By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Monday, August 30, 2010

With permission of the webmaster of app2us, a wonderful site giving tips and advice on studying abroad in USA. This article gives tips on applying for visa to America for studies.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, August 27, 2010

Are you trying to learn another language? Are you frustrated or overwhelmed? Especially when one lives in a foreign country others think fluency will come easily. That is not true for many of us; it was not true for me learning Tamil in India. I became frustrated many times. How did I overcome my frustrations? Click in to listen how!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Muslims, Hindus and Jews share some holidays during September 2010.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Monday, August 23, 2010

As an American who had to re-learn everything when I "landed up" in Chennai, "writing exams" or taking tests was no different. I had to learn on my own how to be successful in a new culture by taking up new behaviors, including how to adjust my English to a new writing style with new vocabularly and how to choose and re-write the most popular "quotable quote" for pages on end, challening my American ideals of plagarism to get the 'top marks' and 'pass out' 'first class'.

These tips, written in story format relate to my experience in 1999-2001 at Madras Chistian College in Chennai, India. Maybe this college has new procedures now, I don't know. Also, not all colleges in India probably subscribe to this particular method. If you are going to study in India, you'll want to find out the particular study and test taking habits of your particular college before attempting to use this as a be-all end-all guide of test taking in India!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, August 20, 2010

Are you trying to learn another language? Are you getting frustrated? What are your frustrations and what strategies have you used to overcome your frustrations?

Click into learn what challenges I had in learning Tamil in India. I hope my experiences can help you! Click into listen to my podcasts.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Saturday, August 14, 2010

Padmini Natarajan shares her poetic thoughts during India's 63rd Independence Day. Enjoy this thougtful and inspiring poem showcasing the beauty of India.

Thanks, Padmini.

Happy Independence All!!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, August 13, 2010

I appreciate you, all my fans, loyal and occasional readers for your encouragement. Without you, I know I would have stopped along time ago!

Today WE celebrate the 500th post on Alaivani.com since March 2007! I hope for 500 and countless more to come!

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By Jayanthi on Friday, August 13, 2010

Wonder what it's like to look Indian but feel American in India? I would guess it's a bit like being a fish out of water; as we say here in America. Reading Lisa's account, I can imagine it was. On the outside, Lisa blends in and looks 'like everyone else' because of her Indian heritage, but on the inside which starts to come out- everyone including her realizes something else is underneath it all. You have to click in to read her expeirences finding and fighting stereotypes and identity in India and also following once returning back to 'the States'.

Just enthralling. Thanks a million and a half Lisa for writing this and sharing it here on Alaivani.

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By Jayanthi on Wednesday, August 11, 2010

What happens when a move around the world seems to happen overnight? Does it mean it's meant to be or does it mean something more, something greater, something mysterious and life-defining? Click in to read what happens to Lisa as her life's journey takes her what seems haphazardly to .... a place less familiar than expected!

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By Jayanthi on Sunday, August 08, 2010

Growing up in America has some perks. However, when one's parents don't identify themselves as American or 'act American' at home, this offers both gifts and challenges. Experience growing up in America while trying to balance an Indian and American identity through Lisa's eyes in this three part series that takes Lisa from America across the seven seas to .... India!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, August 06, 2010

Are you an adventerous person? Are you looking for unique or lesser-known places to explore and enjoy? Are you the type that prefer to avoid the large crowds of the normal touristy places to relax in a less crowded but scenic and serene place? Or maybe you want adventure and to visit a place that is a bit challenging to get to and even to enjoy once you reach? All this is possible when you travel on 'backroads' and 'off-the-beaten-path.' In this post, I share a podcast with you about the meanings of these idioms/saying and examples of places I have gone that are Read More »

By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Many have asked me, "How have you, as an American, learned so much about India living there only two years?" I, of course, feel there is an endless amount more to learn, but ten years later, I realize after comparing my situation to others how I learned so much about daily life in India and wove it in to my own life while in India and back in 'the States'.

