Lynda Chinenye Iroulo

Lynda, a Nigerian and an assistant professor of international
relations, shares her journey from Nigeria to Berlin for her PhD
and eventually working in a U.S. institution while living in
Qatar. She discusses the significance of names in African
cultures and her Igbo ethnicity. Despite the political and
economic challenges in Nigeria, she still considers it
home 

The concept of a good life, according to Lynda, is subjective and
influenced by one's background. Growing up in Nigeria, her idea
of a good life was having enough to support herself, her family,
and her community, reflecting the communal culture she was raised
in. She emphasizes the importance of having enough to cover basic
needs without anxiety 

Lynda touches upon the challenges of traveling with a Nigerian
passport due to global perceptions and restrictions. She values
the learning and growth that comes from interacting with
different cultures of 'enough' in different cultures, where Lynda
emphasizes covering basic needs and the value of social capital
in feeling safe and supported 

The conversation delves into cultural differences observed in
Germany, particularly in attitudes towards the elderly and the
value of social capital. Lynda contrasts this with the communal
support systems in Nigerian culture, where families and
communities play a significant role in taking care of each
other 

Regarding the economic system and societal agreements, Lynda
suggests the necessity of balancing financial capital with social
capital. She observes that in her experience, societies tend to
cooperate with an expectation of return, and advocates for
cooperation without such expectations, simply as a contribution
to society. This philosophy extends to her role as an academic,
where she mentors students not for personal gain but to
contribute to the community 

Finally, the conversation touches upon the concept of untainted
love and the importance of seeing others as a reflection of
ourselves. Lynda recounts an exercise that involved looking into
another person's eyes, which led to a profound realization of
interconnectedness and empathy 

Overall, Lynda's insights offer a rich perspective on cultural
differences, the meaning of a good life, and the importance of
community and social capital in personal and societal
well-being.