HIDDEN IMMIGRANTS AND CULTURAL CHAMELEONS Exploring Characteristics of the Global Nomad Community and the Dynamics of a Childhood Abroad Norma M. McCaig © 2006

I am a part of all that I have met; Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’ Gleams that untravell’d world whose margin fades For ever and for ever when I move. Tennyson’s Ulysses

Introductions  Name  Where you are from

Global Nomads: Persons who have lived abroad before adulthood because of a parent’s occupational choice.

Workshop Goals :  To raise awareness of the life-long impact of an internationally-mobile childhood  To explore ways global nomads can effect positive change on campus, locally, nationally and globally, and  To examine ways the university can respond to the global nomad student.

Global Nomads: Persons who have lived abroad before adulthood because of a parent’s occupational choice.  As a result of their internationally-mobile upbringing, many feel simultaneously part-of and apart-from all countries in which they live, including their country of passport, often having a greater sense of common culture with others who share their global nomad heritage.  During highly formative years before adulthood, many develop a transnational world view, heightened cross-cultural awareness and valuable intercultural skills in the process of adapting to each new geographic and cultural environment.

Global Nomad Identity Experiences  Cultural Chameleon Expatriate global nomad  Hidden Immigrant Repatriating global nomad  National “Plus”  Global Patriot  Cultural Sponge

Parents’ Culture(s) Culture B (C,D…) Adaptation To International Culture Global Nomad Cultural Identity Continuum Global Nomad Culture Global Nomad Cultural Identity Mainstream Cultural Values

Cultural Influences Cultural Influences Sponsoring community Extended Family Global nomad community Caregiver’s culture Expatriate community Host Countries School system/method THE GLOBAL NOMAD Parents’ Passport Culture(s)

POTENTIAL IMPACT Mobility  Sense of adventure/rootlessness/migratory instinct/setting down “tap root”  Willingness to risk or change/quick release  Hesitancy regarding commitment, choices, long- term planning  Enhanced social interaction skills/loose boundary control  Independent/isolated/unresolved grief

Factors Affecting The Global Nomad’s Experience of Grief and Loss ( Multiple moves ( Simultaneous farewells ( Intense emotions ( Unresolved grief ( Loneliness ( Powerlessness ( Sense of Finality ( Losses before adulthood

POTENTIAL IMPACT International Intercultural Interaction  Appreciation of diversity (often seek it)  Enhanced linguistic ability/grammatically challenged  Heightened crosscultural awareness/intercultural communication skills Ability to suspend judgment/view all sides/ per- ceived as being non-committal or ambivalent  Broad world view/perceived as unpatriotic  Constructive identity/ambiguous cultural identity  Often more “at home” abroad or with reference group (global nomads)/feel negatively marginalized in passport country

Using the Gifts of this Heritage How can the global nomad’s global awareness and intercultural skills be put to best use on campus and beyond?

Developing Global Nomad Programs and Services How can the University effectively respond to the global nomad student?  Develop departmental responses  Provide appropriate materials and programs  Educate faculty and staff

Resources  Articles  Bibliographies  Organizations  Websites

Workshop Conclusion  Insights  Comments  Suggestions Norma M. McCaig © 2006