EXCLUSIVE VIP LAUNCH PREVIEW: 3 17 18 spring 2018 issue

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THE TIN

WOMAN

DEIDRE HARDIN ADULT MILITARY B.R.A.T. JEWLERY DEISGNER EXTRAODINAIRE

SHANGAI STREET CAT Lessons on Hidden Diversity and Perception

EXTREME ADVENTURE

KENYA - TRIP OF A LIFETIME

OLYMPIC BOUNTY

CROSS-CULTURAL ATHLETES WIN BIG

WEDDINGS!

OF THE GLOBALLY MOBILE

WELCOME

HOME CULTURALLY OR GLOBALLY MOBILE? FIND YOUR PLACE HERE. JOURNALISM AND MEDIA COMMUNICATION

TABLE OF C FEATURES

52 Jewlery designer Extraordinare Adult Military B.R.A.T. Deidre Hardin could have laid down, shriveled up, hid away from sight. Instead, she’s an inspiration to all who have dealt with chronic disease.

Let her inspiration inspire you – and look good in the process.

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Extreme Adventure Our crew made an epic journey to Kenya, Africa and reveled in all it had to offer: from food to yoga, safari to outdoor adventure and beach relaxation. We brought some of it to share with you...

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66 Third Culture Love Story Like Many Third Culture Kids, Hardin and her husband had a couple gorounds before the start of their decades-strong relationship. Not only does Deidre inspire in career and health, but also in love.

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Explore Kenya Review our map of Kenya to see the many exotic locations on our list – and decide where your vicarious journey should begin.

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94 Weddings of the Globally Mobile These photo essays show the magnificence of the culturally fluid in how they exemplify the glory of love.

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Life-Changing Holiday A family vacation more than seven thousand miles from home miraculously morphed into a new life in a faraway land and thousands of lives changed.

CONTENTS 16

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Olympic Runners What is it that makes Kenyan distance runners among the world’s best? Olympic medalists dish their secrets.

Kenyan Safari Join us for an epic journey through three of Kenya’s stunning national parks.

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CultursCelebrates!: Theme Kenya From fuel for athletics, to family dinners – enjoy these traditional Kenyan dishes that will leave guests coming back for more.

Must Visit Enjoy one of the best views from the newest luxury hotel in the heart of Kenya.

Destination Kenya More than wildlife and nightlife, take a gander at the beach, port, mountain and lake life that make every corner of this country an epic experience.

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Shanghai Street Cat Lessons in hidden diversity and perception from the unlikeliest of places.

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TABLE OF C DEPARTMENTS

CAREERS 107 - Expat Doris Fullgrabe’s encouraging message, “Just pick up a pen.”

FASHION 52 – Copper Signatures original art jewelry 76 – Pattern designer Amy Sia goes global 77 – BritKenyan sibling Jewelry designers ZikoAfrica FOOD 36 – CULTURS CELEBRATES! Traditional Foods of Kenya MUSIC 88 – Breakout Ghanaian Music Artist Mawule

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CONTENTS RELATIONSHIPS

TRAVEL 40 – Explore Kenya 42 – Adventure Safari 78 – Gelian Hotel, Machakos 102 – Destinations

66 – Third Culture Love Story A cross-cultural love story for the ages (sometimes one look is all it takes).

PEOPLE 84 – A military B.R.A.T. and civil service B.R.A.T. tie the knot on a lush Colorado Day at the Botanic Gardens in Denver.

67 - Following the Culturally Mobile: Florence Chabert d’Hieres- from India to France.

82 – TCK Myra Diaumpais, Purveyor of Passions

90 – Celebrated Seoul, South Korea hosts the historic and futuristic vows of two of the city’s finest.

PHILANTHROPY 32 – Africa Yoga Project

LIFESTYLE

COLUMNISTS

70 – The Must List: Cool things you need in your life (Specifically curated for the culturally mobile)

68 – Life Coach 69 – Global Storytelling for Global Development IN EVERY ISSUE

SPORTS 34 – Olympic Runners, Why Kenyans are the best

8 – Publisher’s Desk 14 – Contributors 70 – Must List 106 – Behind the Scenes 7

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W WELCOME BIENVENIDO - BIENVENUE - WILLKOMMEN - BINVIGNUT - BENVENUTI - NAMASTE - FAILTE

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can’t tell you how excited I am to bring you the FIRST EVER print publication of Culturs – the global, multicultural magazine that celebrates cross-cultural excellence. The missing “e” in Culturs is deliberate – a nod to the “hidden diversity” of our population: one of liminal or “inbetween” identities.

Culturs content straddle

caters to lifestyle for those who culture, race, ethnic

ity, nations (global destinations) and locations (intra-national). We grow up on a foundation of beach sand instead of concrete, and often are better for it – especially when we possess tools to navigate our everchanging environs. Culturs intends to provide some of those tools.

Visit us online to access thousands of stories, videos, infographics, resources and other tools and to connect with your community!

As an Afro-Latina who grew up on five continents and amidst seven cultures (which many consider privileged, without regard to immigrant, refugee or unresolved grief status that may accompany these situations) leaves me FASCINATED with perception and dimensionality vs. duality.

It’s amazing to see where each of us (myself included) may create judgement, and how often we leave little space for the fluidity of our situations, including our own identities. We don’t live in a binary world, for the most part anyway, so why do we hold ourselves to black and white standards? Our world

is full of color, and multiplicity and character – and my hope is that Culturs helps bring more of that to the forefront.

creations a walking work of art.

Better navigate the terms we use in each issue with our Power of Language feature (page 79), which provides in-between terminology in Culturs commits to bringing the a colourful infographic intended to PEOPLE, PLACES AND PRODUCTS make understanding easier. that help you unleash your personal POWER. Power that comes from One of my favorite spreads this embracing the in-between... It’s issue is the juxtaposition of our intention to build a community personality through the perception where you feel you can belong – one of a Shanghai Streetcat (page 16) with others like you, others who and three different dimensions of understand. Our details may not be our in-between population. And the same, but our experiences make it is especially heart-warming to us similar, and from there empathy feature culturally fluid weddings grows. Here is where I hope to that mark the diversity of love in our create a place for you : a place in population (pages 90-101). which “where are you from,” and “what are you” are questions less Beyond that, check out the people, frequented or, at the very least, don’t services, products and so much feel micro-aggressive. more that we hope helps you relate, elevate and relax into a world filled In each issue, we’ll take a deep dive with “uniquely you” souls who get it. into one of our world’s amazing And get you. cultures as they currently stand, before globalization threatens to I also invite you to visit us online make us one homogenous blend of at cultursmag.com to submit your sameness. suggestions for features, products, stories, suggested “destination In this inaugral issue, we celebrate features” and more! And to connect Kenya with dozens of pages of photo with us at our many social connection spreads, descriptions, features, points (see below) as we’d love to people and destinations to bring you hear from you, and feature you, your into the less touristy side Kenyan business, organization, product or culture with locals as our guides. items of interest to our community in an upcoming issue.

Starting on page 40 - in bold, beautiful color, we celebrate the My most gracious thanks to you artistry of jewlery created by in- for coming along for the ride. I look betweener and Military B.R.A.T. forward to having you as part of the Deidre Hardin– who uses her art family. to honor her heart donor, celebrate creativity and make every one Welcome home, who adorns themselves with her

Doni, Founder and Publisher Cultursmag.com

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Twitter: @cultursmag Instagram: @cultursmag Facebook: @culturs.guru

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★ Broadcast on Armed Forces Network TV ★ Featured on CNN’s This Week at War ★ Featured on NPR’s All Things Considered “... every time I watch this movie I cry because I know someone in this world knows how I feel.”

- Melissa Hill, Military Brat

“No other documentary better depicts the social and psychological impact on children and adolescents at the intersection of two powerful social institutions - the military and the family.”

- Dr. Morten Ender, Sociology Prof.

US Military Academy, West Point

Filmed over 7 years, BRATS: Our Journey Home is a unique and powerful award-winning documentary about the legacies of growing up in an American military family.

Written and directed by Army brat Donna Musil, BRATS is narrated and features songs by the legendary singer/ songwriter Kris Kristofferson, son of an Air Force general.

Based on over 500 poignant and provocative interviews with adult military “brats” of all ages, races, ranks, and branches of service, including the late General Norman Schwarzkopf and author Mary Edwards Wertsch.

A timeless and powerful tool for debate and reflection on the positive and painful impact of war, international mobility, and the pressures of patriotism and belonging on a child’s heart, soul, and mind.

“Your film moved me a great deal...

It will be a great help to military brats growing up today.”

- Pat Conroy, The Great Santini, The Prince of Tides

“It changed my life.”

- Julie Jacobs, Military Brat

“All I can say is ‘wow’... I hope every military member has the chance to see this film and realizes how special their families are.”

- MSgt. Michael Bovo, Camp Fallujah, Iraq

Buy the DVD for $19.95! www.bratswithoutborders.org/brats-film/

Subject Areas:

Children, Youth & Families; Sociology; Psychology; Social Work; Military Family Studies; US History; Mental Health; Ethnic Studies; Education; PTSD

Length:

90 minutes

UPC #094922556004

Licenses: Individual - $19.95; University/ Corporation - $250.00; K-12/Public Library $150.00 (institutional includes public performance rights) Contact: +1 (855) 872-2728 P.O. Box 9186, Denver, CO 80209-0186 www.bratswithoutborders.org

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Social Media: Mike Miller Tayo Rockson

SPRING 2018 Volume 1, Issue 1 Publisher and Founder Donnyale Ambrosine

Advisory Board Donna Musil Gregory Moore Ruth VanReken Meme Agency

Senior Editor Tammy Matthews Director of Sales Jill Goldberg

Special Thanks to: Amboseli National Park,

Kenya Wildlife Services, Kenya Department of Journalism and Media Communications,

Colorado State University Mr. Alphonse Kioko,

Gelian Hotel, Machakos, Kenya Mr. Evans Kavisi,

Gelian Hotel, Machakos, Kenya Mr. Patrick Sang, Athlete coordination Nairobi National Park,

Kenya Wildlife Services, Kenya Tsavo National Park,

Kenya Wildlife Services, Kenya Nandi Tea, Rift Valley, Kenya

Kenya Production Ms. Chumba Limo Mrs. Angeline C. Limo and Mr. Francis Limo Kollum Production Kim Blumhardt International Liaisons Chumba Limo Aisha Jama London Office: Crystal McDonald

www.Cultursmag.com Video editors: Olive Ancell Elliot Foust Kelsey Hatcher Ram Productions Stefan Rodriguez

Contributing Editors and Writers: Olive Ancell Alicia Bonilla Sara Bushnaq Xiaoya Cheng Courtney Deuschle Doris Fullgrabe Anna Groeling Samantha Malpiedi Nicole Parra Joanna Pierce Allie Ruckman Elissa Wageck

For Subscriptions, visit www.Cultursmag.com Copyright Culturs Global Philanthropic Lifestyle Network. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without express written concent is strictly prohibited.

Columnists: Michele Davenport Claudia Koerbler

Simply Alive LLC does not assume responsibility for the advertisements, nor an representation made therein, nor the quality or deliverability of the products themselves. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts, photographs, and other material submitted. Culturs makes every effort to provide accurate information in advertising and editiorial content, however, does not make any claim as to the accuracy of information provided by advertisers or editorial contributors and accepts no responsibility or liability for inaccurate information.

Graphic Design: Norbis Magallanes Photography: Donnyale Ambrosine Xiaoya Cheng Karishma Day Elliot Foust Xavier Hadley Coverstory: Photography – Chris Booth Hair – Tim O’Neal Makeup – Amiyah Cleveland, Studio21 Fashion – IMT Designs by Andre Terry Jewelry – Copper Signatures Interns: Anna Groeling Nicole Parra Sydney Shalz Taylor Rauch Tamia – Hawaii Renee Ormond

Culturs is printed on recycled postconsumer waste paper using soy based inks. Our printer meets or exceeds all Federal Resource Recovery Act (RCRA) Standards.

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Complete

the Puzzle Diverse People. Exotic Locations. Local Customs. A sense of belonging.

