European countries, regardless of their size, function on consistency. Public transport runs on time. Waste is collected on schedule. Institutions operate with transparency. When something goes wrong, accountability is immediate. This culture of reliability is not accidental. It is the product of generations of institutional building and public expectations.

Seychelles can learn from this mindset. A society becomes efficient when its people demand efficiency. A government becomes accountable when citizens expect accountability. Living between Seychelles and Europe showed me that we do not need European budgets or European populations to adopt better standards. We only need the will to modernise and the courage to enforce rules that benefit the entire population rather than a few individuals. Structure does not limit freedom. Structure creates freedom. It gives people the confidence that their country works, that their time matters, and that their institutions are trustworthy.

Balancing Culture and Progress

One of the most powerful lessons from living in Europe is the importance of protecting culture while embracing progress. Europe is modern yet deeply rooted in its heritage. Its cities evolve, but its history remains visible in every street, museum, and monument. Europeans understand that identity must be preserved, not diluted, when embracing the future.

Seychelles can follow the same path. Our Creole heritage, our music, our food, our traditions, our way of speaking, and our connection to the ocean form the soul of our identity. Modernisation does not mean losing this. It means strengthening it. It means building a digital economy while teaching Creole in schools with pride. It means developing sustainable tourism that protects the environment instead of exhausting it. It means expanding our global influence while remaining true to who we are.

Living between Seychelles and Europe taught me that identity is an asset. It is something to protect and something to project to the world. A strong nation does not abandon its culture for progress. It uses its culture to drive progress.

A Higher Standard of Public Service

In Europe, public service is seen as a responsibility, not a privilege. Whether it is a police officer, a doctor, a receptionist, or a civil servant, there is a culture of professionalism. People expect quality. They expect courtesy. They expect efficiency. This culture produces a higher standard of service across all levels of society.

For Seychelles, improving public service is one of our greatest opportunities. Our small size allows us to implement reforms faster than larger nations. Better training, modern digital systems, and a culture of pride in public roles can transform the experience of living in Seychelles. My time in Europe showed me that service quality influences everything from tourism to investor confidence to national morale. When people are treated with respect and efficiency, they develop a stronger sense of belonging and pride in their country.

The Value of Mobility and Global Exposure

Living abroad deepens your understanding of the world in ways no textbook can replace. Exposure builds confidence, broadens thinking, and pushes individuals to expand their ambitions. Seychelles benefits enormously from its strong passport and its ability to give citizens access to Europe. When Seychellois return home after living or studying abroad, they carry knowledge, networks, and experiences that strengthen the country. They introduce new ideas, higher standards, and international perspectives that enrich our society.

Europe, with its universities, industries, and multicultural environment, provides the perfect training ground for Seychellois who wish to contribute meaningfully to national development. The challenge is not that our people lack talent. The challenge is that we must create opportunities for them to return, lead, and innovate. Living between the two worlds has shown me that the future of Seychelles depends on a confident and globally trained generation that understands both our local reality and the global landscape.

Understanding Diplomacy Through Lived Experience

Diplomacy is not only practiced in conference rooms. It is shaped by how you observe the world, how you engage with people from different cultures, and how you understand the values that guide nations. Living between Seychelles and Europe taught me that diplomacy is built on relationships, perception, and credibility. A small nation can be influential if it is seen as stable, trustworthy, and thoughtful.

Europe values reliability and consistency. Seychelles, when it aligns itself with these values, gains respect on the international stage. The world responds positively to countries that communicate clearly, act responsibly, and build long-term relationships. Real diplomacy comes from understanding how to speak the language of both small island states and powerful global players. It comes from living in environments that show you how nations interact, cooperate, and compete.

My Final Thoughts

Living between Seychelles and Europe transformed the way I see my country and my responsibilities within it. It taught me that Seychelles can aspire to higher standards without losing its identity. It taught me that modernisation is not a threat to culture. It is a chance to protect our culture for future generations. It taught me that a strong nation is not built through speeches alone. It is built through systems, discipline, global exposure, and leadership that is willing to learn from the world.

As Seychelles moves into a new chapter, the lessons drawn from Europe can guide our development. Our country has the potential to become a respected, innovative, and globally connected nation that retains its warmth, its soul, and its remarkable sense of community. We stand at a moment where the right ideas, the right partnerships, and the right mindset can define our future. My perspective is simple. We are capable of more. We deserve more. And with the courage to transform, Seychelles can rise to its highest potential.