Finding Home Within While Abroad requires a bit of a mindset shift.
For those of us who call different parts of the world home throughout our lives, we have a unique narrative woven throughout our lives.
In a recent captivating episode titled "Finding Home Within While Abroad," Doreen sat down with Wiebke Homburg, an intercultural trainer and the creator of the course "Finding Home Within."
Wiebke, with her extensive experience as a third culture kid and expatriate, sheds light on the complex yet enriching lives of global citizens.
The Journey of a Third Culture Kid
Wiebke's journey is illustrative of a raised among various cultures. Her life transitions from Belgium to the USA, then Spain, Chile, Mexico, and finally Germany underpin her rich intercultural understanding.
These experiences, infused within her personal and professional life, help articulate the challenges and transformations faced by those living beyond their original cultural confines.
https://www.amazon.com/Third-Culture-Kids-Third-Edition-audiobook
Finding Home in Yourself
An integral theme discussed in the episode is the concept of "home." For many global nomads, 'home' isn't a single place. Wiebke's course, "Finding Home Within," focuses on those who traverse cultures, helping them reconcile their multi-faceted identities with their environments.
This six-week group coaching program includes live sessions, individual coaching, and practical tools like the "inner treasure map," helping participants forge a deep, personal understanding of "home," as explored in the overseas career guide by Jo Parfitt
https://www.amazon.com/Career-Your-Suitcase-practical-meaningful-ebook/dp/
The Challenge of Over-Adaptation
A significant part of the discussion revolved around the idea of over-adaptation. Wiebke shared her experiences in Chile, where clashing cultural norms around punctuality presented personal challenges.
Her solution — embracing the gifted time as an opportunity rather than a burden — highlights a critical adaptive strategy that expatriates might find beneficial.
Framework for Self-Discovery
Understanding one's inner dynamics is crucial to thriving in varied cultural settings. Wiebke introduced the concept of "inner team members," based on the psychological framework by Friedemann Schulz von Thun.
This idea helps us to recognize and harmonize the different aspects of our personality, which goes a very long way to helping us integrate into diverse cultures.
https://books.google.com/books/about/Six_Tools_for_Clear_Communication.
Navigating Transitions and Uncertainty
Accepting and managing chaos and transitions are very natural parts of the expat journey. Wiebke emphasized that moving through chaos is inevitable, and the more one experiences it, the more one learns to anticipate and manage it effectively.
Conclusion: Building a Diverse Yet Unified Identity
The conversation between Doreen and Wiebke underscores a broader narrative about cultural identity, belonging, and personal growth. Each transition, while challenging, also presents an opportunity to add another layer to one's identity, enriching one's life and broadening our worldview.
If you are on a journey across cultures, our biggest job is to understand and embrace these transformations that can lead to a profound sense of peace and empowerment.
We are constantly challenging ourselves to create a podcast that continues to explore expat and nomadic narratives, while providing profound insights and practical advice for expats, digital nomads, and adventurous spirits worldwide.
Nomadic Diaries not only brings these stories to the public's ear but provides a platform for learning, understanding, and connecting, resonating deeply with anyone who has ever called more than one place home.
As more of us embark on cross-cultural lives, it becomes even more pivotal to share, learn, and support each other in these journeys — making sense of the world, one story at a time.