Culturs Magazine is part of a Philanthropic Lifestyle Network that represents those in-between races, ethnicities, nations or locations.

Whether you identify as racially-blended, culturally-fluid, a Third Culture Kid, Expat, Military Brat, or anything in between...

at Culturs, we speak your language.

Welcome Home.

of

You

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CONTRIBUTORS Olive Ancell With passion for Journalism and Media Communications, Olive Ancell is a Third Culture Adult and content creator who is passionate about social and cultural differences that have the potential to bring the world’s people together. She has traveled to nine countries, which has influenced her love of travel and the desire to share unique world perspectives that can offer unlimited opportunities to connect people in different ways. Her talents in content creating include photography, videography, writing, and multiple art mediums. Ancell believes the power of media is one of the most powerful tools for international awareness and communication, which can be utilized or abused. Olive is determined to be a part of a larger picture, in which the use of media for coverage ranging from hyper-local to international is encouraged to celebrate and elevate diversity and all of the Earth’s spectacular cultures.

Alicia Bonilla Is a Colorado native with a diverse ethnic background on both sides of her family. Bonilla has been involved in multiple organizations including Confluence Ministries and Young Life, serving as a mentor specifically geared toward minorities and inner city kids on a weekly basis.

Bonilla has been fascinated with learning about other cultures since her experience with mission trips to developing countries and her study abroad experience in Europe. Her writing 14

began as a personal passion, later igniting the desire to share with others around topics people from all corners of the world may find interest in. Bonilla enjoys recording her global experiences through personal journals and social media platforms.

Sara Bushnaq As a multicultural woman, Bushnaq, is exposed to the idea of belonging to more than one community. Her Passions include traveling, photography, and human beings. She is not afraid to be thrown in the unknown because that’s when she feels most learning is accomplished.

Bushnaq comes from Syrian and Saudi Arabian origins and is always seeking a holistic way of life, which Culturs can provide.

Xiaoya Cheng Xiaoya Cheng is very passionate about what she covers in media because she believes her personal multi-cultural experiences may help her to understand the global culture and provide a more comprehensive understanding of global culture to readers. The impact of global multiculturalism is relevant to readers and also associated with Cheng’s personal life as a TCK. She aims to put more eyes on TCKs’ development as it may appeal to readers since the TCK population is increasing rapidly and has a significant impact to society. Culturs Magazine is the perfect avenue to do this as it integrates Cheng’s study of media & film as well as the system of publications as a whole.

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Michele Davenport Michele Davenport, CPCC, PCC,is an executive coach and personal strategist, who designs and facilitates programs in coaching, communication and leadership effectiveness for individuals and organizations committed to optimizing potential and growth. As Principal and Founder of Mosaic Coaching Solutions (MCS), Davenport employs the Co-Active model to inspire her clients to engage more deeply and intentionally in every aspect of their lives. The focus is on discovering the whole person, and how their habits, patterns of interaction, performance and productivity in the workplace and beyond, inform their behavior and choices. Her approach includes a proven threephased process of heightening self-awareness, developing a strategy, and implementing accountability systems to achieve transformative and sustainable change. Her client list includes groups and individuals from Deloitte Consulting, Creative Arts Agency (CAA), Facebook, Wells Fargo, Kipp: Bay Area Schools, Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, HBO, The Partnership, Inc., Visa International and more.

Courtney Deuschle Was born and raised in Colorado, USA. Although her biggest move was just across town, she has left her footprint in many countries all over the world. As she grew up and found her identity, she developed a passion for two things: writing and traveling. As a Third Culture Adult (TCA), her wanderlust has created an open

mind where she loves to learn and experience cultures completely different from her own. On the outside, people see a blonde haired, blue eyed, American girl, but they don’t know about her most cherished experiences, which also have shaped her into the person she is today. Deuschle plans to continue traveling for the rest of her life, and even sees herself living in another country someday.

Doris Fullgrabe Is a German-born multinational expat. She has over 10 years experience in leadership development, culture, and personality type coaching for expats and international teams, and is currently exploring creative avenues. Doris lives in New York City with her Spanish husband.

awareness education began at age fifteen when she traveled to five different countries including parts of Europe, Mexico and Kenya and ended living in Chile at age 21. From these experiences, she developed love for travel and appreciation for culture. Fluent in English and Spanish, she thrives in environments where communication spans cultures.

Never complacent to stay in one place, her articles will interest anyone that might resonate with a restless nomad, hungry for a taste of travel.

Tammy Matthews A native Chicagoan, Matthews worked in major-market print media for nearly 15 years. Most notably, she was as an editor for the Chicago Sun-Times. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of MissouriAnna Groeling Columbia’s School of Journalism A Colorado native, studied and her master’s degree from Journalism & Communications Colorado State University’s at Colorado State University. Department of Journalism and She corresponded for Culturs Media Communication. in Granada, Spain to solidify Spanish minor. Follow her as she Now, as a doctoral student at the writes about Spain, health and University of Colorado Boulder her personal experiences abroad. in the College of Media, Communication and Information, Kahlea Khabir Matthews unites her passions Is a senior at Colorado State — sport, media, language and University majoring in Ethnic gender — in her primary research, Studies and Sociology. which focuses on historical and She has an interest in capturing contemporary representations of the essence of diversity and transgender athletes in domestic inclusion through an international and international sport media. lens, focusing her studies on the Her additional interests are in African Diaspora. She is currently education, global and domestic studying abroad in Brazil and culture, new media, interpersonal plans to head to Cuba in the relationships, travel, art, spring. technology and business. Last year, Matthews sailed with and Samantha Malpiedi worked for Semester at Sea (SAS), Samantha Malpiedi is a Third Culture Adult (TCA) who is Nicole Parra especially interested in current Nicole Parra believes everyone issues around the world that affect has a story. She has a passion people and the way they make for all things food, fashion, and their livelihoods. Her cultural culture. As a Mexican-American, 15

she has experienced life traveling in between cultures. Ultimately, Parra believes diversity enriches life experiences.

Joanna Pierce Joanna Pierce is a Domestic Third Culture Kid who grew up in six different states throughout the U.S. She is passionate about the arts and their ability to create community. She loves to travel, read, and watch Spongebob.

Allie Ruckman Allie Ruckman is a writer, content-creator, artist, marketer and a creative in every sense of the word. She is from Boulder, Colorado, and draws inspiration for her work from the casual, outdoor environment that is unique to the western United States. She is passionate about liberal politics, environmental, social and racial justice, and loves to write in the pursuit of a better, more equal world.

While she is less experienced in global travel or multiculturalism, Ruckman seeks to value, respect and represent all peoples, places and cultures.

Elissa Wageck Colorado is what most people might consider my “home.”

However, I was born and raised from California and that is where I feel that I belong even though I have not lived there since the age of 11. Each state has their own culture and I hold both Californian and Coloradan culture. Once I begin to travel the rest of the world, the more I am able learn and the more I can share with society and the people around me. After traveling and truly experiencing the world, I will one day return “home.”

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LESSONS IN HIDDEN DIVERSITY AND PERCEPTION FROM A SHANGHAI STREET CAT Story and photos by Xiaoya Cheng

not a cat person before I met Mimi. She’s surely an interesting cat, a beautiful cat, a different cat, a cat that filters through my mind when I am away from home.

I’m not as clingy as a pet cat. I’m wandering on the street. I don’t belong to anyone. I belong to the earth.

This is a street cat in Shanghai - her name is Mimi.

I had been feeding her for more than seven years before leaving Shanghai for studies in the United States.

When I was 13 years old, my family moved to a new house and I saw this little cat hiding under a big leaf. She was too afraid to come out, yet kept meowing. I thought she was hungry, so I took a sausage from our fridge and fed her. When she moved her skinny legs and came out, she rubbed my leg and ran away immediately when I started moving.

I’m seriously allergic to cats. I tried to take her into our house, but it turned into a tragedy. Based on different circumstances, I came to know that she was still a street cat.

I’m not an owner but a feeder. After struggling for a long time because I couldn’t really own Mimi (I named her), I gradually found out it might be best for her. I might not give her the best food and the comfiest bed in the world. But she’s the luckiest because she’s free. In the place where I come from, most people don’t like street cats. Cats are like rats because they’re everywhere

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and may bring diseases.

People stereotype street cats.

CHUMBA’S STORY This made me wonder about human perceptions and stereotypes. I asked Chumba Limo her thoughts.

Limo is a third-culture adult (TCA) who’s from Kenya and has lived in the United States for a decade. “They’re normal and inevitable,” she said. “The only way to curb the negative effects of stereotypes is through fostering a culture that celebrates and embraces everybody’s differences, and in the process potentially slow down the rate at which we humans pass judgement and write each other off.” Limo appreciates living in the U.S. because she likes to immerse herself in new cultures.

“The beauty of this country — and more so the higher education system — is the fact that these institutions invest heavily on attracting international talent and encouraging people to share their culture,” she said. She relayed her experiences of participating in

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Diwali, Eid al-Fitr and Chinese New Year celebrations, exhibiting that she truly is a global citizen.

“Being a global citizen has literally changed how I think and process information,” she shared. She has experienced what most people may have not as she is willing to connect with people. She embraces differences.

S Her experiences determine her hidden diversity, and this hidden diversity built her. I’m inspired, and I asked her the differences between the real her and other people’s perceptions. She said: “I am who I am. I’m pretty consistent with who I am. What people see is usually an accurate depiction of who I really am. I think a strength of mine is that I am able to bring out and appreciate other people’s hidden diversities. I’m not you, and you’re not me. The same skin color, the same race and the same language doesn’t mean we are the same. Hidden diversity is not deeply hidden. As long as we let go of judgments, stereotypes, perceptions and bias, we can know, understand and appreciate a human and humanity”.

Similiar to Chumba, Mimi is consistent — and she’s herself.

“The same skin color, the same race and the same language doesn’t mean we are the same”

I don’t have disease…You don’t need to detest me.

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Dog says: “You love me so much, you give me food and bed, you must be my god!”

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Cat says: “You love me so much, you give me food and bed, I must be your god.”

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SMITHA’S STORY I mentioned that I couldn’t keep Mimi because of my allergy.

The biggest concern was that she’s ultimately a street cat - it’s hard to make her a home cat.

the local place and hence that part of me that was Indian got hidden...”

Day was born in India, lived in several countries growing up as her parents chose to build their career overseas.

She couldn’t fit in the environment She moved to the Middle East that has the opposite style of living. around age three, and then on to Zaire at five and lived there until Taking away her natural instincts 14 years of age. At 18, she came and freedom sounds cruel. to the U.S. for undergraduate Another reason was, my parents studies. “I attended International were not welcoming to a street cat schools which contributed to my like Mimi. understanding of a global world,” she said. Smitha currently is the The theme of being “welcome” Executive Director of Global hits home through the story of Bridges, a non-profit organization Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK) that focuses on the mental health Smitha Day, whose upbringing of international students in the presented challenges: “The U.S. Talking about perception, challenges included not being fully Smitha said she taught herself to understood and accepted in my work through her own immediate birth country both by family and perceptions and stereotypes by the society at large. getting to know the individual, because no one wants people to And by accepted, I mean there was have negative perceptions. an expectation I dress and sound like the larger community. When Though she points out that having living abroad, I learned languages perceptions and stereotypes is not and accents to fit in...what this did all bad. It helps have a beginning was let people assume I was from reference, but it becomes 24

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Smitha Day with daughter Karishma.

dysfunctional if we use those perceptions to cloud our ability to understand or make negative or positive assumptions about people based on what category we think they belong in. In today’s diverse society, it’s very important to embrace diversity and embed a range of cultures, to achieve this goal, everyone needs to have the awareness of avoiding negative perception. We should always try not to follow the stereotypes, instead, thinking objectively.

Mimi’s life is a metaphor for such objective thinking. She is no ordinary cat – flouting the feline stereotypes of selfish, aloof and antisocial behavior.

I’ve seen so many sides of her. She could catch rats, she could also sit quietly and look at me just wanting a treat. She could be a responsible mother; She could also be like a kid, rubbing my leg just because she wanted to be touched. She could teach us so much about how to treat each other– objectively. As humans.

