by S.R., a 21 year old  Third Culture Young Adult

When I first reached out to Simone, I was basically just looking for someone to give me some answers to the questions and problems facing me at the time.  In that period, I was in the middle of my first year of university in my ‘home country’ Holland, after having lived in Brazil for four years.  As Simone showed me through various sessions, I was facing difficulties very particular to the lives of Third Culture Kids. By pointing out cultural differences between the two countries I had once felt at home in, and teaching me techniques on how to deal with them, I was able to understand far more clearly on how being a child of nomadic parents had had an effect on me. Through the mere awareness of certain cultural facts and by creating recognition of pretty unique problems, intercultural coaching is able to make people feel less isolated in their problems and offers new views on various struggles. Now I feel more apt in dealing with things such as being far away my parents, understanding the term ‘being home’  and handling different cultural approaches to common issues. Even knowing how fortunate I am to be a third culture kid, it is certainly  comforting to know that I am not the only one dealing with the situation's special difficulties and complications.

For a free Intercultural Coaching session on Skype write to info@interculturalplus.com

 And what if we increased the number of words to 10?

(Questions for non-Brazilians)

My experience dealing with expat in Brazil tell me that before moving here most people have quite an imcomplete and incorrect view of what to expect. Expectations are usually based on the international media which chooses to polarise information talking a bout our tragedies only. Even though this is a ´normal´ phenomenon also true for most developing countries, these kind of info are not useful if you have to move to Brazil.

So what would be a more realistic view? 

We all seem to know that family concerns can determine the success rate of expatriates.

But what are the best ways to prevent children´s problems during international transitions?

What can HR professional, international schools and parents do?

How do children perceive international transitions?

Interculturalplus.com In partnership with          Nómadas Globales Argentina

Brazilian & Argentine Cultures: what is the difference?

¨Brazilians and Argentines are just the same!

They are both Latin American cultures and neighbor countries”.

Do you agree with this statement?

We are looking for Brazilians and Argentines (or people who have personal experience with these cultures) interested in collaborating with a short survey on the Brazilian and Argentine businesse cultures. We´d like to explore the main cross- cultural differences and challenges in order to support cultural adaptation of Brazilian executives working in Argentina, as well as Argentine executives working in Brazil.

If you are a native Brazilian or Argentine, please follow this link: 

 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K7D8VHP       (in English)

 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VSLWWHM    ( in Spanish)

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DFCJWBM      (in portuguese)

Participation is anonymous and will  be greatly appreciated. Upon completion of our research, we will provide all survey participants with a summary of results.

Kind regards

Natalia Sarro & Simone Costa Eriksson

 Brazilian Cultural Awareness Tour

CultureS of Brazil

A specially designed intercultural program for foreigners/expatrites in Brazil

which combines both Workshops with day-trip visits

to culturally-rich places/people.

Objective

To facilitate the understanding of the complexity of the Brazilian culture and behavior through exploring the tastes, smells, sounds, places & people´s knowledge about the way of living of each ethnical group as well as immigrants lives.

The Places

The Amerindia Museum and the Tozan farm provide  ´live documents´ of pre and post-colonial history mixing intercultural aspects of our culture.

Amerindia Museum – To discover Amerindia, Amazon Indian art is to take a trip into the past through a wealth of elaborate craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation. You will find art which reflects the identity of each of the 216 ethnic groups.

Tozan Farm - The best preserved coffee farm in Campinas and still in activity. It was officially founded in 1798. The original land was given by the Portuguese Royal Court to a noble Portuguese family, in a process so called ‘Sesmaria’. It is a fabulous part of the Brazilian culture from the slavery period to today´s production of a premium coffee commercialized in Japan. Nowadays it belongs to the Mitsubishi group. Until today it is used as reference for documentaries, motion pictures and soap operas in Brazil and from abroad.

