Cross Cultures
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Under the Weight of Expectations
Everyone needs help from time to time—even the people who seem to have everything going for them. Sometimes, it is especially the ones who do well at school/work, the ones who don’t make a fuss, the ones who mask their symptoms well who need your time and care. I work with a wonderful and growing…
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My Experience as an International Student
Embarking on my journey as an international student studying abroad in the USA has been a whirlwind of excitement and growth. Each morning brings the thrill of immersing myself in a new culture and connecting with a diverse array of people. However, there are days when I yearn for the familiar comfort of home and…
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Unveiling the Hidden Struggles: Navigating Mental Health Challenges in India
In a world that’s gradually waking up to the importance of mental health, India’s situation serves as a reminder of the struggles many face with their mental well-being. While conversations around mental well-being have gained momentum, the reality in India is marked by financial constraints, societal stigma, and limited access to healthcare. The Harsh Reality:…
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“Hikikomori and Beyond”: Navigating Social Withdrawal in a Digital Age
Navigating the Maze: Understanding Self-Social Isolation Many of us have experienced it – that pang of loneliness after a long day alone or the awkwardness of entering a crowded room. However, for some young people, social withdrawal becomes a more persistent pattern, a maze they struggle to navigate. This self-imposed isolation, distinct from introversion or…
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From Battlefield to Society: The Lasting Impact of War on Mental Health and Human Behavior
War has long been recognized as a catalyst for significant societal changes. From the devastation it inflicts on physical landscapes to the trauma it leaves on individuals, the effects of war reverberate long after the last battle has been fought. Among the many consequences of war, one of the most significant is its impact on…
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World Mental Health Day – The Right to Mental Health Care
The first time I heard the word “depression” was in my late teens, however, I had experienced it for most of my life. I grew up in an environment where nobody really talked about mental health except when trying to describe schizophrenia (they say that the person is mental). Studies have shown that people of…
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The Ultimate International Experience: Life As Third Culture And Cross Culture Kids
Cultural Identity and Multicultural Experiences Both my parents are Taiwanese and I was born and raised in Taiwan before moving to NZ for a significant period of my early adulthood after high school. I hold two passports and dual citizenship from two different continents. My nephew, 11-year-old, who has a Taiwanese mum and a British…
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Rebellion Against the Model Minority Role
“Asian Doesn’t Start With A+” In a TED talk featuring Olivia Lai’s ‘Asian Doesn’t Start with A+’ at TEDxPhillipsAcademyAndover, she shared that she had been conditioned to accept herself as nothing less than perfection. Like her other Asian-American friends, it was a shared experience among them to crumble under school and work pressures. She reckoned…
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Cross Cultural Kids
At the 2017 Families in Global Transition Conference (FIGT) in The Hague, Netherlands, Ruth van Reken elaborated on the term Cross Cultural Kid . Children are often in more than one of these circles at the same time. (e.g. A traditional TCK who is also from a minority group; a child of immigrants whose parents…
