our next speakers are from the speak trauma foundation sandy Ramsay is a
trauma foundation sandy Ramsay is a
trauma foundation sandy Ramsay is a self-identified third culture kid she
self-identified third culture kid she
self-identified third culture kid she aspires to create and spread knowledge
aspires to create and spread knowledge
aspires to create and spread knowledge and inspire Sandy’s most passionate
and inspire Sandy’s most passionate
and inspire Sandy’s most passionate about women’s rights and the concept of
about women’s rights and the concept of
about women’s rights and the concept of identity and homeland she is currently a
identity and homeland she is currently a
identity and homeland she is currently a student at a student of advertising at
student at a student of advertising at
student at a student of advertising at the american university of sharjah as
the american university of sharjah as
the american university of sharjah as well as the PR and research coordinator
well as the PR and research coordinator
well as the PR and research coordinator of speak trauma foundation and we also
of speak trauma foundation and we also
of speak trauma foundation and we also have Xena afrah afara a 22 year old
have Xena afrah afara a 22 year old
have Xena afrah afara a 22 year old still searching for identity she she
still searching for identity she she
still searching for identity she she aims to help others with her foolish
aims to help others with her foolish
aims to help others with her foolish abilities her life motto is dum spiro
abilities her life motto is dum spiro
abilities her life motto is dum spiro spero which is latin for when i breathe
spero which is latin for when i breathe
spero which is latin for when i breathe i hope she is currently a student of
i hope she is currently a student of
i hope she is currently a student of public relations at the american
public relations at the american
public relations at the american university of sharjah as well as
university of sharjah as well as
university of sharjah as well as director of visual and audio
director of visual and audio
director of visual and audio storytelling at speak trauma Xena and
storytelling at speak trauma Xena and
storytelling at speak trauma Xena and sandy you have the floor hello my friend
sandy you have the floor hello my friend
sandy you have the floor hello my friend long time no see she is a morning person
long time no see she is a morning person
long time no see she is a morning person she definitely is not she always picks
she definitely is not she always picks
she definitely is not she always picks up my calls her phone is always off I
up my calls her phone is always off I
up my calls her phone is always off I contemplate our friendship because I
contemplate our friendship because I
contemplate our friendship because I make you take the stairs yeah but you
make you take the stairs yeah but you
make you take the stairs yeah but you can make it up to me if you let me touch
can make it up to me if you let me touch
can make it up to me if you let me touch your hair I hate it when people touch my
your hair I hate it when people touch my
your hair I hate it when people touch my hair but in all seriousness I’m sandy
hair but in all seriousness I’m sandy
hair but in all seriousness I’m sandy I’m Xena my parents are Egyptian really
I’m Xena my parents are Egyptian really
I’m Xena my parents are Egyptian really really Egyptian my dad is Palestinian
really Egyptian my dad is Palestinian
really Egyptian my dad is Palestinian and my mom is Filipino but we’re neither
and my mom is Filipino but we’re neither
and my mom is Filipino but we’re neither what does that mean what is identity do
what does that mean what is identity do
what does that mean what is identity do I belong to the place my parents are
I belong to the place my parents are
I belong to the place my parents are from can I have more than one identity
from can I have more than one identity
from can I have more than one identity what is my identity before my search of
what is my identity before my search of
what is my identity before my search of identity I met the founder of speak
identity I met the founder of speak
identity I met the founder of speak trauma Susan Smith she questioned she
trauma Susan Smith she questioned she
trauma Susan Smith she questioned she sorry she made me question what my
sorry she made me question what my
sorry she made me question what my identity was and where I feel like I
identity was and where I feel like I
identity was and where I feel like I belonged she questioned what home was so
belonged she questioned what home was so
belonged she questioned what home was so when I started meeting new people I
when I started meeting new people I
when I started meeting new people I realized he’d ask me really weird
realized he’d ask me really weird
realized he’d ask me really weird questions like who you are where are you
questions like who you are where are you
questions like who you are where are you from what is your nationality and I
from what is your nationality and I
from what is your nationality and I thought it was weird like why would they
thought it was weird like why would they
thought it was weird like why would they say something like that why is my
say something like that why is my