The Program

            8:45-10:00  

Workshop The Indigenous Peoples influence in the Brazilian Culture led by the archeologist/founder of Amerindia Museum Edson Luis Gomes; a taste of typical snack; Visit to the Amerindia Museum  

10:15    CultureS of Brazil workshop part I ( with Simone T. Costa Eriksson)

10:45    Adapted guided tour of the Tozan farm: 

• Brazil Colony and the Coffee Museum, yesterday and today;
• Tour of a Senzala - the house of the slaves;
• The hour of the settlers - The Italian immigrants
• A partial replica of the Kasatu Maru, the first ship which brought  the Japanese immigrants to Brazil;

            12:30   

A delicious self-service lunch prepared by the farm´s chef. It includes one soft drink, desert and coffee. An innovative cuisine, celebrating Brazilian and Japanese flavors.

14:00-14:30       CultureS of Brazil workshop part II and final discussions

Price:                Price depends on number of participants (minimum 15 people) , it includes simultaneous translation, transportation & lunch

Date:               Saturday, June 5^th  and June 19th, 2010

            Meeting place/time:      

8:30 am at the parking place at Carrefour in front of Shopping Iguatemi in Campinas SP.

Revervation:   info@interculturalplus.com

by Simone T Costa Eriksson and Ana Serra

 Available now on Amazon.com

 This delightful new children’s book relates eight year old Mike’s determined quest for information about his upcoming move abroad.  His search provides both the answers he seeks and an unexpected benefit:  He realizes that he is not helpless in the face of unwanted change. 

            Chapters such as “What About My Things?” and “Who Will Disappear?” highlight Mike’s sleuthing expeditions with his best friend, Ikem.  The two boys explore the answers to these and other move-related questions.

            Mike’s discoveries about the new life waiting for him will enchant and inform both school-aged children and their parents.  The book has universal appeal, but will be particularly poignant for children facing a similar move.  Kids will identify with Mike and his struggles to understand what is happening to him.  The answers Mike finds are illuminating, comforting and empowering.

            There is a deliberate ambiguity in both Mike’s country of origin and the location of his new home abroad.  This ensures that the book retains a sense of immediacy for all expatriate children.

            This book taps into the authors’ extensive personal experiences moving abroad with young families.  Costa Eriksson employs her expertise as a psychologist to provide a child’s perspective into this transition. 

            The book will prove equally enlightening for parents who are uncertain on how to shepherd their offspring through uncharted territory. The adults in Mike’s life are excellent role models for parents and teachers.  They give him plenty of information and reassurance, but never reprimand Mike for voicing reluctance or even outright defiance about the move.       Maria Isabel Vaz Guimarães’ captivating illustrations provide whimsical support for the storyline.  The vivid paintings enhance nearly every page.

            The book’s practical advice and wise words resonate:  “. . .your old friends. . . will not disappear.  They are just invisible to our eyes, not our hearts.” (p.52)

            Like any good mystery, The Mission of Detective Mike: Moving Abroad ends with a sweet surprise that will delight young readers. One is left wishing for more books about Mike and his new life abroad.  Fortunately, the authors invite their young readers to e-mail them with ideas and input.  It appears that Mike’s adventures may continue.

Susan Adkins

So, please answer these questions:

1-  Your Nationality

2- What were the 3 most difficult cultural differences you faced in Brazil?

3- What would you tell newcomers s about what they should/should not do?

4- What was the importance of the international community for your experience?
5- In what ways, has the experience of living in Brazil added to your personal growth?

Feel free to say anything (good, bad or constructive) let it all out!

Do you control time or does time control you?

The Brazilians’ lack of punctuality and their ‘ability’ to ignore time can drive foreigners crazy...

continue reading at http://www.interculturalplus.com/us/article3.html

Here it is an interesting summary of the Just Released: Brookfields' Annual Global Relocation Trends Survey (2010) which surveyed 120 multinational firms (which manage a combined worldwide employee population of 5.8 million). Please note the family is still a dominant cause of failure in expatriation!

Key findings: