CHRISTINE
The importance of HOME
I like this story, and I imagine Farhad as an ancient Greek hero for whom nothing is impossible. Building a house is his quest, his mission; the rock is his ( impossible) combat. Farhad is a very optimistic and determined person who tries to figure out how to destroy a rock in order to build his wife’s dream house. He overcomes his problem by gaining perspective. For him, paragliding is a mindset: if you can relativize, you can overcome any difficulty.
I wanted to find my place before arriving in New York. I couldn’t imagine coming to a new country with my family without knowing where we would live. I needed to settle my family and plant our roots. I already knew which neighborhood I wanted to live in, in Manhattan; I just needed to find our home. I managed to do that remotely thanks to StreetEasy. I moved into my apartment without ever having visited it. It was a real relief when I finally found my place, even though I was disappointed by the actual size of the rooms. Having a place of one’s own is not a cultural question for me; it is more connected to our primary needs, our basic survival requirements, like food and water. Having a home is a fundamental need, serving not only as essential shelter but also as a foundation for physical security, emotional well-being, and stability.
More information about FARHAD
In an interview related to the series Little America, it was revealed that Farhad is a recreational paraglider who finds perspective through the activity. He has also farmed quail eggs and taught rollerblading. He is described as a recreational paraglider, a quail egg farmer, and a rollerblading instructor. According to his Facebook profile, Farhad studied digital photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology and at Istanbul University. 
ABBOS
Persistence 
We often look for inspiration in the heroes of the Little America project, but Farhad’s story is especially useful as a cautionary example. His intentions were good: a home for his family., stability, and a foundation in a new country. However, his desire to save money turned out to be stronger than his rational thinking. The wish to win led him to create a serious problem for himself that lasted for many years.
His situation reminds me of the myth of Sisyphus. If Sisyphus was punished by fate, then Farhad voluntary chose to break his “mountain” into smaller pieces. And I am not sure that the second situation is easier than the first one.
Now I understand that persistence without careful planning can become a trap. VITA
Paragliding
In my opinion, when a person starts having problems, they need to keep themselves busy with something to distract themselves – for example, sport, walking or running, or even drawing. And I think this works for me as well. I haven’t been interested in paragliding because I’m afraid of heights.
Relationships
In my opinion, today’s youth live a very interesting life because there are more opportunities. I don’t have any difficulties, as I believe that you should always keep moving forward. JULIAN
Relationships in your life
In my life I always prioritize my grandmas as the main characters of my life, in my childhood and over the years.
But there is someone very important to me that made my life felt like I was never alone. And this is my uncle’s ex-wife. (I still call her “aunt.”) Since I have memory she has been in the family and she always took care of me in different ways, when in school I needed an adult for meetings and stuff like this, when she was going shopping she always invited me to go with her (even if it was to the supermarket) – and always she was going out with my two cousins to any restaurants, I was always there with them enjoying of their plans. One of my cousins is my age so we grew up like we were siblings, almost twins because people were saying we looked similar. She says I am one of her sons, too.
My uncle and her had some problems, as many families do, and they got divorced, so this turned out pretty bad for them.
Even though they were no longer together, my family and I love her so much as part of the family no matter what. She also helped my grandma a lot so my grandma sees her as another daughter.
We haven’t seen each other in four years, now she lives in Spain so it’s little complicated to talk with her often but we still have a very connection between us. I might get to see her this year because we both are going to visit my cousin of my age that lives in Costa Rica and we’re planning to go at the same time. Hopefully, this can happen, so I will hug her so much.
The importance of HOME
Home is something essential in my life. Home is where everyone in the family gets together for traditional things like Christmas or somebody’s birthday. Otherwise the family is separate all the time, Home has to be a safe place where you don’t feel any pressure or stress… if that isn’t happening in your home, then nobody has a safe space to go when things goes down.
Home to me has to be the most comfortable place you live in. It doesn’t have to be a big house or the most expensive one either. As long as you feel safe, confident, comfortable in this place I think you can call it HOME.
Sometimes we grow up in places with family or friends and we can hate this place because the treatment was not the best, but sometimes once we have the choice to build our home, I recommend that you do it, in order to feel safe
Not only for that reason, is also depends who you are building this home with – whether yourself or with somebody else, and if so, you have to know who you are building this home with. As my grandma said “In your home, people doesn’t know if you sleep enough, people doesn’t know if you eat today, people doesn’t know if you’re feeling good, if you cried, many things are happening in your home and people doesn’t have to know anything.” GHIZ
Paragliding and problems
It’s amazing how many adventure air sports people can practice and enjoy such as skydiving, hang gliding, wingsuit flying, paragliding, etc. All theses activities which are considered moderate to high risk definitely don’t appeal to me.
