This week, millions of Americans will be celebrating Thanksgiving - a holiday that was initially established to commemorate the first dinner between those who settled on Plymouth Rock (Pilgrims) and those who were already living on the land (Native Americans). Nowadays, Thanksgiving is a time when families and friends come together as a symbol of gratitude for their role in each others' lives...and to eat too much and watch American football all afternoon!
In this scenario, you - the Expat - may feel like the Pilgrim at times, particularly if you have moved more than once. When you arrive in a new country, you may feel like you have to start all over again to understand and incorporate the cultural nuances of a place that you've never been to/lived in before. At other times, you may feel the need to find a way to "put your mark" on this new endeavor. However, there may be times when you feel like the Native American, who has established a certain set of expectations and values only to have them challenged (and possibly changed) as a function of moving to a new country or having others move to where you are. Regardless of which "role" you may fit into, many of you find a way to adjust so that you can fit in with your surroundings. Others of you, however, may find that to be difficult, and may resonate moreso with the traditional turkey that is served during Thanksgiving dinner - feeling as though you are sacrificing your happiness (for example) for the well-being of others (in this case, the "others" may be the parent whose job moved you in the first place, in particular, or your family's well-being, in general).
As we have said many times throughout our blog entries, Expat Life is full of many positive aspects. However, there are also times when you, as an Expat Teen, may find yourself facing situations that are less-than-ideal. In those situations, you may feel like there are some things that you are not thankful for, and you may wonder who you can talk to in order to find a balance within your life.
Expat Teens Talk is a resource that was written to help Expat Teens who may be struggling with feelings related to Expat Life and Adolescence. We encourage you to read this valuable resource so that you can receive some support for those moments when you do, in fact, feel like the aforementioned turkey - when you just don't see the benefits (for yourself) of the perceived sacrifice.
Our book will be on shelves in a few short weeks, so stay tuned to this blogspot for more details. In the meantime TALK to us and let us know what's on your mind...
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