Monday 11 June 2012

It's my blog's birthday! Let's celebrate with a giveaway and interview with Heidi Sand-Hart

A year ago I started writing this DrieCulturen blog. To celebrate this first birthday author Heidi Sand-Hart has agreed to an interview and has donated a signed copy of her book "Home Keeps Moving". Thank you so much Heidi. To participate in the giveaway leave a comment on this post (with your email or some way so that I can get in contact with you). Heidi her blog is: homekeepsmoving.blogspot.com. You can follow Heidi on twitter: @HomeKeepsMoving

1. In which countries did you live as a child and what age were you at the time?
England - born and lived off an on until I was 16, India - age 5 (off and on) until I was 18, Norway - 15-17 years old.

2. What was the reason that you were living abroad? If it was work, what kind of work did your parents do?
My parents were missionaries so that is the reason we lived between India and England all the time, for durations of 8 months - 2 years. My mother started 2 orphanages in South India for unwanted girls and my father taught but also researched different tribal groups.

3. Please tell us about your book "Home Keeps Moving". How old were you when you wrote the book?
“Home Keeps Moving” tells the story of growing up in many worlds due to moving frequently throughout my childhood. It gives a lot of insight into the many struggles and challenges that “Third Culture Kids” face with constantly leaving friends, homes and their familiar surroundings – of those trying to grasp an understanding of who they are and how they fit into their current society. I actually started writing "Home Keeps Moving" over years ten ago when I was 19 years old but realised the task was too overwhelming at the time. As I’ve gotten older, I have realised how exciting, colourful and unique my own childhood was and I wanted to share that with others.

4. Many people want to write a book someday, but you did it! Who was your inspiration and what was the key to your success?
I was inspired to write a book when I discovered there were hardly any personal accounts of growing up as a "Third Culture Kid" out there. There is the TCK bible (as it's referred to) but not a lot which actually tells the story first hand of constantly moving, adapting, transitioning…leaving friends, houses, pets, schools and starting all over again. I realised as I entered my early 20s how much my unusual upbringing had moulded me and wanted to reach out to others in the same place. I also hoped the book would be insightful to people from conventional backgrounds and can be used as a tool to understand their TCK friends/colleagues/spouses better. As for who inspired me to write it…conversations with my brother were the catalyst but I just had a desire within that wouldn't fade away so ten years down the line, I picked it up and gave it another go!

5. What's your advice for other TCKs or for anyone wanting to write a book?
Stick with it until the end! It seems like everyone has started writing a book at some stage of their lives but not many people complete them. It is tough going at times but make sure you surround yourself with supportive people and keep giving yourself goals to achieve.

6. Do you have any interesting new projects and the moment?
I do have one potential project in the pipeline at the moment but it isn't confirmed so I can't say too much. If it comes off, it will combine my passions - writing, travelling and orphanages -- so it would be a dream come true! Stay tuned to my blog for updates. Homekeepsmoving.blogspot.com :)

7. What did you most like about growing up abroad?
I loved spending so much of my childhood in India…a culture so completely opposite to my European heritage. It's colour, vibrancy, smells and smiles were captivating and I loved all the travelling and tropical holidays we had there. I loved the chaos and freedom…as a child, it felt like you could do anything since it's not ruled by laws like Northern Europe.

a) What was most difficult?
I suppose missing friends in England was the hardest thing and I remember missing sweets and food but we adapted quickly and had a rich life in India in different ways.

b) How did living abroad influence your choice of career or study?
Living in India and seeing the value of my mum's work (orphanages) birthed in me the desire to do something similar with my life. It seemed that all around me people had made unconventional choices with their lives and it gave me the boldness to not do traditional further education (university) but pursue my dreams instead.

c) Can you say something about your social network? In how many countries do you have friends?
Good Lord, that's a great question…one that I can't answer though! It must be close to a hundred countries for sure but don't hold me to that! Social networking sites (such as Facebook) have really helped me stay connected to dear friends around the world. It makes them feel closer even though I rarely get to see them in person.

d) Which languages do you speak? Do you have advice on learning languages for families living abroad now?
I speak English and Norwegian (limited) and a small mishmash of other languages. I studied French and German at school but unless you immerse yourself in the language, I don't think it sticks for as long. Growing up as a TCK is definitely the best opportunity to jump leaps ahead with languages…it's a great advantage.

e) When and where did you first hear of the term “third culture kid (TCK)? How did you hear of it and in which way did it help you?
I first heard the term "Third Culture Kid" as a 16 year old when I was living in India. My cousin had sent an article (by David Pollock) to my parents and it suddenly jumped out at me. I was extremely excited to know I belonged to this tribe and felt proud of my upbringing.

f) Do you have advice for TCKs or adult third culture kids (ATCK)?
Read as much as you can about TCKs so you can understand yourself better -- connect with other TCKs either in person or online and begin to process the results of your upbringing. Deal with any unresolved anger or bitterness you may have as a result because it will eat you up after a while. And focus on the many positives that such a diverse life has - embrace the uniqueness.

g) What characteristics have you developed or do you think you have developed because of growing up abroad?
A deep love and passion for travel and different cultures. I have a travel bug that can never be eradicated…the more I see, the more I realise there is to see. I love seeing and recognising the positives in both the European and Asian ways of life despite being opposite. The world isn't rigid, there is no right or wrong. We are just the result of the bubble we grew up in and luckily, my bubbles are many and large. TCKs generally have cultural awareness and can pick accents easily!   
 
