Statement of Purpose
Stories have the power to create a sense of community, of belonging, and this site shares the stories of individuals who travel, live, study, work, serve, and volunteer cross-culturally. This includes international and national experiences. By hearing their stories and those of their supporters, hopefully we will gain an understanding of the experience from a variety of points of view.
Sojourners often report difficulties when transitioning to the host culture, but are often surprised to experience problems when they return to their home culture as well. These issues include difficult interpersonal communication with family and friends, language barriers, difficulty establishing relationships with host nationals, and psychological distress. Often, sojourners are left feeling apart from both their host and their home cultures.
This site is meant to create a place where we can share our experiences, learn from others, and, most importantly, provide a sense of belonging and understanding.
Sojourners often report difficulties when transitioning to the host culture, but are often surprised to experience problems when they return to their home culture as well. These issues include difficult interpersonal communication with family and friends, language barriers, difficulty establishing relationships with host nationals, and psychological distress. Often, sojourners are left feeling apart from both their host and their home cultures.
This site is meant to create a place where we can share our experiences, learn from others, and, most importantly, provide a sense of belonging and understanding.
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Behind the Curtain:
The Constant Foreigner is a project created by Mandi Lindner.
Mandi is a world traveler turned young professional. She has lived in Hungary and in Italy, and has traveled extensively throughout Europe. Currently, she is a graduate student at Marquette University studying Journalism and Digital Storytelling. The Constant Foreigner was produced as part of her Master's professional project.
Mandi says of her experience abroad, "I was an ambassador of my American culture to the people I met in Eastern Europe, and also had a dual purpose as a proponent and teacher of the Hungarian culture in my blog and through my photos and newsletters." Now returned to the U.S. she is studying intercultural communication and still taking up the mantle of a missionary whose task it is to encourage and nurture understanding across cultures.
She is interested in the societal, political, and cultural forces affecting individuals who spend significant time abroad. "Only by understanding each other and the paradigms that help shape our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors may we work together to increase tolerance and decrease ignorance."
For more information about Mandi and her work, visit her homepage at www.mandilindner.com.
Mandi is a world traveler turned young professional. She has lived in Hungary and in Italy, and has traveled extensively throughout Europe. Currently, she is a graduate student at Marquette University studying Journalism and Digital Storytelling. The Constant Foreigner was produced as part of her Master's professional project.
Mandi says of her experience abroad, "I was an ambassador of my American culture to the people I met in Eastern Europe, and also had a dual purpose as a proponent and teacher of the Hungarian culture in my blog and through my photos and newsletters." Now returned to the U.S. she is studying intercultural communication and still taking up the mantle of a missionary whose task it is to encourage and nurture understanding across cultures.
She is interested in the societal, political, and cultural forces affecting individuals who spend significant time abroad. "Only by understanding each other and the paradigms that help shape our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors may we work together to increase tolerance and decrease ignorance."
For more information about Mandi and her work, visit her homepage at www.mandilindner.com.
