Joseph Freeman: Embracing Another Culture Makes Us Richer [Cultural Content Creator & Language Enthusiast, Australia]

Joseph Freeman Interview

 

For Joseph Freeman, language is far more than words—it is an invitation to listen, learn, and belong. From discovering Hindi more than two decades ago to celebrating India's many cultures through his content today, he continues to prove that curiosity may be one of humanity's most powerful forms of connection.

Q. Through your videos, we've gotten to know your love for languages and different cultures. But we'd love to know you beyond all of that. Who is Joseph Freeman, and how would you describe yourself?

I would describe myself as very fortunate because of the experiences I've had. From a young age, I wanted to travel, explore, and learn from the world around me, and life has been generous enough to give me opportunities to do exactly that.

I learnt very early on that being open to new experiences—and learning from other people—is one of the best ways to live. After many years of moving around, my partner and I returned to Australia four years ago to be closer to my family. While I'm incredibly grateful for that, I do miss feeling connected to the wider world.

Creating reels has unexpectedly given me that connection again. Through language and culture, I've been able to remain curious, continue learning, and feel part of communities that have shaped my life in meaningful ways.

Q. Your tagline in almost all of your videos is, "Mujhe Hindi bolna achha lagta hai," and what stands out is not just the language, but the genuine love and curiosity you have for it and the culture around it. How did this beautiful bond with Hindi begin?

I learnt my very first words in Hindi in 1998 while working in Hong Kong. After graduating from high school in Australia, I spent a year there doing voluntary work and happened to make many South Asian friends. I realised that Hindi was a language that connected people from different countries and backgrounds, and that fascinated me.

When I returned to Australia in 1999, I was fortunate to attend a university that offered Hindi and Urdu courses, despite there being only a small number of students interested in studying them. I enrolled immediately.

Over the years, I made several trips to India, and with every journey my appreciation for both the language and the culture continued to deepen. What began as curiosity slowly became something much more meaningful.

Q. You are not just a Hindi speaker, but someone who speaks multiple languages. We've also seen you sing a song in Nepali. What sparked this love and curiosity for languages?

As a young person, I didn't have much exposure to other languages. My grandmother spoke both Welsh and Norwegian, but she was incredibly humble and rarely spoke about her talents. I also attended a government school where opportunities for language learning were fairly limited.

Living in Hong Kong changed that completely. I discovered that I enjoyed learning languages and was able to pick them up quite naturally. More importantly, I realised that language has an extraordinary ability to create human connections.

I spent many years teaching English and picked up words and phrases from my students' languages along the way. Today, Hindi and English are the only languages I speak fluently, but my curiosity for language itself remains as strong as ever.

Q. You have explored many countries, cultures, and languages. What challenges did you face along this journey that shaped your experiences and the person you are today? We'd love to know your story.

Every move and every new beginning comes with some form of loss. I've had to start over several times in different countries throughout my life.

I wouldn't change any of it, but leaving behind friendships and communities has never become easier. There is always a sense of sadness that accompanies goodbyes.

Thankfully, social media has made it much easier to stay connected with people across borders. I think that's one of its greatest gifts—it allows relationships to continue growing, regardless of where life takes us next.

Q. India is known for its diverse festivals, traditions, and beautiful places. We'd love to know—what are some things about India that you personally enjoy the most, and is there any festival or place that holds a special place in your heart?

I could probably give you a very long list!

I lived for a year in a village called Jaswantgarh in Rajasthan and grew to love its culture, people, and desert landscape. It remains a very special place in my heart. Among my many travel memories in India, one of my favourites is spending several weeks travelling through Kinnaur and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh. It felt as though I had stepped into an entirely different world—the scenery was simply breathtaking.

I also have wonderful memories of celebrating Holi in Rajasthan. The village where I lived was quite conservative, but Holi transformed everything. People dressed up, danced, laughed, and celebrated together in ways I rarely saw throughout the rest of the year.

Bihu in Assam is equally special to me because that's where my in-laws live. I love the traditional music, dance, and food associated with the festival. People in Assam truly know how to celebrate.

Q. Your video recreating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's voice received a lot of love and recognition and was even featured by CNN. What inspired you to create that video, and what motivates you to keep sharing your stories and thoughts with people?

When I first heard that speech, I felt it described me in many ways. I feel very Australian, but so many parts of my life—from drinking chai to enjoying spicy food—are deeply influenced by India.

I wanted to make that video because I believe moving to another country doesn't mean giving up your own culture or traditions. We don't lose ourselves when we embrace another culture—we become richer because of it.

I originally began creating reels simply as a way to practice my Hindi. I don't use the language much at work or at home, so creating content became an enjoyable way to continue learning and improving.

At the same time, I also wanted to make my own small statement. There is a great deal of racism and hate online, much of it directed towards Indian people, and I find that deeply disturbing. Through my videos, I hope to contribute, in however small a way, to a different narrative—one rooted in curiosity, kindness, and mutual respect.

Q. Before we wrap up, we'd love to know a little more about the person behind the content. Is there a book, movie, or series that has stayed with you or that you would love to recommend to our readers?

I watch a lot of Hindi series, many of which I'm sure your readers already love. My personal favourite is Panchayat. It reminds me so much of my experience of moving to a village in Rajasthan for a year. So many of the characters and moments feel wonderfully familiar, and it never fails to make me laugh.

Last year, while travelling through Portugal with my family, I read Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire by Roger Crowley. I thought I already understood the history of the Portuguese presence in India, but the book revealed a story that was far more complex, violent, and ruthless than I had imagined.

I love books that challenge what I think I know. They remind me that there is always more to learn—and perhaps that's what has guided me throughout my life.

Bio

Joseph Freeman is an Australian language enthusiast, Cultural content creator, and former English teacher whose genuine love for languages and cultures has earned him a devoted audience across the globe. Best known for his heartfelt Hindi videos and deep appreciation for Indian traditions, Joseph has built a unique space where language becomes a bridge between people, cultures, and communities.

His journey with Hindi began in 1998 while doing voluntary work in Hong Kong, where he formed close friendships with South Asians and discovered the beauty of the language. That curiosity eventually led him to formally study Hindi at university in Australia, followed by several memorable journeys across India that only strengthened his connection with the country's people, culture, and way of life.

Over the years, Joseph has lived and worked in different parts of the world, embracing new cultures with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Whether it was starting life from scratch in a new country or leaving behind communities he had grown to love, every experience shaped his perspective and reinforced his belief that language has the power to create meaningful human connections.

Today, through his engaging videos, Joseph continues to celebrate linguistic diversity, encourage cultural understanding, and challenge stereotypes. Beyond creating content, he hopes to spread a simple yet powerful message - that embracing another culture never takes you away from your own identity; instead, it enriches it.

His work serves as a reminder that kindness, curiosity, and respect can connect people across borders in ways that words alone often cannot.

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Interviewed by Himanshi Bhatt