What were the factors that inspired my integration? Click in to listen to the video or read the transcripts. These tips can help you in integrating into any culture, not just in India. Enjoy and love to hear your comments.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Monday, August 02, 2010

Wondering what some people think of or experience as they prepare to move abroad? Look inside for a video where I discuss some of the thoughts, feelings and experiences had by people as they prepare to move to another country.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, July 30, 2010

Click in to listen to a podcast with tips on how to form this sound with your mouth and words to use as examples to improve your American accent!

 

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Keep busy this month with Ramadan, Onam, Independance Day, Karkidaka Vavu, Parsi New Year, Varalakshmi Vratham, Avani Avittam and Rakhi.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Monday, July 26, 2010

August 20 is the 2010 date for Varalakshmi Vratham. This is a Hindu ritual that is observered by some communities in south India. I have attended this prayer celebration a few times in USA and wanted to share some of the observations including etiquette I witnessed and partook in during the festivities.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, July 23, 2010

The idiom 'irons in the fire' is a positive saying in American casual conversation. Want to know more about the useage of this idiom and the origin?

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Monday, July 19, 2010

Flashback 2003! Read some interesting contributions to my website from people redefining themselves as Hindus and Indians.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, July 16, 2010

These idioms are commonly used in American movies, dramas, westerns and possibly newscasts. Rarely are these sayings used in everyday talk unless talking about someone else outside your social circle- I hope! Enjoy listening to this week's American English idiom podcast.

 

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Barbara who shared her authentic journey from America to Italy with us here in the previous post, today shares twenty interesting aspects of life in Italy.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Monday, July 12, 2010

I have known “Barbara” a few years in person and now virtually after she left U.S. and has been living in Italy the past year or so. It has been interesting to experience Italy through her eyes, and here through her writings. Thanks for taking time to share about your life with us, Barbara.

Photo, right: "Tuscany's Vineyards" by rayced @flickr

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Saturday, July 10, 2010

Look inside for cross-cultural tips on living a cross-cultural India-American inspired life, podcasts for American English learners, Sari Etiquette and American cultural tips, and some information about what I do and why I do it! Enjoy!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, July 02, 2010

Have you ever heard someone say, "Oh that tasted so good because it was made 'from scratch?' This idiom or phrase 'from scratch' is quite common in American English. Open the post, listen to the podcast and enhance your ESL/ESOL American English studies today!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, June 25, 2010

Have you heard someone say 'laundry list'? What is your thoughts on this idiom? What does it mean? Listen to my pod cast to hear my thoughts on this idiom and examples of how to use it.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Wednesday, June 23, 2010

When is Tisha B'av in 2010? When does Ramayana Masam start in 2010? When will Muslims celebrate Lailat al Miraj in 2010? Click in and see the calendar.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Learning to rid of unwanted tangible and intangible things in our life helps us develop ourselves and evolve. I share how I believe the process of ridding, or pruning, of our unwanted traits is a lot like pruning a garden; improving it's appearance, health and beauty.

Transcripts of the video are available for purchase, especially for English learners (ESL, ESOL). Thank you!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Friends!! I want to Introduce you to Cheryl Snell, Author of "Shiva's Arms", did you know Cheryl and I have something in common- both married to Indians and at that a Malayalee? ;-) Her novel on cross-cultural family life and the push-pull of cultural adjustment is a must-read for anyone who likes the topic and specifically for the dynamics of India and America and extended families. Visit my Authentic Journeys Facebook page next Tuesday June 15 to interact in real time with Cheryl Snell on her blog tour, starting here! Thanks Cheryl and Shana for having me go first, what an hono Read More »

By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, June 11, 2010

Ready for a new format to the newsletter? Click inside to see the new format and much more!

Meet Margarita Gokun Silver, cross-cultural mentor, access to free cross-cultural trainings, and look for the live interaction experience you can have with author of cross-cultural novels, Cheryl Snell!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Monday, June 07, 2010

Meet Margarita Gokun Silver. She's a life/executive coach specializing in expatriate and cross-cultural coaching through the Global Coach Center and a fan of Authentic Journeys Fan Page on Read More »

By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, June 04, 2010

In this month's edition of "Blog Bling", I share posts from inspiring people around the globe with interesting perspectives on culture adjustment, cultural trends and fads, lifestyle commentaries and culture shock.

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