Last year, I tried a hot air balloon ride, which is at least a safer experience you can try compared to those listed above. Although the flight stayed calm, stable and relatively low so you can enjoy the landscapes, the landing was very rough since the basket bounced several times and dragged along the ground for a long time before the final stop. I really got a small taste of what a typical flight feels like. Therefore, I can’t even imagine how people try the dynamic and exposed paragliding which allows them to fly higher and higher.
Personally, I prefer not to risk my life to escape from my problems as Farhad does. I simply feel much better solving them with my feet on the ground instead of being like a falling star. Fortunately, there are many different ways to help me energize and deal serenely with difficulties such as a long walk in nature, swimming or simply listening to music.
The importance of HOME
I can understand Farhad’s determination to build a large home for his family, but his decision to buy a rock doesn’t make any sense to me.
The story shows his strong desire to return to Iran where he already owns a big farm. Since he never wanted to live in the U.S., I think he could have looked for another reasonable option, such as a larger apartment instead of pursuing this specific deal, causing the loss of all his savings without any benefit.
The importance of Home is a common theme in many cultures including mine. It can be described as a landmark, a refuge or a nest that provides a sense of peace, security and happiness. In my country, people do their best to buy their own homes, depending on their financial capacity.
It is often said that your home can be compared to your grave in life. MARIA
I will take you to the moon.”
For me, the phase could signify someone offering something very special to someone, and in that offer they assure that it will be exciting, like nothing they have ever experienced or seen before, so much so that they will be left speechless, like being on the moon, discovering something new and unexpected.In the story we read about
Paragliding and problems
I have never tried to escape my problems because at the time they stressed me so much that I couldn’t forget them… maybe I cried until I was exhausted and had no tears left… haha. Rather, when I have problems, I try to compare them to other problems or even worse things to know that they do have solutions, and think that happened for something special. Everything has solution, except death. I also try to share my problems with other people who I think could advise or comfort me in those moments, reminding me that I am strong and that I have a God who sustains me. I think this could be compared to paragliding because I tried to minimize the problem to make it seem bigger.
I might try it someday; I hope I get the chance.
The importance of HOME
Farhad explored his options and, no matter what he achieved, he persisted in his dream. This is very positive because we need to focus on our dreams, and no matter how many times we fall, we need to get up. But it’s important not to close ourselves, because sometimes we need to let go desires that don’t come true no matter how much we want them, and instead, we must give an opportunity at new things.
I think that’s what happened to Farhad. He constantly compared his past life with his present, and it’s good that we desire the same things, but they won’t always happen. That’s when we must look toward new horizons and adapt, because the most important isn’t where or how, but that we continue to hold the essence that will help us feel it even when we don’t have what we wanted. It’s important to be grateful. JANNA
Тhe relationship between Farhad and his son 
Relationships can be between parents and children, between friends, between brothers and sisters. I would like to talk about my relationship with my friend. We have been friends for 60 years, since we started elementary school. Until we were 30, we were friends, meeting often and spending time together.
But then my friend with her family left the country. We lost contact because there was no online communication or social media at that time. After 10 years we found each other and started communicating via Skype, then visit each other. We value our relationship, although the last time we saw each other was several years ago. The success of our friendship lies in our mutual understanding and our support in difficult situations. Years of separation and long distances have not weakened our relationship.
The importance of HOME
At first Farhad tried to chip a huge rock. He hired people, then worked himself. He even advised to paragliding. So the problems would look small from a flying height. He also decided to build a house in another place with smaller rock.
The concept of HOME is also important in my culture. A large house can accommodate family members of three generations.
In villages, relatives often help each other build houses. The house is a family value. SHAVKAT
Ways to distract yourself from your PROBLEMS
I’ve never been interested in paragliding, and it doesn’t appeal to me. When I have problems, I usually go for a walk in the fresh air.
Sometimes I stop where there’s running water and pour out all my problems into the water. I feel like the water carries these problems away, and I feel better.
The importance of HOME
I understand Farhad’s decision to build a large house for his family because our cultures are very close In our mentality, having a large home is very important for adult parents, especially since children and grandchildren live close to their parents and visit them often.
A home unites several generations and strengthens family traditions. EVGENY
Paragliding
Risk gives Farhad a strong rush of adrenaline and endorphins. Making his life feel brighter and more exciting. When he goes paragliding, he feels freedom from the ground and from social rules. A true sense of independence!
As for me, I avoid such extreme sports, like paragliding, because of my naturally high level of anxiety.
Farhad’s story – Part 2
Farhad discovered old Native American drawings on a boulder on his property.