say something like that why is my nationality a topic of conversation so
nationality a topic of conversation so
nationality a topic of conversation so when I used to take cabs a lot most of
when I used to take cabs a lot most of
when I used to take cabs a lot most of our journey was where I’m from where the
our journey was where I’m from where the
our journey was where I’m from where the cab driver would guess where I’m from
cab driver would guess where I’m from
cab driver would guess where I’m from and even when I’m about to pay in the
and even when I’m about to pay in the
and even when I’m about to pay in the cashier the research they pop up the
cashier the research they pop up the
cashier the research they pop up the question where are you from a Down am I
question where are you from a Down am I
question where are you from a Down am I taken back by it like okay and I and I
taken back by it like okay and I and I
taken back by it like okay and I and I used to be such an accommodating person
used to be such an accommodating person
used to be such an accommodating person I would I would always answer the way
I would I would always answer the way
I would I would always answer the way people wanted me to answer so if an Arab
people wanted me to answer so if an Arab
people wanted me to answer so if an Arab asked me where I was from I tell them a
asked me where I was from I tell them a
asked me where I was from I tell them a Palestinian and when an asian asked me
Palestinian and when an asian asked me
Palestinian and when an asian asked me where I was from I tell them I’m a
where I was from I tell them I’m a
where I was from I tell them I’m a Filipino
yes the speak trauma foundation started
yes the speak trauma foundation started with idea out of how trauma destroys
with idea out of how trauma destroys
with idea out of how trauma destroys lives and wanted to do something about
lives and wanted to do something about
lives and wanted to do something about it so we live in a culture where if we
it so we live in a culture where if we
it so we live in a culture where if we say something or we want to say
say something or we want to say
say something or we want to say something we can get judged on it easily
something we can get judged on it easily
something we can get judged on it easily especially if it’s mental issues or
especially if it’s mental issues or
especially if it’s mental issues or simply if we’re just feeling emotional
simply if we’re just feeling emotional
simply if we’re just feeling emotional so one of the things big trauma does is
so one of the things big trauma does is
so one of the things big trauma does is that we set up open mic nights with the
that we set up open mic nights with the
that we set up open mic nights with the help of american university of sharjah
help of american university of sharjah
help of american university of sharjah and we give people the opportunity to
and we give people the opportunity to
and we give people the opportunity to speak up and say what they wanted to
speak up and say what they wanted to
speak up and say what they wanted to feel like they are part of something
feel like they are part of something
feel like they are part of something they’re part of a community that will
they’re part of a community that will
they’re part of a community that will not judge them whatsoever I was very
not judge them whatsoever I was very
not judge them whatsoever I was very interested in the work speak trauma was
interested in the work speak trauma was
interested in the work speak trauma was doing I questioned my identity at a very
doing I questioned my identity at a very
doing I questioned my identity at a very young age and finally settled for what i
young age and finally settled for what i
young age and finally settled for what i call the definite unknown it I call that
call the definite unknown it I call that
call the definite unknown it I call that a third culture kid a TCK author of
a third culture kid a TCK author of
a third culture kid a TCK author of third culture kids growing up among
third culture kids growing up among
third culture kids growing up among world’s David Pollack explains that a
world’s David Pollack explains that a
world’s David Pollack explains that a third culture kid is a person who has
third culture kid is a person who has
third culture kid is a person who has spent a significant amount a part of his
spent a significant amount a part of his
spent a significant amount a part of his or her developmental years outside their
or her developmental years outside their
or her developmental years outside their parent culture in addition he says that
parent culture in addition he says that
parent culture in addition he says that t CK’s build relationships with many
t CK’s build relationships with many
t CK’s build relationships with many cultures while not having full ownership
cultures while not having full ownership
cultures while not having full ownership of any a cultural hybridity if you will
of any a cultural hybridity if you will
of any a cultural hybridity if you will this hybrida team makes it difficult to
this hybrida team makes it difficult to
this hybrida team makes it difficult to for some to assimilate in their host
for some to assimilate in their host
