Third Culture Kid Spotlight: Meet Jenny!

This global citizen and adult third culture kid is truly remarkable. Meet Jenny!

What is your name? 

Jenny Vera Sorn Jensen

Where were you born?

Bangkok, Thailand

What is your heritage?

Danish, 

German, 

Thai, 

Chinese, 

and Native American

Where have you lived and how long at each place?

Merrill, Wisconsin 2 years

Mumbai, India 3 years,

Mahe, Seychelles 3 years,

Istanbul, Turkey 2 years,

Bangkok, Thailand 3.5 years,

New Delhi India 3 years,

Green Bay Wisconsin, USA 2.5

Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA 2.5

Silver Spring, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Burke, Virginia USA 3 years,

Raleigh North Carolina, USA 15 years,

Atlanta, Georgia USA, 1 year

What is your definition of 'home' and how is it different from those around you?

I discovered while I was in college, that home was a very different concept for me versus my peers. This came to light when a good friend of mine was sad and upset that her parents were selling her childhood home.  To her home was that house, she had the same bedroom from birth till she went to college. I could not wrap my head around that concept. To me home was where ever I happen to be, it’s not structure, not really a place even, just where I am.

Where do you consider home and why?

My definition of home has not changed, it is where I happen to be. Even when I visit places I tend to call the hotel room, ‘home,’ and the place where all my things are as home base. Right now home base is Atlanta.

However, when people ask me where I am from, I tend to say Raleigh, North Carolina since I lived there for 15 years. It is much easier to say that then to explain, why I’m from everywhere and nowhere and feel like a citizen of the world. 

Do you have interests in the following: foreign languages, international relations, travelling, international politics, different cultures of the world, etc...  Yes/No If so, do you think your background has helped you develop these interests? 

Yes!! I believe my background helped foster my love and  for travelling, history, foreign languages, international politics and cultures.  I realized once I came to study in my country of passport that I was the odd duck out. Many of my peers never moved from their birth city, let alone lived outside the US.  At an early age TCK’s learn to adapt, explore and adopt languages, customs and weave those into our own fabrics. This makes us unique, since we lived in places that most people only read about, or see in movies. What some consider far flung places we use to call home base, and we saw firsthand how policies and politics play out on the world stage. We were effected. By the age of 10 I have lived through 2 coup attempts in the Seychelles Islands, and while the majority of the world does not follow what goes on in that tiny island nation- I do.  The need to know what is going on in the places I lived in is very strong. My heart has been broken many times over the violence and elections in Istanbul. To know that New Delhi is getting hotter each year due to climate change is hard to observe.  I follow my old home base cities closely, but also follow the rest of the world.

What are your thoughts on globalization? Current political situation? 

The world has gotten smaller and smaller with each passing year. I grew up in a world with no email, and received my first email address when I got to college. Now I can video chat with my cousins in Thailand through a phone. Technology is amazing! The world will continue to get smaller for better or worse, and I try to see the good that comes from that, but I am well aware of the consequences too. Politically, this world is in a mess- not just the USA and the UK,  but the whole world. I view this as the last gasp of the an old ways of thinking, and this will pass.

How are your thoughts on world affairs different from those around you?

I believe I am more interested and in tune with world affairs than most of my peers and colleagues. Most people only care about what is happening in their own surroundings, with not much attention to rest of the world. However, I have found some of my peers are interested in European politics, but that is where that interest ends.  

Do you plan on incorporating a large amount of travel with your career?

Yes yes yes! In fact I travel a lot in my current position, and I believe more travel is on the horizon and I welcome it with open arms!

Connect with Jenny on Facebook and LinkedIn

Thank you Jenny for sharing your story!! If you would like to be featured on this series please drop me an email at ahdancecompany@gmail.com

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Third Culture Kid Spotlight: Lisa

A fascinating woman who I've come to know through the TCK networks and has lived all over the world. Meet Lisa! 

1. What is your name? 

Risa but I go by Lisa (it does make a difference! Read more about it here: https://melibeeglobal.com/blog/2012/12/cultural-lessons-in-a-name/)

2. Where were you born? 

Tokyo, Japan

3. What is your heritage? 

100% Japanese 

4. Where have you lived and how long at each place?

Tokyo, Japan: 8 months

Sao Paolo, Brazil: 2 years

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 2 years

Seattle, WA, USA: 4 years

Bronx, NY, USA: 3 years

Mexico City, Mexico: 9 years

Pullman, WA, USA: 4 years

Seattle, WA: 6 years

Farmington, NM, USA: almost 3 years

5. What is your definition of "home" and how is it different from those around you? 

My definition of 'home' has changed these last couple of years. It used to be that 'home' is wherever my parents lived. My parents continuously kept the inside of our houses the same wherever we lived, so it never felt different.  Sure, the outside and layout of our houses/apartment were different depending on which country we lived in, but the inside never changed.  After moving out of my parents' house, living on my own, I've slowly shifted the definition of home to where I feel I can make it on my own.  Many TCKs I know can't pinpoint one location as home, and I can agree.  "Home" is not a location, it's more of a state of mind, or feeling.

6. Where do you consider "home" and why? 

Whenever a world event is occurring like the Olympics or World Cup, I always root for Brazil, Japan, and the US.  I suppose that's because I've lived there, and will always be my homes.

7. Do you have interests in the following: foreign languages, international relations, travelling, international politics, different cultures of the world, etc...  Yes/No If so, do you think your background has helped you develop these interests? 