He knew they were important and decided not to disturb them. He set up a simple tent nearby where nature lovers could stay. He believed the place had a special energy.
He began renting it on Airbnb as a peaceful retreat for people seeking connection with nature. SABRINA
Getting away from problems
Exercising helps me forget my problems because it brings me back to the present moment. It helps me focus and clear my mind.
Driving while listening to music also helps me relax, and sometimes writing about things makes me feel better. I have never really thought about paragliding because I am truly afraid of heights. I think it looks beautiful, and in the city where I am from many people practice it. I have seen my cousins do it, but it is not something that makes me curious.
For me, relaxing activities need to feel safe, and being high above the ground would probably make me more anxious instead of relaxed.
The importance of HOME
I grew up in a house with my mother and my grandparents, who immigrated to Brazil from different regions of Spain in the 1950s. My mother, who was born in the 1960s, experienced cultural differences more strongly than I did, although she also lived in Spain for some years.
Being raised by someone who was raised by immigrants was sometimes confusing, because I often felt different from my grandparents, but also different from my friends and even from my husband.
At home there were strong traditions, including Spanish food, a stronger attachment to religion, and more rigid opinions about family and behavior. These values often contrasted with the culture I experienced outside the house. As an adult, especially after visiting Spain for the first time, I began to understand my grandparents better and the importance of cultural roots.
I believe that even when people live in another country, the way they were raised strongly influences how they see the world and how they raise the next generation. Younger members of my family tend to have a more flexible relationship with culture and traditions, while for me these differences have always felt more significant. Living in the United States, I often adapt to the local culture outside my home, while still carrying what I learned growing up. Although my friends in Brazil sometimes say I seem more “foreign” now, these changes do not weaken my connection to my family or my background, they simply show how identity continues to evolve over time. DARYA
FLIGHT
Since I was absent last session and didn’t see Farhad’s video, I can only speak about the conceptual importance of “flight” from an Iranian perspective.
In Iranian culture and mysticism, the greatest and most important journey is the inner journey. Perhaps this is the same in other cultures, though I cannot say for certain. The inner journey means coming to know yourself, understanding your feelings, thoughts, motivations, and the way you relate to yourself and the world around you. Its ultimate result is self-discovery and reaching a sense of freedom.
To reach this understanding, it is sometimes necessary to distance yourself and simply become a WITNESS. Being a witness means being an observer, watching yourself and everything connected to you, including your problems, from the outside, like an impartial observer. In this sense, flight takes on special significance, because it symbolizes a kind of liberation .A liberation from everything that keeps you bound.
When you create distance from yourself and your concerns, you are better able to understand their true importance. In this state, you are no longer entangled in the issue, instead you are simply witnessing it. This distance often makes problems appear smaller than they initially seem.
Personally, I have never experienced flying in a glider, I probably never will, because I am afraid of heights. However, I can clearly imagine that feeling of freedom.
To distract myself from my problems, I usually read books, as reading is my favorite pastime. However, sometimes I feel so upset that I cannot concentrate. In those moments , I close my eyes and imagine a documentary I have watched many times: The camera starts from a small point, then gradually pulls away, leaves the Earth , enters the solar system, and finally moves out toward galaxies.
At other times, I imagine myself as a wave that will soon become calm, or a single grain of sand among countless grains on a beach.
These images remind me how small I am in comparison to the vast universe. This realization helps me remember that everything is temporary and nothing lasts, not even me , not even my problems.
The importance of HOME
The concept of home has, in a way, lost its meaning for me. My husband and I decided that I would come and stay in the United States to create a sense of home for our children. Meanwhile, my husband continues living in Iran, in a house we worked for years to have together.
For me, these days, there is no real home. I feel like a divided being, half of me is in America, and the other half is in Iran.
Yet neither place feels like home anymore. Interestingly, I have come to terms with this situation. I have learned to cope with it and, in a way, I have grown used to it.
I guess I can call myself homeless or say I have two homes, though neither feels quite like home. ELENA
Paragliding and problems
I understand why Farhad enjoys paragliding. Flying must be amazing: beautiful, free, and incredible. I wanted to try it too.
In the early 2000s, I went with a group of friends to try paragliding with an instructor. A couple of my friends were able to fly, but when it was my turn, the wind suddenly picked up and my flight was canceled. We waited, hoping the weather would improve, but the wind didn’t stop. In the end, we were told it wasn’t safe to fly that day and were asked to come back another time.
But that next opportunity never happened for me.
So in my everyday life, I try to deal with stress by watching something funny or interesting online. After moving to America, I also found a new hobby — walking in the park. I really enjoy it. I live in a nice area, so I can often walk for hours in Riverside Park or Central Park.
These walks help me calm my thoughts and feel more peaceful.