for some to assimilate in their host countries and may create an inner
countries and may create an inner
countries and may create an inner conflict this may feel like a hindrance
conflict this may feel like a hindrance
conflict this may feel like a hindrance but we believe that that that this
but we believe that that that this
but we believe that that that this broadens your horizons and creates
broadens your horizons and creates
broadens your horizons and creates opportunities and experiences otherwise
opportunities and experiences otherwise
opportunities and experiences otherwise and available to you as for your
and available to you as for your
and available to you as for your identity there is no rule set in stone
identity there is no rule set in stone
identity there is no rule set in stone that you have to be from one place or
that you have to be from one place or
that you have to be from one place or many places consider how globalization
many places consider how globalization
many places consider how globalization has played a role in shaping your
has played a role in shaping your
has played a role in shaping your identity if you choose to identify with
identity if you choose to identify with
identity if you choose to identify with one place do you think that you are
one place do you think that you are
one place do you think that you are completely and wholly from that one
completely and wholly from that one
completely and wholly from that one place if you’re having trouble answering
place if you’re having trouble answering
place if you’re having trouble answering that question just consider the clothes
that question just consider the clothes
that question just consider the clothes that you’re wearing or the language that
that you’re wearing or the language that
that you’re wearing or the language that you think in and the languages that you
you think in and the languages that you
you think in and the languages that you speak more dominantly a quote I
speak more dominantly a quote I
speak more dominantly a quote I personally sought comfort in comfort in
personally sought comfort in comfort in
personally sought comfort in comfort in the possibility of not knowing
the possibility of not knowing
the possibility of not knowing goes like this my mother my mother told
goes like this my mother my mother told
goes like this my mother my mother told me I have a chameleon soul no fixed
me I have a chameleon soul no fixed
me I have a chameleon soul no fixed personality just an inner indecisiveness
personality just an inner indecisiveness
personality just an inner indecisiveness that was as wide and is wavering as the
that was as wide and is wavering as the
that was as wide and is wavering as the ocean sorry for us and many people like
ocean sorry for us and many people like
ocean sorry for us and many people like us where we’re a path is set for us by
us where we’re a path is set for us by
us where we’re a path is set for us by our families and communities but we’re
our families and communities but we’re
our families and communities but we’re like mismatched puzzle pieces 11 of the
like mismatched puzzle pieces 11 of the
like mismatched puzzle pieces 11 of the same but different so there are times
same but different so there are times
same but different so there are times where I felt I was more Arab and there
where I felt I was more Arab and there
where I felt I was more Arab and there were times where I thought I was more
were times where I thought I was more
were times where I thought I was more filipino and one thing that my
filipino and one thing that my
filipino and one thing that my environment did was they tried to force
environment did was they tried to force
environment did was they tried to force me to be loyal to either one of them and
me to be loyal to either one of them and
me to be loyal to either one of them and there was only one time where I felt
there was only one time where I felt
there was only one time where I felt that I did not one time well there are
that I did not one time well there are
that I did not one time well there are times where I only I felt like I didn’t
times where I only I felt like I didn’t
times where I only I felt like I didn’t have to choose which were like Christmas
have to choose which were like Christmas
have to choose which were like Christmas birthdays and so forth as long as it was
birthdays and so forth as long as it was
birthdays and so forth as long as it was with my immediate family that’s where I
with my immediate family that’s where I
with my immediate family that’s where I felt like I had no pressure to choose
now that I’m older I tell people that
now that I’m older I tell people that when I tell them that I’m Palestinian
when I tell them that I’m Palestinian
when I tell them that I’m Palestinian Filipino and they ask me like okay so
Filipino and they ask me like okay so
Filipino and they ask me like okay so Arab or Filipino I’m like I am both this
Arab or Filipino I’m like I am both this
Arab or Filipino I’m like I am both this is my identity this is who I am this is
is my identity this is who I am this is
is my identity this is who I am this is what makes me me and of course oh well
what makes me me and of course oh well
what makes me me and of course oh well that’s one interesting part about