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KARISHMA’S STORY Karishma Day knows about flouting stereotypes herself.

A biracial TCK who is half East Indian and half Caucasian, she was born in Kentucky and raised in California for most of her life, yet also spends time in her mother’s homeland. She shares how crossing cultures has benefits: “Growing up in different cultures has helped me to open up my mind with other cultures. I want to continue to travel the world to explore places I haven’t seen. I even try to learn a different language every time I get the chance. Being a CCK has also helped me adapt to different cultures, and bring different cultures together.”While, because of her biracial background, she was questioned by people around her all the time. “One difficult part I have as a biracial person is that everyone wants to put you in the box,” shebemused.

People always assume she’s one race whether it’s because of her accent, clothes, skin color, or even eye color. “When I go to India, people always assume I’m only Caucasian.

They always say my skin is too light and my eyes are too light to be Indian. It hurts me and make me angry. Stereotyping is something we are trying to fight against in India.”Even with the challenges of being a biracial TCK, she wouldn’t trade it for the world. In exchange, she gets to experience the world.

She keeps learning and adapting different cultures. “I have traveled to too many places to call one place 28

a home,” she bemused.

Remember the small white cat I showed earlier? I named him Gump, because he liked running, like Forrest Gump. He always ran though my yard back and forth. I put a bell on his neck. Every day I heard the bell ringing I knew he was around me - lively and energetic. One day, I could never hear that vivid bell sound any more. Gump had died after being bit by a Huskie. Struggling on the floor, dying. The owner of the Huskie didn’t say anything.

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She went away, with her cutie pet dog. The shaping of perception often stems from stereotypes.

Relying on an inaccurate stereotype will usually reduce the accuracy of a person’s perception, which may explain why any influence of a stereotype on perception creates bias that leads people astray. If we’ve learned anything from Mimi the street cat and her son Gump - it is to let go of stereotypes and embrace diversity in all its forms.

For one never knows what beauty can be uncovered, if we only open our minds...

Hello, as you can see I’m a white cat, but my mom is not. You know what!

She’s the most beautiful lady in the world

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Life Changing Holiday Paige Ellenson’s unexpected path from Manhattan’s Wall Street to the streets of Nairobi

L

ittle did Paige Elenson’s parents know that trip to Kenya, Africa would change their daughter’s life. As a teenager on safari with her father, Elenson was intrigued by young men doing handstands in the middle of Kenya’s Amboseli National Park .

inspired to teach yoga full time.

This unlikely meeting would spark Africa Yoga Project, a Kenya-based empowerment initiative using the power of yoga to affect change.

bodies; when we’re experiencing heartbreak; when we’re experiencing celebration, we’re all the same. We’re all the same at our basic level,” She emphasized.

“Africa Yoga Project really started with a handstand,” said Ellenson, who is the co-founder and director of Africa Yoga Project (AYP).

A yoga instructor from New York “Starting Africa Yoga Project, I’ve City, Ellenson jumped out of realized the true meaning of yoga her vehicle and asked the young – that yoga really is a practice that men if they’d do handstands with takes us to understand that we her. What she didn’t know was really all are the same at our basic these young men lived in one of level.”

Kenya’s informal settlements and performed acrobatics as a means No matter if I’m from New York of supporting themselves. They City, on Wall Street or live in an became fast friends and Ellenson informal settlement without a eventually returned to Kenya, toilet, when we’re moving our

From one tiny room with 50 people “squished with people doing yoga in the bathrooms in the hallways,” three years prior, AYP was able to open its own space, called the Shine Center. Eight years after it began, the project empowers more than a quarter million Kenyans each year through the power of yoga.

With almost 100 local teachers and many volunteers, AYP is making impact, and giving back to the Kenyan community, the economy and its people.

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Africa Yoga Project teachers teach for free in some of Kenya’s poorest areas, fueled by donations, grants and paid teaching from the more fortunate of Kenyan society.

James “Jomo,” also teaches in the communities around Nairobi and does private training with the skills he learned at AYP. “I really take it as a big inspiration for life. It’s a big step forward – it changed my life,” “When people think about being he said. of service in Africa, a lot of time the question I’ll get is ‘why yoga?’ According to its website, AYP’s People need food, people need core weekly activities include: housing, there’s war – what is yoga yoga practice, meditation, selfgoing to do,” Ellinson asks. But in exploration through inquiry, a community with an 80 percent performing arts as a vehicle for youth unemployment rate, AYP empowerment, health education has created thousands of jobs.

(HIV/AIDS), relationship building, and community activism.

Millie Weke is an instructor at All programs are designed to AYP’s Shine Center in Nairobi, increase physical, emotional and Kenya. AYP trained her to be a mental wellbeing on the individual teacher free of charge, and now level while also building healthy Weke gives back to her community. and empowered communities.

She aspires to own a yoga studio herself.

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Phil anth ropy

Africa Yoga Project Changing lives through the practice of yoga The Africa Yoga Project’s vision is to inspire and empower individuals through the restoring practice of yoga.

Besides yoga, AYP offers meditation, health education, relationship building, community activism, self-exploration, and empowerment through The Kenyan organization’s performing arts.

9trained and dedicated yoga instructors hold hundred classes AYP partners with many other a week in prisons, schools, rural organizations such as Baptiste villages, HIV/AIDS support Power Yoga Institute, I Love Yoga, groups, special-accommodation Mindbody Business Management, centers and many other places.

Next Generation Yoga, Give Back Yoga Foundation and Yoga The organization focuses on the Reaches Out. diverse communities of East Africa, but its influence expands On its website, internationally. www.africayogaproject.org, 32

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AYP offers information on volunteer opportunities, attending classes, donating and fundraising.

Further, the blog gives people an inside look at the organization and its longstanding impact.

Designgood.com explained Elenson’s story: “Elenson went from Wall Street to Kenya and discovered that teaching downward dogs and warrior poses can unleash changes that go way beyond the yoga mat.”

With plans to expand the project to five other African countries, AYP would not only create more jobs

but also empower communities on a larger scale. It also completed a U.S circuit called the Handstands, Hugs and Highways Tour, where the outfit raised money to travel to 16 cities and spread awareness and empowerment through yoga across the country.

is to create opportunities for youth to step into their greatness and become self-sustaining leaders in their communities.

I’m continuously reminded that yoga is the greatest service to give someone to find what is inside of them, to see what is possible and provide the tools to transform “Our mission is to educate, their own life.” empower, elevate and employ youth through the power of yoga.” Elenson said. “Our vision

Online Exclusive!

To watch an exclusive video with the founder of Africa Yoga Project, visit cultursmag.com/african-safari

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What makes Kenyan olympic runners

so great?

arathon Runners Eliud M Kipchoge, winner of multiple Olympic medals,

as well as winner of marathons around the World, World Cross Country Champion Viola Lelagat Kibiwot, share the reasons many consider Eldoret, Kenya, one of, if not the world’s, best training ground for marathon running.

training, and respecting yourself.

“Because without that respect – if you don’t respect yourself, you can’t do anything,” she imparts.

Kipchoge agrees that the passion to run is important to the sport, but concedes that the climate of Eldoret, Kenya, Africa, and the altitude, which is 7,000 feet (~2,100 metres) high, also may give them an advantage as training in the thinner air at high altitudes makes it easier to run when closer to sea level.

Kipchoge ran in the Athens, London and Bejing Olympics. For him, average training includes running 200 and 250 kilometers each week, and a balanced diet to obtain all nutrients necessary to stay healthy.

“We’re in a third world country, thereby, we need to earn a living in different sources, and sports is one of them,” said Kipchoge, alluding that his marathon endeavors are his career, how he earns his living, in addition to being his passion. “People have a lot of interest in sports and that’s why we have a lot of champions here,” he shared.

Of course, in addition to the excellent conditions offered in their homeland, “I think it’s tenacity,” says Kipchoge. “So you have to train hard and in a smart way. In athletics, the important thing is to plan and to prepare, but not to win.

The win will come automatically.”

Kibiwot adds, “I can say that, running is something – you have to have it from your heart… So you can say that, to win, you have to have that passion, and you have to be ready all the time.” Kibiwot thinks the secret to being an accomplished distance runner is being disciplined at all times with

Online Exclusive!

To watch an exclusive video with two of the world’s top distance runners, visit: www.cultursmag.com/culturs-tv-olympic

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“People have a lot of interest in sports and that’s why we have a lot of champions here,”

Kibiwot’s determination shows on her face when practicing her passion.

Kenyan runners start training before the sun comes up.

A cacaphony of color, the Kenyan team is a bouty of colour when members train together.

Eldoret’s naturally bouyant terrain from dirt paths provide excellent roads for running.

Piles of harvested stalks of maize adorn the local roads where the runners train. Maize is the main ingredient in the beloved Kenyan Ugali - a dish some even describe as a “superfood.

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Traditional

Foods of

Kenya Dinner Menu - Vegetable: SkumaWiki.

- Grain: Ugali.

- Starch: Chapati - Main Dish: Beef Get. - Beverage: Chai.

- Condiment: Tambarind Sauce

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Skuma Wiki This Kenyan take on Kale will leave your mouth watering.

Some reports call this dish “collard greens,” or even describe it as “mistaken” for kale, however, our experts in Kenya created this recipe and use Kale as the main ingredient.

Watch our video extra online to view it being made step-by-step.

Quick, delicious and healthy, it’s a bounty for the senses.

Ingredients 1 White Onion 2 Tomato Kale, thinly sliced Salt Tsp. Royco Spice Oil Steps to follow Cut onion and tomatoes set aside separately Heat oil and fry onion until brown.

Add tomato to the browned onion.

Fry the onion first until it starts turning brown, then put in the tomatoes.

Mix the spice with a little water to make paste, then add to cooking mixture.

Stir ingredients and cook on medium high for five minutes. Add Kale into the cooking pot and mix well while cooking. Continue to cook for 7 minutes. Salt to taste if necessary.

Serve the food with Ugali.

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Ugali The food of champions Ugali is a starch made from corn that oft is considered a staple at the Kenyan table. Made with love and a bit of elbow grease,

the thick meal can be used as a utensil to capture the other food on your plate with each bite.

Check out our online exclusive to watch the making of Ugali in action.

Ingredients: Salt, water, cornmeal.

Directions: Bring the water and salt to a boil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. ...

Measurements: 1: 1.5 cornmeal to water. Salt to taste.

Reduce heat to medium-low and continue stirring regularly, smashing any lumps with a spoon, until the mush pulls away from the sides of the pot and becomes very thick, about 10 minutes. .. .

Place the ugali into a large serving bowl, it will form a mound - flip onto a plate for serving,

Online Exclusive!

Watch the making of Kenyan food in action: http://cultursmag.com/ culturscelebrates-the-communitykitchen-theme-kenya/F120

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Chapati This honored Kenyan dish will leave your mouth watering and your tastebuds swimming in delishousness.

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Kenyan Safari

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A visual feast of Kenya’s magestic animals 43

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Kenyan Amboseli National Park is the second mostfrequented safari location in Kenya is about 150 miles from Narobi and borders Tanzania .

This park is known for its elephant herds and many varieties and birds. The park also notes the presence of wildebeast, giraffe, African lions, antelope, zebra,

Online Exclusive!

Explore the majesty of Ambesoli National Park and why it provides the best view of Mount Kiliminjaro in this Exclusive interiew: http://cultursmag.com/videowildlife

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hyena monkeys (one monkey’s bony little fingers swiftly and stealthly grabbed a croissant directly out of someone’s hand while in the Safari Transit van.

Lesson learned: If you’re eating, keep the windows closed!) Best time to visit are January and February and June to September.

Safari

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Nairobi National Park is the smallest and oldest of all those in Kenya - giving a glimpse into what the city’s landscape looked like a century ago. Home to the Black Rhino Sanctuary, it’s also home to lions, buffalo, ostrich, leopard and more.

During the summer, one can experience wildebeest migration andmarvel at four of the “Big Five” African animals.

