THE WANDERLUSTERS MIND PODCAST

Abby Lewtas 12/6/18 Abby Lewtas 12/6/18

Megan Norton - A global upbringing as a 'third culture kid.'

Having lived in 10 countries and 5 U.S. States, Megan is no stranger to global mobility and navigating change. She currently lives in the U.S. but travels frequently for work as an English teacher and independent education consultant. After completing her undergraduate degree, she decided to move to Europe. She hopped around a bit in her 20's from Austria to Greece and from Hungary to Poland. Megan completed a Masters in Europe and began her teaching career there.

Megan grew up in 6 countries before she was 18 and continued travelling and living abroad, she now helps others with intercultural transitions.

About Megan

After completing her undergraduate degree, she decided to move to Europe. She hopped around a bit in her 20's from Austria to Greece and from Hungary to Poland. Megan completed a Masters in Europe and began her teaching career there.

“I felt I belonged to a professional identity, but how do I feel like I belong to my community and how do I feel like I belong to my friends.”

— Megan Norton

When coming home...

Emotions Megan faced - Paradox. Happy on many different levels, scared, frustrated and scared.
How her thinking changed - Different stages of life. Friends had moved to all over the world.
Biggest Stress - A sense of belonging in the community and in friendship circles.
How Megan supported herself - Self reflection on her identity, having realistic memories of your travels.
4 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

Reflect - Self reflection to understand who you are.
Reframe - Sometimes you have to reframe your story so it resonates with others.
Reconnect - to a new community.
Reinvent - Reinvent what you have to be to fit into your community.

Advise to herself for returning home - be gentle with yourself.

“Sometimes I have to reframe my story so I am not alienating myself.”

— Megan Norton

Hannah Morris - Humble beginnings to intercultural learning.

Dr. Morris (Hannah) is an international educator and world traveler passionate about assisting others as they navigate their own intercultural transitions. Her current work is based on her professional experiences abroad along with her research in higher education and intercultural learning and it has enabled her to combine the academic and practical knowledge of cross-cultural transitions to help students, families, and schools around the globe.

Having visited over 50 countries Hannah met her partner whilst living in India and now helps others with student re-entry transitions.

About Hannah

Dr. Hannah Morris is an international educator and world traveller passionate about assisting others as they navigate their own intercultural transitions. Her current work is based on her professional experiences abroad along with her research in higher education and intercultural learning and it has enabled her to combine the academic and practical knowledge of cross-cultural transitions to help students, families, and schools around the globe.

Hannah was born with the travel bug. A daughter of an adult third culture kid and a self-described gypsy, she has visited over 50 countries and lived on four continents. She met her partner at a Halloween party in New Delhi, India while she was leading a group of students in Incredible India. A year later she moved to Delhi to live with him and a year and a half later they re-entered the US to spend a year in DC, a new city for Hannah.

“Surround yourself with a really supportive group of people who you know will cheer you on.”

— Dr. Hannah Morris

When coming home...

Emotions Hannah faced - Difficulties with political situations and reigniting friendship circles. She felt lost.
How Hannah supported herself - Completing re-entry transition before heading off again. Being a tourist in her own town. Find things to appreciate every day. Being open to meet new people.
How did her mindset change - Sharing her feelings with others, realising that its ok to be sad.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock.

Friendship groups dont magically happen when you return home, you have to work to create and foster them.
Work to your strengths, don't just make your ideas fit.
Enjoy the ride - make the best out of everything you can.