By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Monday, May 16, 2011
What constitutes 'the real Africa', 'the real Kenya' or the 'real' aspects of any country? Do we base our experience on visiting another country based on stereotypes or media representations or something else that is real we see and experience when we arrive? If we never 'see' or 'experience' what 'others have before us' then what and how do we define our travels?
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Monday, December 20, 2010
A British expat who's been living in Nairobi, Kenya (East Africa) shares some of her pros and cons of living and raising a family in another country.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Monday, December 13, 2010
Anu came from India to small town America in 2006. Moving from Mumbai to Oregon brings a lot of changes. How does Anu balance her new found identity in small town America with her Indian identity? How does she stay connected to her roots and nourish herself while balancing cultural integration being married into an American family? Click in to read some of her story. Thanks for sharing Anu.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Friday, November 12, 2010
 College culture for students and staff have changed in India since Deepa and Brijesh left and returned to India over the past 10 years. What are some of the changes and current conditions they have noticed working as professors in Vellore Institute of Read More »
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Monday, November 01, 2010
Are you interested in knowing more about living abroad or cultural diversity issues? Click in to learn about my Authentic Journeys cross-cultural Facebook Forum.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Monday, October 25, 2010
In India they speak many languages, and none of them are called 'Indian.' India has 28 states (I quoted this wrong in the podcast!), each with different languages with different scripts. These languages and regions vary so much it's like India is made up of many, diverse countries! So, I was asked, how does a country like India with many languages disseminate messages to its people so that everyone can understand? This is the question I attempt to answer in the podcast.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
In this video, I answer the self-reflection questions I posed about my own staring behavior in the previous video. It's not fair for me to ask you and not dig inside myself to find my own answers. What are your answers? You do not need to tell me, but please tell yourself. This will help us understand ourselves and our behavior better. Thanks for your interest in my videos and in learning yourself! You are great!
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Monday, October 04, 2010
The day to observe thanks to the utensils, gadgets and machinery that makes our lives a little easier is what Ayuda Puja is all about. Cars and vehicles are also worshiped on this day.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Friday, September 17, 2010
Well, of course, United Kingdom and United States are two different countries, we learned that in history class- the map tells us so, but what makes them unique? Is it possible to have culture shock when moving between these two nations? Julie and Sanjay share their thoughts on this and other cross-cultural topics.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Ok, so when you meet your spouse abroad, in a home away from home for both of you, and have to adapt and adopt different cultures and languages, what wins? Many people may wonder, and for each person it can differ! Click in to read the experiences of Julie and Sanjay when adapting, adopting and communicating in the three languages of their relationship- U.K. English, American English and Tamil.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Monday, September 13, 2010
Having known Sanjay for over 10 years, I was excited he'd agree to share his thoughts on cross-cultural living here on my blog with his down-to-earth wife, Julie. I met Julie in person last year and immediately understood how these two hit it off! I am so honored that they decided to share about their life and times here on my blog and really challenged the questions as I posed them! Thanks!
(Since the interview and questions are lengthy, I will be posting it in three parts this week! Enjoy!)
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach 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, Cultural Adjustment Coach 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, Cultural Adjustment Coach 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, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Monday, March 29, 2010
A very unique celebration in Southern India that highlights the changing movements of the sun, and during which some read their good fortunes for the next year. In this post, Roopashri shares how she passes down the tradition of Ellu Bella to her daughter across the seven seas in America. Very intriguing! Thanks for shairng this, Roopashri.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Monday, March 15, 2010
An American's journey from the South of U.S.A to the South Americas is an intriguing story of cross-cultural lifestyles and learning about the world!
Click in to read the story of Jon Herrin's journey from America to Mexico!
Thank you, Jon for sharing your story with us!
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Krishna has been working on uploading select, inspiring images from our travels together in the past few years across America and to India. Click into see some of the awesome and inspirational images.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Monday, February 01, 2010
Is there something that you would like others to know about your culture? Is there something that is little-known, or maybe it's a myth or stereotype? Have you experienced different cultures and want to share your experiences?
I have compiled a comprehensive list of questions that you can choose from to get your memories refreshed! I hope to learn about you and your culture to share with the world here on Alaivani- to increase understanding and break down barriers of misundertanding among us! Thank you for your consideration and participation!
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Friday, January 29, 2010
Have you lived in a different city or country than where you were born and raised for a few months, a few years, a few decades? Do you know anyone else who has... and still feels homesick? I share some thoughts on why I think this occurs. I am happy to hear your thoughts, experiences and feedback!
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Thursday, January 28, 2010
People in tropical or arid and sweltering hot climates may desire to experience and even live in climates where snow falls. Sometimes what we dream snow is, is not what we think it is!
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Your culture is mesmerising. What do you find most interesting about your culture? Is there something you would like the world to know about your culture that is misunderstood?
I am starting a series of interviews to help encourage cross-cultural sharing and understanding! I hope you would like to participate! Tune in for more info....
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Thursday, January 21, 2010
There are many resources to learn and understand why people do and behave how they do- the best sourse is the insider source! Find a mentor of someone in the group you want to relate to! If not, then bounce ideas off a mentor, life coach like me! Slideshow video inside.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Moving to a different city or country? Wondering how you will adjust to a new lifestyle and culture? Do you enjoy learning and integrating new ways of expressing life? I have created a five part video training series that explores tips and techniques you can use today to help with culture shock, lifestyle adjustment and fitting in as a newcomer!
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Sankranti is a holiday celebrated in many parts of India under different names with variations on ritual, reason and revelry. Click in to experience this festival as celebrated by some in Karnataka, a central south Indian state.
Submitted by an anonymous Kannidiga friend. Thank you.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Thanksgiving harvest is a mid January tradition in Tamil Nadu, South India. Wonder what are the special traits of this holiday, how it is observed and what to do if you're invited to one's home for this auspicious occasion? Click in to read more.
Photo right: Woman making kolam, design on ground with rice flour, in Tamil village for Pongal 2000.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Are you an Indian (desi) planning to come study in America for your graduate studies? Are you more enthusiastic to join your program if your advisor is desi? Consider the advantages and disadvantages of this choice as expressed by Brijesh in this article. Do share your insight, thoughts, and experiences here or on Brijesh's site.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Can Indians and Americans be attracted to each other for life-long friendships or serious maritial relationships? What do we have in common? Where do we differ that may prevent attraction, relatability or understanding? I explore some of my thoughts on this topic in a video blog.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
After living in India for two years as a typical graduate student at Madras Christian College, some of my close friends and family wanted to know what I learned about India. They had a lot of questions, some were good questions based on studying and knowning other Indian friends, but others were based on myths. This list of myths was created in 2001 from statements and questions people asked me when I returned to USA from India.
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Monday, November 09, 2009
 Are you a Malayalee parent raising your child abroad? Finding it hard to encourage your child to learn Malayalam? Are you loosing touch with your mother tongue?
Are you a non-Malayalee or non-Indian married to a Malayalee and want to learn Malayalam for communicating with your spouse and in-laws?
I am making an attempt to collect some resources you can tap into to maintain a link with your native culture and language or to inspire you to learn about new cultures and languages.
Photo right: by acdme@ flickr used under creative commons. Click on the photo to see the entire photo- it's quite interesting!
Enjoy!!
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By Jennifer Kumar, Cultural Adjustment Coach on
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Click into read more about Diwali.
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