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Tsavo West National park and Tsavo East National Parks were once a single park, but are now separated. Tsavo West National Park is situated west of its sister, Tsavo East National Park, and is approximately 188km west of Mombasa. This park is considered the best for topography fans who also want to view Kenya’s animals and birds. Tsavo East National Park is one of the oldest and largest African safari parks in Kenya. It was established in 1948 and covers 11,747 km, although not all of the park is open to the public. Key attractions include the Galana River and the Yatta plateau, as well as several pools and dams used as watering holes by both birds and animals.

Tsavo East National Park is 333km south-east of Nairobi, and 173km north-west of Mombasa.

Its relative closeness to the beaches and tourist attractions around Malindi and Mombasa make it an ideal oneday wildlife safari destination for those who do not want to stay overnight.

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Tsavo East National Park is a natural area of flat, dry plains, with thorny bushes and swampy marshland near the river. It is teeming with diverse Kenyan animals including large families of giraffes, gazelles, hartebeests and zebras, as well as the “Big Five” must-see animals - buffalo, African elephants, lions, rhinos and leopards. Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion, and Rhino.

The traditional grouping of ‘big 5’ animals were socalled by the big hunters of the last two centuries.

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Coverstory 52

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Online Exclusive!

For an interactive video of Copper Signatures wearable art in action, visit our homepage at www.culturs.org > magazine

Military B.R.A.T. Deidre Harden turns adornment into Art

By Joanna Pierce

D

eidre Hardin’s journey mirrors the incredible jewelry she creates: intricate and layered spirals and turns, decorated with spots of beauty, together form something simply amazing.

As a military B.R.A.T, Hardin moved regularly, allowing her to experience life in a multitude of different places. When she was 11, Hardin’s father was stationed in Germany, about two hours from the French border. She spent much of Hardin’s journey began in her four years there exploring Lubbock, Texas, where she Europe. lived until age five.

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Laughing, Hardin recounted one of her fondest memories from that time: spending her 16th birthday in Spain.

“I got to drink like a grown up,” she said, joyfully sharing similar memories from visits to Holland, France and Italy. “I was always so excited to go to my next adventure,” she said.

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“The Majority of my work is reflective of moments within my health journey.

I created and dedicate a copperwing each year to my heart donor as he has been my wingman; my angel on my shoulder” Says Hardin 55

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As an adult, Hardin benefitted from her Third Culture Kid (TCK) background.

After graduating from Colorado State University, Hardin moved to Dallas where she officially met and fell in love with her husband, Keith. After some time in Texas, the couple moved to Denver, where Hardin began teaching art.

She spent the summer of 2002 in the hospital. Doctors worked to alleviate Hardin’s symptoms and prescribed chemotherapy to help bring her white blood cell count back within healthy levels.

Hardin remembers crying, holding locks of her hair in her hands. “Ma. It’s dead, ma,” her hairdresser told her when Her experience with different she asked for them to be sewn cultures helped her as both a back in. teacher and a mother. She was able to show her children and Despite strong opposition students “that the world is bigger from doctors, family and and there are different ways of friends, Hardin returned to looking at things” through art work part-time that August. and her own experiences.

She was more worried that her students might think she “As many people as there are in was a junkie due to the marks the world, that’s how many ways left by IVs than she was about there are to solve a problem,” overworking.

Hardin said. She encouraged her kids to think just as big and But, in 2004, her health began just as creatively. to deteriorate again.

Hardin listened to her doctor In 2002, Hardin was awarded tell her that she was pregnant the Art Educator of the Year in disbelief, as she had been Award by the Colorado Art told that she would not be able Education Association. to have any more children.

Early in her marriage, Hardin However, 2002 threw just as experienced an ectopic many trials as it did triumphs pregnancy which caused her into Hardin’s life. She began to lose one of her ovaries. to experience severe joint With the added impact pain, lapses in memory, and of chemotherapy and the extreme fatigue, struggling to medication she was taking, find enough energy to make it the chances of her bearing through the day. “I would take more children were nearly 20 minute naps in my car before nonexistent. She had not had I came home,” Hardin said. a cycle in over a year and believed she had gone through Eventually she was diagnosed menopause early. Yet there she with lupus. was, carrying her own tiny miracle.

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Hardin shows how the raw simplicity of metal can be transformed into formal elegance.

OPPOSITE: Top - Marvel the textural perfection of Hardin´s hand-crafted excellence.

Bottom - (1) Hardin’s daughter Niara showcasing mum´s creations. (r) Hardin’s Son shows the gender-fliudity of Hardin´s copper desings.

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However, carrying a child to term with lupus is very dangerous. Doctors relayed that there was a high probability that either she or her baby would not make it through delivery. Yet, she remained steadfast in refusal to consider abortion, “If this happens in a barren womb, then there’s no way that I’m going to go have this taken care of,” she said.

Nine months later, Hardin gave birth to a healthy, happy baby girl. She named her Niara, which means God’s Purpose.

Hardin continued to feel fatigue for months after the birth. She eventually returned to her doctor and learned that her heart was enlarged.

After experimenting with other treatment methods with little success, her doctors decided that she needed a pacemaker.

Around this time, Hardin decided that she needed to move to a warmer climate. She underwent pacemaker surgery in August 2009 and moved back to Texas with her family in November.

A lot of time was spent in and out of doctors’ offices to make sure that her pacemaker worked properly. At her last appointment, the doctor was ready to give her a clean bill 60

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of health as long as she was sleeping normally. Though she needed to sit upright while in bed, she otherwise was sleeping well. Her doctor immediately began making calls.

Hardin had congestive heart failure; she needed a new heart.

“I did not cry until I got to the house,” she said.

Hardin was added to the transplant list and began waiting.

She was placed on oxygen and a constant IV. While waiting, Hardin turned to art to help her get through each day. “Art therapy has been my saving grace,” she said.

Early in her battle with lupus, a friend gave Hardin a copper bracelet and told her that copper helps ease joint pain.

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“I always wanted to be Dorothy with the red shoes”

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So Hardin decided to create her own copper jewelry.

From this, molding copper became very therapeutic for Hardin. “I got to hammer out my frustrations before my family got home,” she said.

The finished pieces gave Hardin something to show for the time spent at home and something to talk about besides her health.

One evening, Hardin walked into the kitchen to get a cup of tea and heard The Wiz playing in the living room.

Nipsey Russel, playing the Tinman, warbled:

“Slide some oil to me Let it trickle down my spine Slide some oil to my head And let me lubricate my mind!”

As Russel sang, Hardin was struck by how much she identified with his character.

Then the Tinman mentioned his desperation for a heart. “I’m the Tin Woman in this story,” Hardin realized.

“I always wanted to be Dorothy with the red shoes.”

As Hardin continued to wait for a compatible heart, this idea of the Tin Woman became somewhat of a mascot for her and served as a source of inspiration. When her daughter accidentally broke a dress form, Hardin saw an opportunity to create a new sculpture.

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Using the form, a piece of red coral that remarkably resembled a four chamber heart, and, of course, copper, Hardin built her Tin Woman.

Finally, in 2013, Hardin received a new heart. Hardin’s surgery and recovery went smoothly.

Her fatigue lessened and she was able to do more day to day, including launching her own jewelry line, Copper Signatures.

When she was healthy enough to interact with larger groups of people again, Hardin displayed her jewelry at a local fashion show, which then led to an appearance on Good Morning Texas.

This exploded into a large social media following and invitations to other fashion shows. Since then, Hardin has been able to share her story with a vast audience. “Dallas kind of knows me as the copper lady,” she said.

Hardin strives to honor her donor, Casey, by shining bright enough for two. There are “two souls, one heart on this journey,” she said. Each year, she designs a piece titled Casey’s Wing, which she donates to charity.

The Tin Woman sculpture still hangs in her home.

“I’ve gained so much more peace, Even chaos can be beautiful.”

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A Third Culture Love Story Joanna Pierce

D

eidre and Keith managed Germany. to just miss each other throughout their childhoods.

After graduating college, Deidre moved to Dallas with Deidre’s closest friend growing Vonda. Once there, Vonda up was Keith’s cousin, Vonda. subtly mentioned that Keith They spent so much time lived in Austin and began together that they often told orchestrating a surprise people that they were cousins meeting. as well. Their families were just as close. Deidre’s mother and When they finally met, Deidre Keith’s aunt were best friends. froze momentarily. “I knew him immediately,” she said.

Deidre knew of Keith and spent time with much of his “Are you gonna just stand family from a young age. When there or come give me a hug?”

Vonda showed Deidre a picture Keith asked. of Keith in an attempt to play They immediately hit it off. matchmaker, Deidre remarked, However, Keith was going “He looks like Michael Jackson through a divorce and until with the fly collar!” it was final, Deidre felt However, before they could uncomfortable being anything meet, Deidre moved to more than friends.

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On her next birthday, Keith called and told her that his divorce had been finalized. Six months later, the couple finally began dating.

Keith has been integral to Deidre’s journey. “He’s the rock of the family,” she shared. “He keeps everybody laughing.”

While Deidre was waiting for a heart, Keith took her on short staycations throughout Texas.

Deidre fondly remembers sitting in the blue bonnet capital of Texas. “My husband isn’t an artsy person, but he’s learned to stop and smell the roses,” she said.

Deidre and Keith renewed their vows to celebrate their 25th anniversary in May 2017.

P KNeop OWleT o

Following the Culturally Mobile:

Florence Chabert d’Hieres

F

lorence Chabert d’Hieres is a woman with quite a story to tell – and one she is managing to live through the support of her family while following her passion. In an exclusive interview, Florence shares some of her experiences and what life is like for her right now.

Must-know fact about Florence: she was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka and was adopted at three weeks by an Italian mother and French father. She was raised in Lyon, France and went to an international school.

Florence attended a French-American business university where she graduated with an MBA in Marketing Management. Florence created her first company, Intimate Business France, which helps businesses settle and understand the French culture.

After getting married she moved to Dubai and created the company Coach4expat. Florence is now a certified coach and trainer for expats, parents, and TCKs in the Middle East.

Q: How would you describe your multicultural experience growing up?

A: It seemed natural and easy to move from country to country. I started to travel abroad when I was 7 years old and I still do it now. The only difficult thing is fitting in and finding a sense of belonging.

Q: What were your biggest struggles?

A: The fact that I looked different.

Even today, I always have to justify myself from where I come from because I look different and I speak English with a French accent.

The chart below visualizes common themes individuals may feel during the expatriation and repatriation process. As noted in the book, “Third Culture Kids,” the stresses of reentry can be uncomfortable and the dimensions of change may become difficult to understand during the period of transition. We all can relate to the search for a sense of belonging, feeling confident with our identity, and seeking purpose with what we do.

The distinctive qualities of the TCK experience are what make the topic of discussion so compelling, but as more research is conducted, TCKs share a lot in common when it comes to emotional and psychological stresses.

Grief intensity → the loss and grief experienced by a TCK and how they cope with their losses.

Environmental dissonance → when moving from culture to culture, it is important to note the difference in the environment. Are they similar? How does this affect someone’s experience?

Vocational Certitude → the confidence and happiness a TCK feels with who they are and what they are doing.

Relational support → the amount and form of support that comes from relationships in the life of a TCK. The more positive support is around them, the less stress a TCK will have.

“My parents brought my sister and me back to Sri Lanka. It was very difficult for me to make the decision to go back in ‘my’ country I did not know. While I was there, it was even more difficult than expected because people thought I betrayed my country by leaving. It felt very strange being from nowhere,” says Florence.

The labels placed on our physical appearance happen anywhere in the world, and the feeling of being nowhere and everywhere is an extremely common feeling for a TCK. The more culturally mobile a TCK is, the more they may go through the emotional cycle and ask questions such as, “Who am I?” “What am I doing?” and “Why does it matter?”

Loved ones describe Florence as someone who is brave, courageous and strong. They also say she is a great mother and still ask how she manages to handle everything. “Kind of like superwoman,” says Florence. The feeling of being free and discovering new things every day is what Florence loves most about her career.

“I am proud to be a mum and a mumpreneur,” says Florence. “I am proud that I am able to raise my children and at the same time as living my passion, which is training and coaching expats.”

Q: How did you become a certified cross-cultural coach and trainer?