Yes to all.  I think my background as a TCK really developed these interests as it's always been a part of my life and who I am as an individual. 

8. What are your thoughts on globalization? Current political situation? 

I think the term globalization has come and gone throughout the years, but the concept remains.  It's come to a point where it's so fluid within our daily lives, that not many step back to see what's really going on.  Technology at times blends the idea we may be closer to one another than we might think, but, we have a long journey ahead to really see how globalization affects us on a societal level.  We need to be aware and understand what's going on around us, not just internationally but locally--ask questions, and dig deeper to understand others' points of views.

9. How are your thoughts on world affairs different from those around you?  

Some of my thoughts are the same as Americans, and other times, slightly different.  We have all led different paths of life, so there's going to be similarities and differences.  The important part of all of this is to be able to create spaces that allows for a free form of dialogue.  

10. Do you plan on incorporating a large amount of travel with your career?  

I'd love to be in a career that allows me to travel as part of my job, but in the mean time, I will always take time to explore the unknown. 

Website: https://about.me/lisazenno

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tckcoug/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisazenno/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tckwsucoug

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tckcoug/

Thank you Lisa for sharing your story!! If you would like to be featured on this series please drop me an email at ahdancecompany@gmail.com

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Third Culture Kid Spotlight: Miyon

1. What is your name?

Miyon

2. Where were you born?

South Korea

3. What is your heritage?

Korean

4. Where have you lived and how long at each place?

Not in a chronological order due to travels between countries:

Korea - 6 years

Japan - 6 years

Hong Kong - 2.5 years

New Zealand 0.5 years

U.S.A. - 8 years

5. What is your definition of "home" and how is it different from those around you?

Home is where I feel most comfortable. it is a place where I can meet my friends in the local area. It doesn't have to be a home from childhood, but it is the good memories that make me nostalgic and I call them homes.

6. Where do you consider "home" and why?

I consider my currrent home to be where I am now and where my friends currently live. Wherever I go, it is my being that carry with me. It is the relationships with others that tie me to the common experience associated with them.

7. Do you have interests in the following: foreign languages, international relations, travelling, international politics, different cultures of the world, etc... Yes/No

If so, do you think your background has helped you develop these interests?

Definitely. I am majored in international studies and I speak 3 languages fluently and took foreign language courses in 3 languages during college years. I studied abroad and traveled on my own, and am usually the first one to welcome new people (both international and domestic) that I meet on campus.

8. What are your thoughts on globalization? Current political situation?

Globalization is not something new. It's been there for thousands of years, if not longer. but I see that third culture kids are increasing in number and that will change the political dynamic as it already has including the Obama administration team.

9. How are your thoughts on world affairs different from those around you?

That world affairs is related to borders and how we define borders is tied to the political economy.

10. Do you plan on incorporating a large amount of travel with your career?

I will ultimately. I plan to work in the US and later in China, but I also would like to travel extensively in the future years that follow

11. Any last comments to future Third Culture Kids/Cross Culture Kids, any words of wisdom?

TCKs are unique but we are human just like everyone else. We all have a need for belonging and certainty. When we can embrace both the blessings and challenges from the place of grace, we can unleash the inner power to better serve the humanity. Be gracious to the process and don't forget to follow your passion. You are a gift to the world.

Thank You Miyon!!! If you would like to be a part of this series, please drop me an email at ahdancecompany@gmail.com

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Third Culture Kid Spotlight: Gabby

Gabby is a travel blogger and TCK, just like me. You can find her blog at Packs Light, an interesting girl who is passionate about travel, life, and making the world a better place.

1. What is your name?

Gabrielle, but you can call me Gabby! 

2. Where were you born?

San Diego, California, USA.

3. What is your heritage?

My father is 100% Jamaican.

My mother is 25% Italian, 25% Finnish, and 50% Cherokee-American mix.

4. Where have you lived and how long at each place?

California, USA - 1 year

Missouri, USA - 1 year

Virginia, USA - 5 years

Okinawa, Japan - 3 years

Virginia - 12 years

Dubai, UAE - 1 year

Virginia - currently

5. What is your definition of "home" and how is it different from those around you?

Home is not yet a concept to me. Home is whatever space I'm in at the time where I'm comfortable, and can hang my clothes up in a closet.

Other people may consider home where you've lived the longest or even where the majority of their family is, but that's just not how it is for me. I think I'll consider home where I start my career or find my significant other.

6. Do you have interests in the following: foreign languages, international relations, travelling, international politics, different cultures of the world, etc...  Yes/No If so, do you think your background has helped you develop these interests?

Yes I do! I actually have won multiple study abroad scholarships, and my year in Dubai was spent studying Middle Eastern studies and Arabic. I'm finishing up my degree in Mathematics now, but hope to get a career in international relations or international business.

7. What are your thoughts on globalization? Current political situation?

Globalization in an inevitability of the world. The more interconnected the world becomes, between governments and cultures and business, the better it is for all of us. Of course I think it's important to remember ones culture and geniology and respect it, I think it's more important to be globally aware.

8. How are your thoughts on world affairs different from those around you?

As I said, I try to have a more global and culturally relative perspective. My favorite quotes are, "You can't hate someone when you know their story", and "History will repeat itself".

9. Do you plan on incorporating a large amount of travel with your career?

Inshallah!

Thanks for sharing your story Gabby! 

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