Think East While Living West - Bridging Cultures

In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, Doreen interviews Kirtika............ who shares her experiences of living across cultures and how Eastern philosophies have shaped her understanding of international living. Here are some key highlights from their conversation:

1. Background & Cross-Cultural Upbringing:
   • Kirtika grew up with a unique blend of Indian and Nepali cultures, which provided her with a rich cultural perspective even before moving to the West.
2. Eastern Philosophical Influence:
   • Kirtika discusses how the Eastern approach to life, focusing on acceptance and adaptability, has helped her navigate different cultural environments with less conflict.
3. Intercultural Marriage:
   • She shares insights from her intercultural marriage with her Dutch husband, emphasizing the importance of understanding different communication rhythms and pacing.
4. Culture and Self-Awareness:
   • A significant part of the discussion revolves around the idea that understanding culture starts with self-awareness and knowing one's core identity.
5. Code Switching:
   • Kirtika explains the concept of code switching and how it can be a valuable tool for adapting between cultures without losing one's identity.
6. Professional Cross-Cultural Misconceptions:
   • They talk about common misunderstandings in cross-cultural communication and the importance of providing newcomers with an understanding of local cultural norms.
7. Wisdom from Eastern Philosophies:
   • Kirtika stresses the importance of self-awareness and the art of responding rather than reacting, which she believes is rooted in Eastern philosophies.
8. World Citizenship:
   • Kirtika shares her perception of being a world citizen and how it involves feeling at home anywhere and embracing a global heartedness.
9. Lightning Round:
   • Fun quickfire questions reveal Kirtika's desire to learn Italian and her love for the idea of feeling at home wherever her heart resides.
10. When Cultures Meet:

• Kirtika introduces her book, "When Cultures Meet," which compiles years of research and anecdotes to help people navigate cultural differences in professional settings.

The episode concludes with a key takeaway from Kirtika: 

"Know thyself and stand strong in your personal identity to effectively engage in intercultural interactions."

Thanks for lending us your ears!

https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Camel-Lane-Embrace-Adventure/dp/0578607352
www.doreenmcumberford.com

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