A: It all started when we were in Australia when I was helping expats arriving in Melbourne. I did this in addition to my other job and I really liked it. It was during the crisis and I felt like I wanted to do more with my life! My husband had a job in Nigeria and while I was back in Lyon for the first time in my adulthood I decided to go back to school and get a coaching degree. Now I specialize in crosscultural training and coaching to help expats in Europe and the Middle East.

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Q: What has surprised you most so far about your cultural experiences?

Fun fact: Florence speaks five languages fluently: English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. Courtesy of Florence Chabert d’Hieres.

A: The fact that wherever you are…the most important thing is that as long as you are with your loved ones and that you are doing what you like, you feel comfortable with any culture that surrounds you! I am always amazed when people during their expats are not willing to make the effort to be open-minded.

Q: Have you ever felt unresolved grief because of your cultural fluidity?

A: I lost my baby and it was difficult to handle that loss while being abroad as no one in my family really saw me pregnant. I am thankful I was surrounded by our friends who supported and helped us going through this very difficult period of my life. It taught us that by being an expat you also can rely on your friends who later become family.

Q: When you think about your life experiences, is there anything you would do differently?

A: No. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Life is short, we should live every day as if it was the last one.

Q: Do you see yourself continuing the type of work you do now within the next 10 years? What’s next for you?

A: I don’t know what country we will go next, but I hope I will be able to continue my job and work in mobility or in HR. I would love to go back to Geneva!

I am also writing my second book, “Citizen of the World.” It is an illustrated book for children and expat parents on how to raise citizens of the world positively.

When asked about where (or what) home is to Florence, she simply responds:

“Home is where my family is.”

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Life Coach

“Uncovering

YOU” Michele Davenport

This inaugural column is about you -- who you are, what you hold dear, and how you move through the world. We are dedicated to exploring the questions that will ultimately lead you to designing your own excavation project. You might ask what exactly am I digging for? It’s you -- the real, unadulterated, uncovered you.

How often is it that your “community,” with all of its best intentions has contributed in covering up the core person inside? Perhaps your educators, parents, clergy, friends and foes have forever told you what their view of you is – you’re a great leader, daughter, researcher, ball player, writer, etc. We hear so many descriptions of who we are, according to someone else’s view of us, it’s not surprising that at some point we look up and ask, is this me? Here we will challenge you to get up close and personal with all parts of yourself, and from this expanded place of knowing, you will be able to show up more fully and live with greater satisfaction, joy and peace.

For just this once, it’s indeed “all about you.”How often does a friend, loved-one or colleague chide you by saying “it’s not always about you,” sometimes resulting in the saboteur, or those limiting beliefs creeping in and halting your progress? In this space, we will explore what it means for you to be you. The more clarity you have on what’s important to you, what you value and are impassioned by, the more capacity you will have to show up for others, to serve, lead, parent and love in innovative and interesting ways. Plus, it’s plain fun to have more pep in your step, to be clear why, what and to whom you’re saying yes and no, to be clear on why a particular boundary is relevant and empowering.

In this space, we will cover it all. Here’s a question -- if you were challenged to “Discover and Uncover” parts of yourself you haven’t been exposed to in some time, what would you learn? Perhaps you love being in nature, are driven by achievement, nourished by loyalty, helping others, being an expert or one of hundreds of other values. And what if you uncovered your purpose and then were challenged to determine what ACTION is required to intentionally move through the world with resonance and grounding?

Discover and Uncover will offer a roadmap on how to get from the current story or narrative you have about your life to a more bold and courageous experience.

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Is it a trip to the Maldives, domestic travel, a loving partner, renovating your condo, or perhaps purchasing your dream home?Whatever tugs at your heart and is keeping you from getting restful sleep, we want you to bring to this column. But you have to be ready to put in the work.

Whoever went to the gym and just expected to get stronger by simplyshowing up? It doesn’t work that way. You have to groove new behaviors and habits in order to get the results you desire. And that’s part of it – what exactly are the results you desire? Ask yourself, what do I really want? Is this me? You bet it is, and today is the first day of your best life. So, get ready...

Claudia Körbler: An Adult TCK Who Found Her Passion in Helping Others

Michele Davenport Many third-culture kids (TCKs) don’t choose the life of international travel and cultural immersion; their parents do. However, for TCK and borderlander adult Claudia Körbler, curiosity prompted her into a life of travel, communication and cultural immersion — starting when she moved away from her homeland of Austria at 18.

Similar to so many TCKs around the world, Körbler is using her unique vantage point in the world to make a difference in the world.

“For some reason, I’ve always had the urge to explore different cultures,” Körbler said. “I remember actually telling my mom when I was younger ‘I want to know what it feels like to be a Spaniard. I want to know what it feels like to be an American,’ in the sense that, you know, you immerse yourself in a culture, and you live the traditions for some time until you’re able to identify yourself with it.”

in her mission to help governments of developed and developing nations create policies that will support developing countries in the fight to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

“Curiosity is what has always driven me, and it’s also my passion,” Körbler said. “And it’s why I work in international development. It’s the curiosity of seeing how can we — as game changers and change Körbler, now 33, has spent agents — make this world the most of her adult life living as a place we want our children to have Global Nomad. She has lived in down the line, and help those who San Francisco, Castellón de la are invisible to make their voices Plana, Madrid and Barcelona. heard.”

Fluent German, Spanish and English, she currently resides in Outside of her work for an Washington D.C. — where the international development trained simultaneous interpreter organization, Körbler is also the works as a policy development and chair of membership for Families outreach analyst. She works for the In Global Transition (FIGT) since Food and Agriculture Origination 2014. FIGT is a well-organized of the United Nations (FAO), and previously served The World Bank 69

organization with an annual conference that hosts inspiring speakers, break-out sessions and roundtable discussions where Körbler said she felt absolutely understood by globally mobile families and individuals, who knew what it felt like to be starting a new life journey in a different culture and country, having little idea of where that journey it was going to take you. FIGT promotes crosssector connections for sharing research and developing best practices that support the growth, success and well-being of people crossing cultures around the world and is one of a kind welcoming forum, said Körbler.

Since her time with FIGT, the conference has managed to beautifully expand its membership from about 80 in 2014 to more than 180 current members who have access to the game changers in the world of third-culture kids and global nomads.

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The

MUST A list of things to experience, carefully curated for culturally fluid individuals

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List

Must Watch: TV

CCKs react to Aziz Anisari’s

“Master of None” Aziz Ansari’s “Master of None” follows a young Indian American man, Dev, who is the first generation in his family to live in the United States. Dev is modeled after Ansari himself whose parents immigrated from India. The show tackles many experiences faced by Cross-cultural Kids (CCks) in an authentic way.

“When I was your age, I left my Both Tegethoff and Orr do not f@!&ing country and you can’t obviously look like their parents’ go out and buy a 25 cent funnel,” culture.

Tegethoff said.

Aziz isn’t passing. He looks Indian.

Her dad came from Brazil at age 19 “I could walk around and people with 200 dollars and didn’t speak may not know my dad is from English. He faced a lot of racism but Brazil,” Tegethoff said. worked super hard. She considers Aziz has a different perspective him the “American dream.” because of his race, but also has “He downplays it so much,” a good platform to share his I sat down and talked with two Tegethoff continued. experiences.

CCks about their reaction to the show. We specifically talked about After watching the episode she “This is giving voice to a generation the episode “Parents.” The episode realized that a lot of immigrant of cross cultural kids,” Orr said. follows Dev and his first generation parents don’t talk about their Both Orr and Tegethoff can’t wait friend whose dad immigrated experience that much. for season three of “Master of from Taiwan talk. They converse None.” about having parents who are “That’s what I like about the immigrants. Finally the two friends ‘Parents’ episode, you can sense sit down and eat with their parents that a lot of people understand and ask about their immigration what they’re addressing but it’s stories. never something that’s explicitly talked about,” said Collin Orr, “The episode was really cool whose dad immigrated from because it was neat for them to talk Canada to the United States and to their parents like that,” said Julia whose grandparents immigrated Tegethoff whose dad immigrated from Scotland to Canada. to the United States from Brazil.

“My dad has never held it against The episode reminds her of her us, but expects us to work hard,” parents and grandparents.

Tegethoff reflected.

Recently, she was complaining Watch Aziz talk about what to about putting oil in her car because Orr thinks the show is “unlike any expect on his show at she would have to find a funnel. other shows on TV.” http://cultursmag.com/ccks-reactesponded: to-aziz-ansaris-master-of-none/.

Online Exclusive!

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Must Watch: Movie

Empire of The Sun, the story of a CCK living in China. Directed

by Steven Spielberg in 1987, the movie served as his attempt to address an entirely different concept than his previous films.

The main character, Jim (Jamie), is portrayed by a 13-year-old Christian Bale, the actor who would later play Batman and star in other big hits such as The Prestige. The movie is set in Shanghai in 1941 during the early stages of World War II. Jamie lives with his parents in a wealthy area of the city and attends a Catholic boys school. He is waited upon by Chinese house cleaners and nannies, and he is quite spoiled, snobby and rude. At this point in the narrative, he has no understanding of these other cultures that surround him and no appreciation for the hardship and suffering of others.

All changes when the Japanese army invades the city of Shanghai, which causes mass panic and exodus from the city. Immediately separated from his parents, Jamie is left to fend for himself.

Unlike some TCKs, his racial diversity is evident and impossible to hide.

As a young, white and wealthy schoolchild, he is an easy target for taunting and robbing. After being chased and teased, he runs into and immediately latches on to another English speaker.

TCKs often cling to the first friends they make, and Jamie was relieved to meet Basie, an American looter. When Basie cannot seem to interest anyone in purchasing Jamie’s pristine white teeth, he gives in and allows the child to tag along.

The Japanese regime eventually captures both of them and forces them into a concentration camp. The audience witnesses a change in Jamie’s character after he is in the camp for four years. Now referred to as Jim, he is fluent in English, Latin and Japanese. He has become a crafty tradesperson using small items to barter for meals and little trinkets that he wants. Inside the camp, Jim has two distinct father figures. These relationships might resonate with military TCKs who often look up to other male figures besides their fathers, or become used to the culture and structure that the military provides. For Jim, the rogue and rowdy American, Basie, and the composed British doctor Rawlins provide balance for him as he grows into adulthood. By the time the war ends, Jim has forgotten what his parents look like. He has lost his childlike whimsy (the loss of childhood is a distinct trait in many TCKs), and he has been humbled into understanding and respecting all cultures. When finally reunited with his parents, he is so distinctly not British. Their meeting is strained and unnatural.

The plot is based on the real-life experiences of author J.G. Ballard. He described the feeling of returning to Britain after such a distinctly unique and culturally shocking experience.

In March 2006, Ballard told The Guardian: Coming to England after the war, and trying to cope with its grey, unhappy people, I hoarded my memories of Shanghai, a city that soon seemed as remote and glamorous as ancient Rome. It’s magic never faded, whereas I forgot Cambridge within five minutes of leaving that academic theme park, and never wanted to go back. While Spielberg’s movie does not intentionally address the issues and benefits that TCKs face, he does touch on experiencing several cultures during your formative years. Jamie’s transformation from a snobby ignorant boy into a culturally rounded, compassionate and accepting person serves as a final reminder that a globally nomadic lifestyle can be incredibly constructive in the end.

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Must Watch: Documentary

BROWN BABIES

Brown Babies: The Mischlingskinder Story reveals the tragic lives of biracial, bicultural children, unwanted, ignored and forgotten by enemy nations. Imagine being born in a place and time where racism and hatred run rampant, and your mother is white and German and your father is a black American serviceman. Brown Babies tells the painful and personal story of a forgotten piece of world history through eyes of the people who suffered most. Written, directed, and produced by Emmy award-winning TV News Executive Producer Regina Griffin, with original music by Bobby Burwell. Featured on CNN and Winner of Best Documentary, American Black Film Festival.

BRATS: Our Journey Home

BRATS: A Donna Musil Film U.S. military brats share intimate memories about their unique childhoods - growing up on military bases around the world, then struggling to fit into an American lifestyle with which they have little in common.

Narrated and featuring songs by Kris Kristofferson. Interviews include the late General Norman Schwarzkopf, author Mary Edwards Wertsch, and brats of all ages, races, and branches of service.