The importance of HOME
For Farhad, like many Eastern men, building a house is very important. But while he is building the house, his son is already ready to move out and start his own life. So the simple question is: who is this house for?
The house was meant for the whole family, but it seems it is mostly needed by Farhad and his wife.
Children grow up and want to live their own lives.
For me, home is not just walls, but feelings: comfort, peace, warmth. It is a place where you can be yourself, where people understand and accept you. Home is a place you want to return to, where you can have a quiet dinner, talk, or just rest. Home is about feeling safe and being close to the people you love. HANNA
The younger generation
The problem between generations — fathers and children — has existed at all times. Parents, having life experience, always want to guide and correct their children’s thinking and actions. They try to protect them from decisions and steps that they believe to be wrong.
In the era of advanced technology, modern children choose freedom of thought and an innovative approach to life. The influence of digitalization shapes their worldview. However, excessive use often has a negative impact on their psycho-emotional well-being.
Farhad treats his son’s hobby with understanding.
The importance of HOME
Every nation has its own national and historical identity, culture, language, faith.
Farhad stands for family values based on traditions, customs, mutual understanding, and mutual respect. Back in his homeland, Farhad was used to living in his own house, where he had a garden and a farm. Living in an apartment in America made him feel uncomfortable, so he bought a plot of land at a low price, intending to build a house there for his wife.
He considered the problem of the large rock on the property solvable in the long term. He did not give up, tried different methods, and made attempts again and again.
A deeper meaning can be found in a particular episode of his life — when he decided to go paragliding despite warnings that flying was harmful at his age and that paragliding was only for the young. From above, when he looked at his problems, they seemed small and manageable.
Farhad’s life motto is: “Never give up, no matter how many times life knocks you down.” “A big rock becomes nothing. If you can rise above it, you can live better here.” “The rock will not prevent us from building our future.”
Farhad is persistent, goal-oriented, decisive, and analytical. These qualities will enable him to turn the plot of land into a business project, sell it at a higher price and buy another piece of land where he can build the house of his dreams. JORGE
Paragliding and problems
In the story about Farhad, I understand very well what he means when he says that problems look small when he is flying high.
I think problems or things that overwhelm us will always be there. They do not disappear completely. But sometimes we need a different perspective to feel stronger. When I watched the video about paragliding, I felt a sensation of relaxation. It looks very peaceful and beautiful. Seeing the mountains and the sky from above makes me think that a person can feel free for a moment. I believe that when we disconnect like that, we can reduce stress and renew our energy to face problems in a different way. For me, when I feel stressed, I try to listen to music, go for a walk, or just stay quiet and think. It helps me calm down. The problems are still there, but my mind feels clearer, and I can make better decisions.
About paragliding, yes, it really appeals to me. After watching the video, I felt like I would like to try it at least once in my life. It truly transmits peace and tranquility.
I imagine that flying in the sky, feeling the wind, and seeing everything from above must be an unforgettable experience.
One day, if I have the opportunity and the possibility, I will do it. I think it would be a beautiful way to feel free and alive, even if it is just for a few minutes.
The younger generation
I think this situation is very common in immigrant families. Children grow up in a new culture and they become part of it, even if they do not completely lose their roots. It can be difficult for parents because they were raised in a very different way.
In my family, I have noticed that the younger generation is more independent and more open in their ideas. They think differently about relationships, work, and freedom. For example, they want to move out of the house at a young age. they like different types of music, and they use technology all the time.
When I was younger, family traditions and staying close to home were more important.
I think Farhad tried to keep part of his Iranian traditions, but at the same time he supported his son in his dreams. He allowed him to have his band and to live separately. Maybe it was not easy for him at the beginning, but he understood that he is in a different country now.
He had to adapt to a more modern relationship with his son. SVITLANA
Paragliding and problems
When I first saw people who paraglide in the sky I was impressed and I thought how brave they are, how skilled they are and how focused they are in this process of controlling the flight. That’s why I suppose if you have to control so many things and automatically keep your body in the air, you just forget about a lot of problems and they seem so small during this fun experience – especially if you’re enjoying the beautiful views. So this exciting experience might be like meditation for Farhad.
The importance of HOME
In my opinion Farhad chose one of the more complicated ways to achieve his goal of owning a house, but I believe he will figure it out. I totally understand why he wanted to have his own property, cause it makes you more confident and secure, and it covers one of the most important basic human needs: safety. In my country people try to do the same: to have something of theirs. OLEG
Paragliding and problems
Farhad flies high in the sky. Problems go away up there. I like to play games to forget bad things. It helps me.
The importance of HOME
Farhad wants a big home for his wife. He works hard to fix problems. Home is cozy and safe for me. I love my home.