Think East While Living West - Bridging Cultures

In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, Doreen interviews Kirtika van Hunen-Malla  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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