h) Are there things related to growing up abroad that are difficult for you to this day?
I constantly miss the other side…the grass is always greener and when I'm in London, I constantly dream of being in Asia. When I've been there for a while, I usually romanticise London! The hardest thing is always having a part of you missing…

i) How was it to return to your “home country” (passport country)?
This one's tricky because my passport growing up was Norwegian but I was born in England and hadn't lived in Norway until I was 16. When I did move to Norway though as a teenager, it was a huge shock and very difficult time for me. I didn't fit in at all and actually wanted people to think I was English! I talk a lot about this in the book so I will leave it at that…

j) With which countries do you feel a bond? Where’s home?
The strongest bonds for me are definitely with India and England. Despite my parents both being Scandinavian (Finnish/Norwegian), I have never had an affinity with either of their countries because we didn't spend much time in either of them when I was a child. It was just summer holidays and we always thought upon England or India as "home". India lives in my blood, constantly calling me back. And England…it's the country of my birth, most of my early childhood memories and bonds occurred there and I have chosen to bond with it. I understand how everything works…the humour, the system, the people, the transport…but deep down, I still know that I'll never truly fit in. That's why I love London…it is so multicultural and you can be from anywhere in the world yet be accepted as a Londoner. For now, it's "home".

To participate in the giveaway leave a comment on this post (with your email or some way so that I can get in contact with you). The winner will be randomly selected. The deadline is Tuesday 19th of June 2012. The winner will be announced on Wednesday the 20th of June 2012. The competition is now closed. The winner of the book is: Julia Munroe Martin! Congratulations.

20 comments:

  1. Happy Blog Birthday DrieCulturen! Congratulations on building one of the very best TCK/expat blogs around. I love Heidi's book so was glad to see you interview her. Anyone who wins will enjoy her terrific book; I refer to it often. Off to share the news...

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  2. Happy First Blog birthday!! I can't wait for the many more years to come :) :) I was very impressed with Heidi's advice. I'm currently in a stage where I'm trying to let go of the bitterness and anger by doing just what she suggested. I'm learning as much about being a TCK as possible and trying to embrace the uniqueness. Thank you so much for the post! As usual, keep up the great work :) :)

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  3. Gefeliciteerd! Congratulations on your blog and it´s first year! I have said it before; I think it is a marvellous resource. I was captured by the interview and will read the book! I am glad to learn that Heidi has obviously also some positive sides to share about being a TCK. Sometimes I think the debate is just about the downsides :).

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  4. Katrin.elser(at)gmx.es12 June 2012 at 18:31

    I want to wish you also a Happy Blog Birthday. Your blog is really good.
    Congratulations Heidi Sand-Hart to your book. I haven´t read it till now. The interview was very interessting.

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  5. Thanks for your lovely words Linda and for sharing the news! I agree that it is a good book, not only for third culture kids and their parents but even for those folks who are married to a TCK :-).

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  6. Thanks Megzy for the birthday wishes. It's always so special when you find the right advice just at the right time. It's good to embrace the uniqueness, celebrate it and then share it with others.

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  7. @Charlotta wow you know some Dutch! Thanks for your comment.

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  8. @Katrin I'm glad you enjoyed the interview, so did I. Heidi was actually the first person to post a comment on this blog. I was so excited at the time!

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  9. Happy Birthday!!! And congrats on a great blog, thanks to you I know what I am!!
    A great post too, so much I could relate to

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  10. Happy Blog Birthday! Great interview as well. I enjoy reading your blog and have gotten many good resources from your suggestions.

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  11. @Windmilltales I'm so glad you discovered what you are! I do want to raise awareness through the blog about what third culture kids are. Thanks for stopping by.

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  12. @RaisingTCKs MaDonna I'm glad you enjoy the blog. I have great fun sharing the information and "meeting" you all online. I love this new adventure.

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  13. Thanks everyone for your lovely comments and well done DrieCultuen on the blog! It takes a lot of effort and time to keep a blog going and you have done exceptionally well!

    *For those who don't win the free signed copy, you can still order a copy of HKM through me!! I sell the book on Amazon or PayPal and would gladly sign your copy. ;)

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  14. Happy Blog Birthday!
    Great interview, I can't wait to read the book.
    ps
    I lived three years in the Netherlands and loved it!
    We're back in Norway now, but I'll always feel as if Holland is a home away from home.
    I too have an expat book out called Fly Away Home.
    If you ever want to do another give away or interview let me know.

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  15. Happy birthday, DrieCulturen! Keep up the good work, and thanks for this exciting interview!

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  16. Happy Blog-birthday Drie Culturen! We are really enjoying getting to know you. Thank you for supporting all the TCKs out there.

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  17. Happy blog birthday! I've heard of this book before -- and it sounds absolutely fascinating. It's so nice to connect with so many other TKCs! Congrats again.

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  18. Its great to know you made it through the first year. We would love to see you carry it on even further with your splendid blogs.
    Ryan.

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  19. very nice blog and love the interview, gives a nice insight in what to expect from that book.

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  20. I enjoy reading your blog and have gotten many good resources from your suggestions

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