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Must Read

Ruth Van Reken: The Power of

Passion

Global diversity and all its surrounding divisions, classifications, misconceptions, struggles, ideas and linking factors have never been more complicated to define.

However, Ruth Van Reken, coauthor of “Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds,” has paved the way to solving a bit more of the significant puzzle.

“I can bring the ideas, but I’m not organized enough to make things happen,” Van Reken person accomplish it, which is imparted. “But I can visualize really fun to watch happen.” things and can help another Van Reken is referring to her organization FIGT and the accomplishments she, and others, have pursued in the 20 years the organization has been active. This year, FIGT will celebrate its 20th anniversary with an international conference being held in The Hague in the Netherlands.

Van Reken said. “We initially were just trying to get this

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topic out there, because most of the trainings at the time revolving around culturally mobile populations were just not helpful. But then, people from all over understood what I was trying to make known.

I realized my skill set wasn’t practical, but I had the ideas and interest groups were really what kept the ball rolling.”

The theme for the 2018 conference will be: diverse voices

celebrating the past, present and attendance in the States, but future of globally mobile lives. they were filled with attendees from all over the world. After “When the organization first she being international, it “took started, it was really about on a whole new life,” Van Reken networking and helping globally banned. mobile families,” Van Reken said, “but now we have a place “It seemed as though there was a that encourages academic wave of interest among the youth researchers to share their because people are more aware work. Now, people in the new and looking at bigger issues,” generation are really working to Van Reken explained. “I believe spread the word.” that if somebody can contribute their little piece to something, The submissions for speakers and you do what you can do one at the 2018 conference had an step at a time, you never know extremely successful turnout where you’ll go.” with 140 submissions.

Van Reken emphasized the FIGT has endured many importance of starting with hardships as an organization; likeness instead of differences it even had a period where it in terms of uniting globally appeared all volunteers were mobile populations around the close to falling through, Van world. She explains in her book Reken said.

“Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds” that if we “The only way it survived was join our conversation about passion,” she remarked. “The the identity of cross-cultural new generation of volunteers populations, we can really begin came when I thought the whole to make a difference. organization was going to die.

The new leaders were willing to step into leadership and try new things. It took on a whole scope, and was made international.”

“We need to start with likeness of what it’s like to be human, instead of [starting] with differences”

FIGT took a big step in 2016 by holding the annual conference outside of the United States and relocating to The Netherlands.

According to Van Reken, the conferences were lacking in local

Ruth E. Van Reken speaking at FIGT conference.

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Must know

Amy Sia, Expat PatternDesigner Amy Sia is an Australian-born, London-based pattern designer. She sells her dreamy yet colorful designs through her own line of products, and you can also find her scarves, cushions, and bedding in retail stores like Anthropologie, Kohl’s, and Bed Bath and Beyond.

He caught up with Amy in Manhattan, New York during Surtex 2016, the trade show for licensing and sourcing original art and design, and asked her about her background, cultural differences in designs, top tips for new designers, and what’s next for her eponymous line.

This transcript has been edited for flow.

Culturs: We’re here with Amy, born and raised in Australia, and now in London, and you’re a pattern designer!

Amy Sia: That’s correct – I started out in fashion, that’s my background, that’s what I studied in Melbourne, and now I’ve slowly made my way

into the pattern and textile design world. I’ve always loved painting and drawing as a child, so that’s why I pursued this career path.

What prompted your move from Australia to the UK? AS: Australia is a wonderful place to live, it’s sunny, gorgeous, there’s lots of space to live, but I got a bit bored and really wanted to work in a more creative environment. I had spent some time working in the fashion industry (in Australia), but there is a lot more opportunity in London. As an Australian it’s quite easy to get a visa, and it’s English-speaking, so I thought – you know what? Let’s try and do that! I had visited before and loved it, so I moved about five and a half years ago to pursue a textile and print design career.

You need to persevere, because it takes time to be good at anything in life.

How would you describe the cultural differences you see in the art between Australia and the UK? AS: I think climate has a lot to do with what people are attracted to, so in Australia I tend to sell a lot of bright colors and bold prints, whereas in the UK the climate is colder, everything is much more muted, and people are attracted to more subdued designs. I also find that my work is really bright, and it tends to resonate with people in Latin America, South America, Portugal, and Spain, so places where there’s a warmer climate, more light, and a beach definitely helps!

For those of our readers who also want to go into the design world, what would be your top three tips?

The first thing is not to give up. You need to persevere, because it takes time to be good at anything in life.

When you begin, it’s probably not always going to be that nice, but you just need to keep going, and take time and practice to perfect something.

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The second thing is, make something you love. If you don’t love it, chances are it will be more difficult to find someone who does.

The third thing I would say is, if you want to be in the design world and make things sellable, think about whether you would want to buy it.

Do you love it? The question I ask myself is, “who would buy it? Does it make me really want to buy it?”

That’s my testing point.

What’s next for Amy? AS: We have some beach towels here, we’re working with a company called Westpoint Home, and hopefully these will be coming to market next year. I think they would be a perfect extension to the work I do. Being from Australia and loving and growing up by the beach, it’s a dream to do a line of beach towels, and hopefully you’ll see them in store soon!

Thank you so much for your time, hope you had a great show, and looking forward to seeing you again!

I may not live near a nice beach, but I can’t wait to lounge on one of those towels in Central Park.

Must shop

ZikoAfrika British Kenyan sisters make a design splash I met British-Kenyan sisters and firsttime exhibitors Sisi and El at NY Now at New York’s Javits Center. Together, they founded ZikoAfrika — loosely translated as “Africa has it” — in February 2014.

Both studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London before working in development. They became interested in development, especially through business opportunities, after seeing the disparities in wealth in the UK and Kenya.

El worked in Somalia on governance and peace building for about four years.

“My mum grew up in rural Kenyal; she didn’t have any running water; they didn’t have lighting,” El said.

“Our earliest memories are getting water from the stream down the hill and carrying it back up,” Sisi added.

“Cleaning the lanterns took up all morning!”

The sisters provide their designs for jewelry and handbags to local workshops in Kenya and Nairobi, and several artisans bring their visions to life.

El explained: “The way we approach design is looking at iconic African designs, drawing on the beautiful and rich history. We take inspiration from the traditional and then make it

modern with clean lines and a curated color palette. We use neon Perspex, brass and beads to create luminosity and a minimal look.”

Fair production and prices are central to the ZikoAfrika brand ethos because they believe there needs to be a greater appreciation for the cost of fashion, and it shouldn’t be to the detriment of the producer. Their products are made using a mixture of traditional techniques, such as sand casting and thread-beading, combined with new materials such as Perspex.

They collaborate with workshops to do this: “Bombolulu is a really fascinating workshop right outside Mombasa on the coast. They only employ people with different abilities. What’s incredible about that is that’s a very marginalized community in Kenya.

Because opportunities to work are so limited, they’re often completely ostracized from society as a whole.

So they’re providing really valuable employment opportunities, and they’re producing incredible products as well. Another fantastic thing about Bombolulu is they’re a so-called sheltered workshop, which means accommodation is in the same space as the workshop. It’s really important to consider, and we don’t usually think about it when we’re able-bodied, but trying to get around in a wheelchair in a developing country is really, really

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difficult, and it’s usually the biggest barrier to employment. We go to visit the workshop on a regular basis, it’s a very open process of meeting the artists and collaborating on the production.”

Another workshop ZikoAfrika collaborates with is Namayiana, an independent cooperative group of Maasai women beaders, located in the Ngong area, just outside of Nairobi. The co-operative formed in 1990 from two women’s self-help groups and is dedicated to benefiting around 100 families in the Maasai community.

Sisi and El’s favorite design is the amulet, fashioned after the iconic Tuareg Ingall Cross.

“It epitomizes our brand. It’s simple, it’s got the clean lines, it’s got the Perspex, so it really represents the duality that we’re about. It was also one of our first designs,” El elaborated.

In terms of future products, customers can look forward to more beading.

The sisters plan to incorporate beads into more products and collaborate more closely with the Maasai artisans.

“We’ll take this really recognizable and traditional form of African adornment and do something different and new with it,” she continued.

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Must Visit

Gelian Hotel,

Machakos Kenya We had the opportunity to visit the five star Gelian Hotel in Machakos county during our Kenya coverage. The end result was an amazing and luxurious property with stunning views. Take a look for yourself starting here and continuing at www.Gelianhotel.com

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The Power of Language In the 21st century, assessing someone’s background from outward appearance isn’t enough — hidden diversity means people increasingly bring more to the table than meets the eye. Whether through travel, nationality, race or ethnicity, many of us straddle culture in one way or another.

From Cultural FluidityTM, to Third Culture Kid (TCK), Expat, Third Culture Adult, Cross-Culture Kid and more, the language to describe our “in-between” community is of utmost importance. Knowing the vocabulary creates understanding and deepens our sense of belonging and connections to others with similar experiences. Here’s a quick overview so you can follow along any of our articles with ease...

What is cultural fluidity?

The hidden diversity created by people who don’t or didn’t grow up in a homogenous cultural environment.

Culturally fluid individuals may straddle nationalities, ethnicities, race or culture. The fluidity created allows understanding between or among these foundational areas, but also may hinder sense of belonging to any one area.

Culturally fluid individuals spend significant time during key developmental years in one or more cultures that are different from his or her nationality [passport culture(s)], which provides an innate ability to navigate many different cultures as such experience affords increased understanding and empathy for other cultures.

What characterizes a 21st Century Citizen?

Hidden Diversity, which involves a more complex manner of thinking because of the layering of the individual’s cultural experiences. Each additional layer, or sub-culture, adds dimension to that person’s world, gives broader scope to their skills, multiplies understanding and empathy and creates the ability to connect with many. The more layers, the more complex each individual’s world.

Identity Defined by dictionary.com as “condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is; the qualities, beliefs, etc., that distinguish or identify a person or thing.”

Normal, everyday life can beat at an individual’s livelihood or outward appearance, but if that same person has a deep rooted set of morals, values and beliefs—a strong identity–it’s much tougher to make that person waiver from the tenets that make him or her an individual. Roots have the power give individuals the foundation to move forth in life with a confident, knowing outlook. The deeper the roots, the greater the potential poise, sense of selfassurance and direction with which we can face the world. Greater the fortitude with which we can tackle obstacles that come our way.

What Characterizes a Global Nomad? In 1984, this term was coined by researcher Norma McCaig as a child who moves overseas because of parents’ career(s).

Refugees–Internationally nomadic group not characterized by a parent’s occupation. Displaced from their homeland forcibly or by choice, often have fled for varied reasons - violence, politics, religion, etc. Refugees typically do not return to their countries of origin.

Immigrants – People who, for varied reasons, immigrate to a country different than their homeland to stay permanently. Many return to their home countries to visit, though some do not.

Third Culture Kids (TCKs) A term coined by Sociologist Ruth Useem in the 1950s as a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The first culture is considered an individual’s “passport” culture, while the second culture consists of the culture(s) in which the individual has lived. The third culture is a result of the person’s life experience - this is the culture to which they most

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“belong.” Often it is a globalized culture where they feel most at home to others of similar background. In Japan, the term used is Kikokushijo, or “returnee children.

Military B.R.A.T.s Children of military who move with parents to different places within our outside of their home country. They often experience other cultures within the confines of a military installation or compound that possesses traits of the home country.

Non-military foreign service Children traveling with their parents to various countries in non-military government roles, diplomatic corps, foreign service, etc.

Missionary Kids—Children of missionaries who often spend the most time living abroad and typically the most immersed in a culture outside of their passport culture.

Diplomat Kids—Children whose parents are members of the home country’s political framework while living on foreign soil.

International Business Kids— Children with parents whose work with multinational corporations takes them to far-away lands. Often in professional fields surrounding oil, construction and pharma.

Domestic TCK—Children, or adults who as children, moved to various regions within the same country, often having to re-learn their ways of being, especially as regional differences in dress, speech and action, are heightened in formative years when it is important to be accepted. Though they remain in the same nation, often Parents do not consider that it is difficult for children to form their identities under changing conditions.

Third Culture Adult—A term coined

by Individuals who travel extensively and are immersed in, or live in global locations after the age of 18 (after identity has been solidified).

