THE WANDERLUSTERS MIND PODCAST

Abby Lewtas 25/9/18 Abby Lewtas 25/9/18

The 'third space.' Growing up in Germany to a life in Australia with Kati Craythorn

From teenage years on, Kati has wanted to explore Australia but never quite envisaged getting "stuck" here. Kati grew up behind the Berlin Wal, in East Berlin. Travel always had a bit of an exotic allure to Kati and she has now lived almost half her life in Australia, and sometimes she wonders whether her "extended period abroad" will ever come to an end.

Travel became a reality for Kati after growing up behind the Berlin Wall. She has spent time in South Africa for her PHD but now resides in Australia.

About Kati

From teenage years, Kati wanted to explore Australia but never quite envisaged getting "stuck" here. Kati grew up behind the Berlin Wall, in East Berlin. Travel always had a bit of an exotic allure to Kati. She now has lived almost half her life in Australia, and sometimes she wonders whether her "extended period abroad" will ever come to an end.

Whilst still German at heart, Australia has changed her in so many ways that now find parts of the German psyche and mentality alien. Kati loves going back to see her family but admits that sometimes pretends not to be German because it makes life easier. When her family comes out to Australia, she is always struck by what they find curious and remark upon - things she doesn’t notice or take for granted.

“People smile because they genuinely want to smile.”

— Kati Craythorn

When coming home...

Emotions Kati faced - Life has gone on back home and Kati faces conflicting emotions like a deep sense of being home whilst also feeling isolated.
What changed for Kati - Going home felt like going back to normal life. Now, after 18 years she founds very integrated here in Australia. Family and friends change and she finds she is re-building relationships.
How Kati used her mindset - Working on letting go of judgment and letting go of what you see on the surface.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

You are stronger than you think.
The importance of smile.
How important her family is.

Advise to herself for returning home - Just let go!

“Just let go and go with the flow.”

— Kati Craythorn

Cate Brubaker - An obsession for Germany to leading and helping others live a global life.

Cate is an author, teacher, and part-time nomad based in North Carolina, USA. For over 20 years she has helped all kinds of global souls successfully navigate international and intercultural transitions. She has lived, studied, worked and traveled in 36 countries on four continents and never says no to gelato.

Cate caught the travel bug in a big way where she continually returned to Europe, became independent and finally decided to lead a life helping others with re-entry and repartiation.

About Cate

Cate moved to Germany at 16 to live with a German family and attend a German school for her senior year of high school, then returned for a year of college, then to teach English for a year after college, then for several shorter stints to teach German for a study abroad program and do research.

Cate is also a workshops facilitator, speaker and worked with international schools in Europe, Latin America, and Australia. And, of course, she has traveled a lot including taking career breaks to travel with her husband.

“Going abroad just throw you off kilter in such a good way and it can make you question everything about yourself.”

— Cate Brubaker

When coming home...

Emotions Cate faced - Didn't want to go home and really resisted the transition. Excited to see family and friends, felt very disconnected. Conflicting emotions and Cate didn't know how to be the person she was in Germany back home. Feelings of guilt
Biggest stress - Felt like she had lost her life from abroad and her life from home.
How Cate supported herself - Wrote in her journal, had some amazing people who were wonderful support systems for her. Cate wrote chain letters with her connections abroad (in the 90s before the internet).
How Cate used her mindset - she set out with a new attitude, like she could do anything. She would 'just do it!' A lot of seeds were planted during this time and it took her 20 years to process the experiance.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock