THE WANDERLUSTERS MIND PODCAST

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

Iceland, Vikings and Medieval Norse Studies...a different world with Hannah Hethmon

Hannah Hethmon is an independent museum and public history professional. Currently based in Warsaw, she is the producer and host of Museums in Strange Places, a podcast that explores the world through museums. She has a master's degree in Viking and Medieval Norse Studies.

In 2013, Hannah moved to Iceland for two years to do her Master's degree in Viking and Medieval Norse Studies. During that time, she did an exchange semester in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2015, she moved back to the greater Washington, D.C. area for a few months before moving to Nashville, Tennessee for work. In 2017, Hannah returned to Iceland for a Fulbright Fellowship to learn Icelandic and study Icelandic museums. In May 2018, she moved to Warsaw, Poland to live with her Finnish husband for the first time after a 4 year long-distance relationship that started in Iceland in 2014.

Hannah juggled a long distance relationship, reverse culture shock and studying in Iceland.

About Hannah

“Everytime I move, I go through a lot of crying!”

— Hannah Hethmon

When coming home...

Emotions and differences Hannah faced - This was a challenge to start new groups of friends. Hannah cried a lot when she got home. She was also in a long distance relationship.
What had changed for Hannah - She was in a job with many people older than her so she didn’t really relate to them. Building the community and making friends with like minded friends.
Biggest stress for Hannah - Long distance relationship, feeling lonely yet excited to be in a new place.
How Hannah supported herself - Met people through groups, she wished there was a ‘Tinder’ for friends and then she found this on Bumble BFF. Hannah called and spoke to her mum a lot. Hannah started hobbies such as cooking, yoga and getting into a routine. She found the joy in a normal daily routine
How her mindset had changed - She was exposed to a lot of ways of thinking, looked at the religion she followed and started to explore her beliefs a little more. Started volunteering and trying to find connections
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

Its important to have people around you that you can count on.
Go to museums as these places hold stories and people who are very passionate to share with you.
Wait before you apply stereotypes to others and be willing to see people honestly.

Advise to herself for returning home - Meet people as fast as you can, find anyone to do things with and then enjoy the place your at. There is always something to learn. Find the things you have never seen where you are.

“I want to keep moving but it takes me about 2 years to form a solid community.”

— Hannah Hethmon

Igniting friendships when returning home from travel.

One of the hardest things, I found when returning home from long term travel was re-establishing my friendship circles. There was a mixture of old friends, plus new ones and other friends I was meeting along the way. There were often times when I so desperately wanted to meet with an old friend and it just take off from where we left off, but instead I found that I was the one, pushing and driving and hoping the friendship would be the same, when it was never going to be that way, it had taken a new path.

One of the hardest things that so many people face I when returning home from long term travel is re-establishing my friendship circles.

“People come into our life for a reason, a season or a lifetime, when you figure out which it is, you will know exactly what to do.”

What I have learned when reconnecting with old friends.

APPROACH EACH FRIEND WITH ENTHUSIASM AND A ‘PICK UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF’ MENTALITY.

Be the one to actively approach and reach out to old friends to arrange to catch up.
Be interested in what they have been doing with their life as well as sharing your story.

RELEASE EXPECTATIONS ABOUT HOW YOUR RELATIONSHIPS ‘SHOULD’ BE.

Relationships may now be different closer or more distance depending on what has changed.
The friendship doesn't have to be the same as it was.
Acknowledge you have changed.
Your friends may have changed or they may not have, both is ok.

CONTINUE TO SEEK NEW FRIENDS IN YOUR OLD HOME.

Like on your your travels don’t let go of this skill just because you are now at home.
Seek like minded people though community and events.
Be the one to go first even if it feels out of your comfort zone

Dylan Bennett - A passion for languages and addiction to culture shock.

Dylan Bennett was born in Darwin, Australia he has a passion for languages and an addiction to culture shock. He graduated as a teacher because it gave him the best chance possible to travel, have since taught in Indonesia, Spain and China.

After finishing university in Lombok Indonesia and after a year teaching in Australia, spent the next 5 years moving every year; Murcia, Madrid, Darwin, Shanghai and now currently in Melbourne.

Living and working in Spain, following love back home to Australia, moving to Shanghai and back to Australia again.

About Dylan

After finishing university in Lombok Indonesia and after a year teaching in Australia, spent the next 5 years moving every year; Murcia, Madrid, Darwin, Shanghai and now currently in Melbourne.

“Surround yourself with like minded globally aware people.”

— Dylan Bennett

When coming home...

Emotions Dylan faced - saw that there were parts his country/culture was not as great as he remembered. "took of the rose coloured glasses!" Felt bored.
Biggest Stress - Pressure to meet to social norms, feeling like an outsider in his friendship group.
How Dylan supported himself - Focusing on the next exciting chapter and getting back into a good routine.
How did his mindset change - Over emphasise the closing off of his adventure.
Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock