Managing Transitions, Adjustments and Culture Shock Bumps Along the Way Managing Transitions, Adjustments and Culture Shock

What grades are your children in? Your name What grades are your children in? How long have you been in St. Petersburg? Where were you living before? How many international moves have you had? 10 minutes 5 minute discussion – 5 minute feedback

Why are we here? Your expectations and hopes for this workshop 5 minutes

Agenda Introductions Expectations for this Workshop Definition of Culture Shock One model: The “U” Curve Bumps Along the Way – Activity Ideas to help with your Transition How can you support your children How we support you kids at school How can you help? Closing and Feedback 2 minutes

Culture Shock A few definitions: Culture Shock refers to the feelings of distress and unease when being exposed to a foreign culture. A condition of confusion and anxiety affecting a person suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar culture or environment. A communication problem that involves the frustrations that come from the lack of understanding of the verbal and nonverbal communication of the new culture, its customs and its value systems. Not knowing how to ask for cheese at the grocery store. 1 minute

The “U Curve” U-Curve: Stages of Adjustment Home Country Host Country Pre-departure Honeymoon Disintegration Reintegration Autonomy Independence U-Curve: Stages of Adjustment Adapted from “Orientated for Success”, edited by M. Barker 5 minutes

ACTIVITY BUMPS ALONG THE WAY 60 minutes Visualisation – 5 minutes Choosing cards 10 minutes Sharing 15 minutes Writing tools on paper 10 minutes Making boats 10 minutes Putting boats on water and sharing 10 minutes ACTIVITY BUMPS ALONG THE WAY

Ideas for you… Realize that what you are experiencing is normal Look for the humor in things Do something nice for yourself – take care of your needs Stay in contact with good friends and extended family Start a web log or make a scrapbook Avoid negative-thinking people Exercise Get involved with the school or parent groups Speak with someone who is going through or has been through the cycle Talk to school staff Learn about the curriculum Remember your skills, strengths and resources 5 minutes

Sharing Ideas… In pairs discuss ideas and strategies that you have found helpful when moving with your children… past and present 10 minutes

How to help your children Be sure to look after yourselves Both parents should display a positive yet realistic attitude, as this resonates within the family Be a role model for appropriate ways to handle feelings Talk openly and acknowledge feelings Involve your children in the move as early and as much as possible 10 minutes

Try to maintain daily routines, and maybe add one. Remember that the concerns of children differ from those of parents. Encourage both maintaining old friendships and making new ones

Encourage your children to be involved in their new communities LISTEN, be patient, empathize, and do not underestimate the stress of your child. Be aware that children adapt to new environments at different rates Look for warning signs of children not adjusting well Laugh early and often Take a creative lead in exploring the new environment and culture. Fight the urge to totally ‘clean house.’

What do we do to support your children? Understanding and supportive faculty Peer helpers New Student Check-in Open Door Two-way communication Use your School Counselor 5 minutes

Resources for you… Books The Expert Expatriate, Your Guide to Successful Relocation Abroad by Melissa Brayer Hess and Patricia Linderman, Intercultural Press, Yarmouth, ME, USA, 2002. A Broad Abroad: The Expat Wife's Guide to Successful Living Abroad, by Robin Pascoe, Expatriate Press, Vancouver, Canada, 2009. Families on the Move, by Marion Knell, Monarch Books, London, UK, 2001. Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere: Insights into Counseling the Globally Mobile by Lois J. Bushong, Mango Tree Intercultural Services, Indianapolis, USA, 2013. Third Culture Kids, the Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds by David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken, revised edition Nicholas Brealey, Boston, MA, 2009. Raising Global Nomads by Robin Pascoe, Expatriate Press, Vancouver, Canada, 2006. Expat Teens Talk by Dr. Lisa Pittman and Diana Smit, Summertime Publishing, Great Britain, 2012. Home Keeps Moving by Heidi Sand-Hart, McDougal Publishing, 2010. The Global Nomad’s Guide to University Transition, by Tina Quick, Summertime Publishing, 2010.

Websites, Films and Magazines TCKid.com - www.tckid.com - A non-profit community of over 21,000 members dedicated to help third culture kids connect and find a sense of belonging. So Where’s Home? A Film About Third Culture Kid Identity from Adrian Bautist. https://vimeo.com/41264088 The Road Home film. http://roadhomefilm.com/ Among Worlds Magazine by Interaction International - addresses adult TCK (ATCK) issues. https://www.interactionintl.org/amongworlds.asp Interact Magazine by Interaction International - magazine for TCKs, their parents. https://www.interactionintl.org/interact.asp International Family Magazine - www.internationalfamilymag.com where family members worldwide can share their stories. Denizen Magazine – online magazine for and about and written by TCK. http://denizenmag.com/

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