Borderlanders – A term coined by Ruth Van Reken, author a borderlander is a citizen of one country that lives close

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ulture CC onnections

Five Questions with Australian TCA

Y

ou might know Australia as the Land Down Under or as the setting for “Finding Nemo,” but the country has much more to offer than just beautiful coastlines and catchy nicknames.

According to the BBC News, Australia is the sixth largest country by landmass. The primary language spoken is English. I asked Australian resident Bec Whetham five questions about Australia, and here’s what she had to say about her home country.

1. Why did you choose to come to the United States to study abroad?

In grade nine (freshman equivalent), I decided I wanted to pursue a student-athlete scholarship in America for soccer. For four years, I partnered with a scouting agency, trained harder than ever, took on core courses, traveled interstate to take my SATs and sat in on Skype sessions with coaches all around the states.

I was choosing between offers in Indiana, Georgia and Iowa, but it was still so expensive to come to America even with a partial athletic scholarship. I made the very tough decision not to come and stay/study in Australia.

I knew I would eventually come over to America to study for exchange in my degree. It was a good alternative and cheaper! I love how diverse America is, both culturally between states and the different landscapes.

2. What is an Australian tradition that the United States might not have (or that might be different) that you can describe?

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Bec Whetham

Our university life is very different!

First, we call it “uni,” not college or school. Most degrees, including mine, are only three years.

No one in Australia lives on campus and there’s no dining halls or sporting teams (this also means fees are a lot cheaper). It’s like going into work and returning home. I only study two to three days on campus back home and my social/working life is all off-campus. It’s very different!

Everything is on campus here.

3. Talk to me about Australia, what are some of your favorite things about the culture, the country, the people, etc.? Can you list some facts about Australia that people may not know?

Australia is a lot of fun. Naturally, it’s just beautiful. We’re a big country but almost everyone lives on the coast which is where all our big cities are.

It takes a long time to drive between states. Like America, our landscape is diverse. Bush, desert, reefs, surfing beaches, rainforests, rolling hills, mountains – we truly have it all.

The culture is very laid back, we love our sports, our barbecues, and our camping trips. It’s been an awesome place to grow up.

I miss a lot of things but it can be hard to put a finger on sometimes.

I do stand by our approach to gun control. Following a mass shooting in Tasmania is 1996 (35 deaths) we had a buy-back. Prior to that, we had somewhat similar regulations to America. Since then Australia has had no mass shootings. It’s been weird being here with that stuff going on.

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While I love so many things about the states, there have been over 300 mass shootings already this year. I find it hard to empathize with the argument that suggests guns aren’t the problem. I hope that when I come back, things will have changed.

4. What part of Australia are you from?

I am from beautiful Seacliff, a suburb in Adelaide, South Australia. It’s on the coast. There’s a lot of beautiful beaches and wineries, as well as great bush camping spots and a cool city with over one million people).

5. How’s the food in Australia compared to the U.S.?

The food is in Australia is less processed! America adds a lot of sugar to bread and cheese, which I’m not a fan of.

People in the United States are also obsessed with pumpkin spice! What’s up with that? I love the amount of Mexican food here! I eat Mexican every day. Also, drip and iced coffee is all the rage in the United States!

We’re all about those hot milky brews back home.

Cappuccinos are served with nice froth and chocolate dusted on top — they’re delicious and popular in Australia. But I can’t seem to find a decent cup here.

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o leT op W Pe NO K

TCK, Myra Dumapias Second-generation third-culturekid (TCK) Myra Dumapias freezes up a bit when asked the basic question: “Where are you from?”

What is she supposed to tell people?

Though she now lives in San Antonio, Texas, should she list off every country she’s lived in to every person who asks? After an immense amount of travel and no permanent home, Dumapias answers that burning question as simply as possible: “I grew up moving around [to] different countries, so I’m from everywhere.”

Experiencing different cultures and constant moving affects worldviews and personalities, which Dumapias learned at an early age.

“I had to find and define my identity based on what remained consistent within and about myself. I cherish friendships where I can be free to be myself without fitting in boxes,” she said.

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Because her surroundings changed so frequently, she didn’t have enough time to settle down into that culture’s societal norms. She found herself through family, the bond of friendship, culture, values and morals.

“It’s interesting to watch him grow older with this influence and seeing how it’s applied to his unique character and personality,” she said.

Learning to be open-minded allowed Dumapias to see things others overlook and understand “I believe we were born to contribute the misunderstood. TCKs tend to to the world our God-given gifts that become creative and easily relatable eventually become our legacies, but because they know how to adapt. we must know the certain purposes “Being rootless frees you from we are to fulfill,” Dumapias said. having to measure your unique gifts Later, as an adult TCK, her son against cultural, societal or generally was born in Bahrain, which made others’ expectations of you related him a third-generation TCK. Her to external layers of identity,” she son went to school in Bahrain for a said. “It’s very exciting, actually.” short time and then began to move Not only are TCKs’ eyes open to around the United States. much of what the world offers, but Dumapias raises her son in a also they could help educate others. similar way to her upbringing. TCKs have the power to show She wishes for him to appreciate people what they might have been different cultures and the culture missing and how to become more within his own family rather than dynamic global citizens. attaching himself to his immediate surroundings.

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How Global Culture is a Personal Concept:

Naomi Hattaway

By Sara Bushnaq

this article, Naomi IonnHattaway takes the stage her experiences and how they shaped her concept of culture.

In the early 1970s, Hattaway grew up with a black father and a white mother.

“It wasn’t quite accepted,” she said. “I grew up straddling two cultures — my black side and my white side.”

She is the founder of I Am A Triangle, a community for those who have lived in various cultures and countries, whether as children, teens or adults.

She also shares a loves for volunteering and serving the people that can benefit from her community’s resources.

Hattaway’s children are typical third-culture kids (TCK). They were born in the United States but spent their formative years abroad, specifically, in Singapore and Delhi, India.

“The edges of their TCK identities are amazing and diverse and so multifaceted!” she said. “The depths of their capacity as it relates to kindness, generosity, compassion and open mindedness is quite amazing.”

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to

Hattaway,

both her children have a high awareness of differences in people. They recognize people as human beings first before their nationality or geographical loyalties.

“That, combined with their ability to not judge so quickly and learn from others, are a few of the other traits I think come naturally to TCKs,” she said.

to enter a new culture,” she said.

“I do as much research as I can when looking toward a new relocation, or when I am introduced to a new culture so that I can hopefully understand as much as possible. I think it’s incredibly important when entering a new culture to do an awful lot of listening and observing. I feel that many people miss that very important piece of cultural adaptation.”

Hattaway is a strong advocate for doing your research, which plays a role in how her children are careful and appreciative of differences.

“I think culture is imperative,” she said.“It Hattaway endorses cultural helps to create belonging education to become and and a way for individuals to remain socially responsible. identify with others.”

“I have always been very sensitive to culture and the awareness that is required

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you’re not supposed to decide which place you prefer most, I am a product of all of them at once and it makes me unique.”

If you marry someone from another culture, will they be one-eighth of everything? (asked negatively) Saja: “Who said I wanted to get married, who said I wanted children indefinitely, and who said asking people such personal question with a negative connotation is okay? We are all rooted from somewhere and it doesn’t matter because there is not one culture that is better than the other, or one that is wrong or right.”

By Sara Bushnaq

The Five Worst Questions To ask to a TCK with

Saja Kamal Saja Kamal is an insta-famous Where are your parents from? activist and feminist engaged in many global platforms.

Saja: “It implies that my answer as to where I am from wasn’t Apart from her public life, good enough or honest enough Kamal grew up with a twist. of a response. It implies that I don’t ‘look’ like where I said She is from a Saudi Arabian I’m from.” father, Rami Kamal, and a Palestinian mother, Fatin Since you were born somewhere Lababidi. and raised somewhere else and your parents are from different She was born in England and countries and cultures, do you lived much of her childhood in feel lost? Where do you belong? the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Now, she works in Dubai, Saja: “Not knowing the root of United Arab Emirates. She where I’m really from shouldn’t identifies as Saudi Arabian. be the deciding factor of an identity crisis. I have my own As a Third-Culture Kid (TCK), origin and it makes me who Kamal is well-versed in probing I am without giving it one and inappropriate questions. classification or label. I am all those places at once.”

Thus, in a FaceTime interview, she dictated a list of the five Where do you feel the most worst questions to ask TCKs. from?

Do you have a sense of belonging?

Saja: “A sense of belonging is good, but also not belonging keeps you liberated and free from cultural boundaries and societal pressures. It means were the most cultured, most traveled, most open-minded thinkers and least racist.”

Suhair AlMuradi, a mother figure to Kamal, had this to say about Saja: “Saja reminds me of myself in terms of personality. She always stood out and never felt like she fully belonged in the Saudi society, however I think this makes Saja who she is.

Which is someone who loves to travel, and is comfortable in being in any culture in the world. She is always pushing herself to do more and accomplish what she believes in, rather than what society and the status quo expect of her.

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Breakout Ghanian-American

Music Artist “Mawule” Raised in Colorado, Mawule melded influences from his African roots, church background (his father is a Presbyterian minister and mother sang in the church for as long as he can remember), with that of popular artists who intrigue him.

Having spent his early years in Ghana, Africa, and later Colorado, United States, Mawule is considered a third-culture kid (TCK) – someone who lives their formative years outside their parents’ passport country.

Ghana’s Hip-Life genre of music is the country’s most popular, in addition to U.S. pop and rhythm and blues, which sometimes affects the musical sound Mawule creates. These items help the young songwriter and producer shape his musical identity as he tries to branch out and make his own sound.

background. Growing up, Mawule sang in church and considers it his foundation.

“I think a lot of that just comes from being raised in the church all my life. My dad’s a Presbyterian minister; my mom loves to sing in the choir, pretty much all her life – still does to this day, so just being raised in that setting, and being at church listening to gospel music.

That’s where I think a lot of my roots came from and how I picked up a good ear for music, rhythm,” he said.

“I think my music is a mixture between R&B, hip-hop and a little bit of general pop,” he imparted.

“And I think a lot of that just stems from some of the artists I listen to like John Legend, Maxwell, Lupe Fiasco, Alicia Keys, Melanie Fiona.

So a lot of the artists I listen to, I try to like replicate what they do, I Mawule, pronounced Mah Ooh try to sound very similar but very Just as strong an influence, Ley, is a name given by his father distinct from their music.” however, is his family’s religious and means, “only god knows.”

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Music for Healing TCK artist Mawule gives voice to social issues

By Anna Groeling

usic has an emotional allure M that pulls us into it. When we listen, sound may evoke feelings of joy and sadness — from raindrops tapping against a window to a soft melody that sends you chills.

We love songs that connect us to our most powerful memories and emotions.

Mawule, a Denver-based singer and songwriter, believes music serves as a coping mechanism.

His songs often revolve around social issues that hold themes of empowerment, hope and healing.

create my music.”

Mawule’s music style embraces vulnerability. When people hear his songs centered around issues such as racism and oppression, many reach out to the singer through social media and share their own experiences.

“If you listen to a lot of my music, like ‘Live Again’ is a song that’s very much inspired by my upbringing in Ghana,” he shared. “That’s more about poverty and the experience of living in a third world country.”

As an artist, Mawule uses his influence to address domestic violence and sexual assault.

“Live with no regret is a motto that I really try to uphold,”. “…No matter what happens to me, I really try to His music video “It’s Not You” be a positive person. I look for a lot follows several women and of optimism in everything.” shows everyday experiences of harassment and sexual assault.

Mawule’s songs are inspired by his During the planning phase of the personal experiences and stories song and music video, Mawule that friends have told him. reached out to professionals in the field who work with cases of sexual At ten years old, Mawule and his assault and domestic violence so family moved to the United States that other perspectives could be from Ghana. He began his musical included. He hopes the video serves career just three years after he as a reality check and makes people moved countries. think twice about their actions.

director, and from friends, inspired him to create the song “It’s Not You” so he could help survivors cope and let them know they aren’t alone.

“It’s always hard,” said Mawule.

