Third Culture Kids in a Flat World
Giving our children roots and wings…
In Genesis 11:1 we are told: “…and the whole earth was of one language and of one accent and mode of expression.” Recent linguistic studies have proved that indeed this account to be true and accurate. But things have changed… Read more »
How to be conversationally fluent in a new language in one year
If you learn language as a hobby instead of a job, if you do it to build relationships instead of studying the language, and if you use curiosity as your greatest learning tool you can learn language even part time with great efficiency. You will be surprised at how you can insert language learning into your daily life without having to make it a time consuming, draining experience keeping the mind at its highest learning curve! Read more »
Hungary: Talented Nation, Unfortunate Decisions
“Life is a series of choices, we try to teach our students how to think, how to decide. They will not learn this by accident…” Read more »
Missionary Kids, Third Culture Kids
Quoted from a very informative and insightful article written by Matthew McNutt on his blog:
Positive things that characterize most Third Culture Kids:
- Third Culture Kids tend to be politically astute. They are interested in national and global events, and actively keep track of the news. They often times are aware of the issues and both sides of the debates.
- Third Culture Kids usually speak more than one language. It is not unusual for them to know three or four languages, often times better than they let on.
- Third Culture Kids are much more comfortable communicating with adults than the average American teenager.
- Third Culture Kids tend to possess greater maturity in social skills. They are able to adapt well and notice details others might not.
- Third Culture Kids possess global perspective. They are able to understand the perspectives other nations have and relate them one to another. As a result, they are usually less prejudiced than others their age.
- Third Culture Kids are achievers. A far greater percentage of TCK’s go on to earn Bachelor degrees and advanced degrees than other groups.
- Because of their own experiences of feeling different, Third Culture Kids are much more likely to reach out and accept new people, especially those with different cultural backgrounds.
Like a Fish out of Water: Stages of Culture Shock
Honeymoon Period
In the early days, you may not feel the stress involved in relocating not just your home, but your whole life. In this “honeymoon period”, which can last from a couple of weeks to six months, you’ll be too busy swanning about, tasting the new food and exploring the place to notice. Read more »
Why Should You Be Culturally Aware?
Just because people speak English doesn’t mean that they think English. That’s why!
Cross-cultural awareness is a key life skill in the 21st century – but it is also the world’s best kept secret. We tell you why you should take time to become culturally aware and guarantee you’ll get more out of life. Read more »
Breaking Down the Language and Culture Barrier
Just Shout Louder
The hoary old chestnut that the British and Americans abroad just resort to shouting louder in English in order to communicate with the natives may no longer hold as much water as it used to. Read more »
Cultural Adaptation: A Personal Experience
‘In mathematics you don’t understand things. You just get used to them.’
- János Neumann, Hungarian matematician
Replace the word “mathematics” with “Budapest” and the Hungarian-born Neumann could be speaking to all of us living here. Read more »
Culture Shock Symptoms – How to Survive
A Second Look at Culture Shock
Culture shock, like falling in love, is a temporary madness.
In recent decades public attention is increasingly focused on the examination and labeling of our mental states. Read more »
Helping Your Child Cope With Culture Shock
You can minimize your child’s disorientation by familiarizing her with the country you will be visiting before the trip, maintaining familiar rituals while traveling, and encouraging her to interact with the local culture. Children go through culture shock Read more »
How to Cope with Culture Shock
Culture shock is a normal response to immersion in an unfamiliar culture. The more unexpected and subtle the difference, the stronger our reaction can be. You can overcome culture shock by Read more »
Intercultural Competence
‘Oh the Hungarians, they are so arrogant! So ignorant! So proud, but of what?! And sooo depressed!’
When people get together from different cultures, they are often not as happy or content as they could be. Read more »
When You Feel Inadequate…
For the LORD your God is a merciful God, He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.
- Deuteronomy 4:31
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
- Psalm 3:3
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
- Psalm 5:3
Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
- Psalm 27:3,5
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
- Psalm 118:8
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
- Isaiah 40: 29-31
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
- Isaiah 41:10
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
- Isaiah 43:2
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
- John 14:18
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
Receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
- 1 Peter 1: 6-9
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
bible, quotes, encouragement, when you feel inadequate
American Missionaries in Hungary
An interesting approach from a Hungarian Journalist, Norbert Izsák
Wherever we may go, we always find people living in other countries. Sometimes they do business in another culture, sometimes they are involved in charity, but no matter what their purposes are, they try to find a home in a foreign land.
Read more »
What is Culture? Working cross-culturally
People in every culture are raised with a set of values, beliefs, and attitudes. Some are held deeply, and in many cases, they have never been questioned. Others may be negotiable or debatable. But all affect how a person receives a new message. A cross-cultural worker must ask, “What core values are my listeners assuming as they hear my presentation? Read more »