“College is a place where [sexual assault] happens a lot. Overall on college campuses, there’s a lot of work going on, but I think we need to do more work to really create more education and create more knowledge.”

Mawule’s entertainment platform, called “More than Music,” helps increase awareness around social issues on university campuses.

The platform combines music performances and dialogue, where questions about a social issue are posed to the audience between songs. The format helps communities address sensitive topics in small groups, where music can help ease difficult conversations.

“If you are someone that did go through these experiences, [know that] it is not your fault,” said Mawule. “And then two, on the other side as men, we need to do “Overall, my upbringing has really As an university resident director, a better job of educating ourselves, fostered how I see the world and Mawule often talks with students educating each other, and not being how I see my environment,” he about sexual assault. The stories a bystander to these incidents and said. “That does play into how I that he has heard as a resident these social dilemmas.”

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A MILITARY AND A CIVIL SERVICE

B.R.A.T.

FIND LOVE Donna Musyl and Chris Kyrios tied the knot in a romance-filled scene at the Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, Colo. An intimate gathering with their most cherished friends and family whom the couple gathered from years of mobility and careers developed from their B.R.A.T. Childhoods.

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Musil’s friends show their excitement at the impending nuptials

Kyrios’ lifelong friends get ready to witness the ceremony

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The bride meticulously oversaw the design of this one-of-a-kind confectionary masterpiece in her favorite colors

The bride, flanked by her mother, sister and nieces

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Love in

Seoul Won and Jie

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Won and Jie brought 21st century thinking to their traditional Christian ceremony in this eastmeets-west extravaganza in Seoul, Korea. TCK Won Seop, who was born in South Korea, raised in Indonesia and the Middle East, studied in the United States, and served as translator for the Indonesian government after serving his mandated term in the South Korean Military, met his life partner when Jie stood up for him at University. While earning her masters degree in the U.S., she traveled in similar groups, telling others to “leave him alone� as she appreciated the refreshing outlook and perspective he brought to all situations. She accepted him for who he was.

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The blushing bride greets guests

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The bride, flanked by the mother of her intended (l) and her mother (r) in their traditional dress in the pre-wedding receiving area

Notes for the officiant 100

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Love, Trust, SEOUL

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Destination:

Diani, Kenya

Diani beach is a popular resort town in Kenya, off the Indian Ocean. Just south of Mombasa, it has been compared to Hawaii due to the serenity of its pristine beaches and zen atmosphere.

Locals and tourists alike frequent the beach, and locals can be found hanging freshly-washed laundry to dry, selling goods, and cutting fresh young coconut to drink straight alongside the rolling surf.

You can almost hear the waves roll in...

A local woman takes a break from a long day.

A vendor cutting coconut to drink from nature’s cup.

On the beach, artisans sell hand-crafted goods, like these exquisite wooden statues

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Destination:

Kisumu, Kenya Lake Victoria Lake Victoria, sometimes called Victoria Nyanza, lies in the town of Kisumu, Kenya – one of the country’s largest cities.

The largest lake in Africa, it borders Kenya, while also sitting in Tanzania and Uganda. It is the second largest freshwater lake in the world and contains hundreds of varieties of fish.

Kisumu is a key transportation center for West Kenya, linking to the essential port of Mombasa via connections through Lake Victoria, as well as train routes.

A lake-side restaurateur takes a moment to enliven our lens

Lake Victoria, Kisumu

We choose dinner amongst the catch fresh from the lake 103

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SUMMIT

CELEBRATE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS! Learn Best Practices, Share Challenges, and Discover Opportunities

APR 21 CSU DENVER CENTER

Parking and Meals are Completely Free Meet Important Business Leaders of Colorado Participate in a Community Service Project Premium Tickets to a Rockies Game vs. Chicago Cubs

EMAIL REGISTRATION TO: Daniel.Ruiz@colostate.edu

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A Moroccan

TCA Story

TCK children often follow in the wake of their parent’s career, experiencing and living in new cultures as their parent’s job demands.

This is not so with Amanda PonzioMouttaki’s children. Mouttaki is a curious mom whose love of travel and food sparked a sudden move to Morocco. Her children, who were 6 and 8 at the time, were catapulted into a far-from-typical TCK childhood.

Mouttaki’s story begins with a flourishing, fairy-tale romance.

In 2004, on vacation in Morocco, Mouttaki made eye contact with an incredible man. Her immediate thought was: “This is him; you’re going to marry this guy!”

As crazy as it sounds, the two were hooked on each other after one day of adventuring together. Youssef didn’t speak a lick of English, and Mouttaki didn’t speak any Arabic. It was through stuttering and broken French that they fell in love.

After the first day, they communicated over email, but Mouttaki knew that she had to see Youssef again. She quickly booked a flight back to Morocco.

In Youssef ’s culture, “you simply don’t spend time with someone you don’t intend to marry,” Mouttaki said in an interview with Brittany Jones-Cooper for Yahoo Lifestyle. A proposal quickly followed.

The happy couple married in the United States, as Youssef was allowed a 90-day fiancé visa. Amanda had converted to Islam, so the lovebirds made sure that the ceremony combined their two cultures to create an inclusive union.

After marriage, they began their life in Wisconsin and Washington D.C. and started their family. They had

two boys. As their sons grew up, the couple began to wish that they had a connection to their Moroccan family.

Initially, Mouttaki planned to move to Marrakesh for one year to immerse her children in her husband’s culture and allow them the chance to learn Moroccan Arabic and French.

Unlike many TCK children, the primary reason for the move was not based on Mouttaki’s job. She and her husband were simply determined to ensure that their boys new both sides of their cultural background.

“Knowing more than one language can’t be understated,” she said.“I truly believe people that are bilingual or multilingual are at a huge advantage compared to those that are monolingual.”

Amanda’s successful blogs and travel guides are what funded her family’s move across the world. She started out with MarocMama, a resource guide for visiting, living in and cooking from Morocco. This blog details recipes, descriptions of life in Morocco and destination guides.

She and Youssef now run Marrakech Food Tours and have become wildly successful in sharing the true Moroccan experience to tourists as they pass through. The travel and food-based business have been featured in National Geographic and Travel Africa Magazine.

constantly felt like they didn’t fit in and were just waiting to leave. When we decided that it would be longer, they were angry, but I also think in a way it helped them to settle in a little more.”

“Even though they are Moroccan by heritage, they would never say they are Moroccan, they’ll always answer they are American,” Mouttaki said.

“They have seen and had a variety of life experiences that they wouldn’t have had if we had stayed in the U.S.”

Their life in Morocco is beautiful and unique, but it has come with challenges.

“Just about everything was different; from how we buy groceries to rules for driving and so much more,” said Mouttaki.

The two boys now speak French fluently, as well as English and Moroccan Arabic. After five years, they have begun to settle in and try harder in school, as well as make some friends.

The family has defied many cultural norms from falling in love quickly to dealing with immigration and to moving across the world to learn a new language.

“It was a hard experience for my kids. When they knew it was one year they just were counting down until the one year was over. They

Mouttaki and her family are a part of the Third Culture, but they bring an incredible new meaning to the term as well.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Culturs is excited to launch the premier issue of our print magazine, which is a digital-first publication that has been hi-lighting stories from the “in-between� since 2014.

Each issue will give you a sneak peek behind-the-scenes.

This issue includes scenes from the wedding of Won and Jie, to the photo and videoshoot with Kenya

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Wildlife Services in Nairobi National Park, to the community kitchen at CultursCASA: Kenya Edition, and the artistry and concentration behind the making of Copper Signatures Signature creations.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing your posts on our social channels as our goal is to create a community where each of us can feel like #home. #WeSpeakYourLanguage

launching #justpickupapen soon, a digital campaign that promotes a healthier balance of online and offline hobbies.

Q: What advice would you give to people interested in learning the art of calligraphy?

A: “Don’t hold back, don’t be scared, and most importantly, make time for it. You have to overcome the fear and just dive in.”

Haley Miller is an illustrator and designer who comments on hand-lettering skills: “It’s one of those things that definitely takes time to practice, but so satisfying when you see the results.

By: Alicia Bonilla

Just Pick Up a Pen

Expat Doris Fullgrabe’s encouraging message T

oo often, we make excuses to stay within our comfort zones. If you have ever thought, “I wish I could do that!” or, “if only I had the time to pick up a new hobby,” you might find Doris Fullgrabe’s story to be a positive inspiration. An expat working in New York City, Fullgrabe shifted her focus to mastering the art of calligraphy and lettering in 2015.

Born and raised in Germany, Fullgrabe has lived and worked in Scotland, England, Spain, the Canary Islands, Mexico and the United States in Texas and Manhattan before making a move to Brooklyn with her husband, who is a native of Spain.

Fullgrabe’s exposure to living in many places pairs with her well-rounded background in the workplace. She worked in human resources in London after graduating with a degree in Human Resources Management and Spanish in Scotland. Later, she moved to Barcelona to work as an executive assistant.

Fullgrabe met her future husband through her job at the time, and the two made the next few moves together for work.

Her cross-cultural experiences led her to work in leadership development and become an executive coach for expats to offer guidance during the expatriation and repatriation process. Fullgrabe has also been a Myers-Briggs Master Practitioner (ENFJ) for more than 10 years. Without a doubt, Fullgrabe has quite a bit of experience both culturally and professionally. In recent years, however, Fullgrabe picked up on something new. She thinks you should, too.

Q: What inspired you to make this transition?

A: “I went to school in Germany in the’80s, so we were taught how to write in cursive. I remember loving that since I was a child, but it never occurred to me until recently that this was something I could do professionally.

I just picked it up as a hobby, and I haven’t looked back since.”

Q: What are the two most essential skills in your current profession?

A: “Patience and curiosity.”

Before launching her website and lettering services, Fullgrabe asked herself: * Whom do I want to serve? * What is it that I like to do and spend most of my time doing? * How can I be of assistance to others?

The elegant website design features her work, services and plenty of information about workshops and online courses.

Fullgrabe specializes in adding a sweet, personal touch to weddings, murals and other custom calligraphy requests. A teacher at heart, Fullgrabe has a passion for sharing what she knows with others, which is why she offers both online and group workshops for curious students.

The calligraphy workshops offered are full of video tutorials and vital skills to perfecting hand-lettering. Skillshare is an online platform used by many artistic creators, and Fullgrabe is offering two months of premium access for online tutorials. Fullgrabe will be

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I think we need to challenge ourselves more to try new things because we have so much potential to learn and grow!”

Most of Fullgrabe’s audience comes from social media activity on a variety of platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. She maximizes her reach by using hashtags and commenting on similar pages.

When Fullgrabe moved from Manhattan to a neighborhood in Brooklyn, she walked around and handed out her business card to businesses in the area. With a talent like hers, word of mouth spreads quickly to boost potential business opportunities for the self-employed expat.

“Since I’m pretty new to the business, I have found it helpful being in a co-working space with other designers. I have already worked with some of them by making custom products for their clients,” Fullgrabe said. “I also would like to tap more into the bridal market because the demand is always high.”

Q: As an expat and global nomad, where or what is home for you?

A: “My husband. We just celebrated 12 years together this year. I am very happy and grateful that I have a healthy relationship with him after all these years.”

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?

A: “Somewhere on a beach in New Zealand.” rd of mouth spreads quickly to boost potential business opportunities for the selfemployed expat.

“Since I’m pretty new to the business, I have found it helpful being in a co-working space with other designers. I have already worked with some of them by making custom products for their clients,” Fullgrabe said. “I also would like to tap more into the bridal market because the demand is always high.”

Q: As an expat and global nomad, where or what is home for you?

A: “My husband. We just celebrated 12 years together this year. I am very happy and grateful that I have a healthy relationship with him after all these years.”

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?

A: “Somewhere on a beach in New Zealand.”

VIP PREVIEW -Spring 2018 CULTURSMAG.COM

Focus on

KENYA! SHANGAI STREET CAT Lessons on Hidden Diversity and Perception

EXTREME ADVENTURE

KENYA - TRIP OF A LIFETIME

OLYMPIC BOUNTY

CROSS-CULTURAL ATHLETES WIN BIG

WEDDINGS!

OF THE GLOBALLY MOBILE