that’s one interesting part about
that’s one interesting part about identity it makes you curious makes you
identity it makes you curious makes you
identity it makes you curious makes you want to explore gives you new
want to explore gives you new
want to explore gives you new perspective in life and so forth and of
perspective in life and so forth and of
perspective in life and so forth and of course being from two cultures there are
course being from two cultures there are
course being from two cultures there are days where I don’t feel like I belong to
days where I don’t feel like I belong to
days where I don’t feel like I belong to either one of them that I’m an outcast
either one of them that I’m an outcast
either one of them that I’m an outcast for from both my cultures another thing
for from both my cultures another thing
for from both my cultures another thing as well is that when i say i am half
as well is that when i say i am half
as well is that when i say i am half filipino people tend to stigmatize my
filipino people tend to stigmatize my
filipino people tend to stigmatize my filipino side yes i know they perceive
filipino side yes i know they perceive
filipino side yes i know they perceive filipinos as house maids and nannies and
filipinos as house maids and nannies and
filipinos as house maids and nannies and so forth a lot of filipinos that I know
so forth a lot of filipinos that I know
so forth a lot of filipinos that I know of I’m some people my family are very
of I’m some people my family are very
of I’m some people my family are very well educated and they they they prosper
well educated and they they they prosper
well educated and they they they prosper they’re just some that
they’re just some that
they’re just some that and couldn’t find a job in their field
and couldn’t find a job in their field
and couldn’t find a job in their field and they had to do something else we all
and they had to do something else we all
and they had to do something else we all need to work and it is mentally
need to work and it is mentally
need to work and it is mentally exhausting when you’re from two cultures
exhausting when you’re from two cultures
exhausting when you’re from two cultures so if we’re having a conversation and
so if we’re having a conversation and
so if we’re having a conversation and you ask me where I’m from I always take
you ask me where I’m from I always take
you ask me where I’m from I always take a mental step back and always be like I
a mental step back and always be like I
a mental step back and always be like I am half Palestinian i’m half-filipino
am half Palestinian i’m half-filipino
am half Palestinian i’m half-filipino but i was born in abu dhabi by group
but i was born in abu dhabi by group
but i was born in abu dhabi by group most of my life in fujairah i don’t
most of my life in fujairah i don’t
most of my life in fujairah i don’t really know much about my Palestinian
really know much about my Palestinian
really know much about my Palestinian side because my dad really talked about
side because my dad really talked about
side because my dad really talked about it I’ve only been to philippines about
it I’ve only been to philippines about
it I’ve only been to philippines about three times and I’d ever never really
three times and I’d ever never really
three times and I’d ever never really liked it as a young team and I’m now
liked it as a young team and I’m now
liked it as a young team and I’m now thinking about it I’m like I don’t
thinking about it I’m like I don’t
thinking about it I’m like I don’t really miss it so yeah I like that look
really miss it so yeah I like that look
really miss it so yeah I like that look that’s what goes through my head all the
that’s what goes through my head all the
that’s what goes through my head all the time I don’t know what to say but now
time I don’t know what to say but now
time I don’t know what to say but now I’m just like yeah I am Palestinian
I’m just like yeah I am Palestinian
I’m just like yeah I am Palestinian Philip you know period and I learned to
Philip you know period and I learned to
Philip you know period and I learned to control my thoughts I try not to think
control my thoughts I try not to think
control my thoughts I try not to think about it and not try to think about Oh
about it and not try to think about Oh
about it and not try to think about Oh which culture what do I feel like I
which culture what do I feel like I
which culture what do I feel like I should respond to and
oh dear okay sorry yeah well for when it
oh dear okay sorry yeah well for when it comes to identity there isn’t really a
comes to identity there isn’t really a
comes to identity there isn’t really a solution but is there really a solution
solution but is there really a solution
solution but is there really a solution we can never fully accept who we are we
we can never fully accept who we are we
we can never fully accept who we are we are constantly changing so is our
are constantly changing so is our
are constantly changing so is our identity it constantly changes I am not
identity it constantly changes I am not
identity it constantly changes I am not who I was five years ago I’m someone
who I was five years ago I’m someone
who I was five years ago I’m someone completely different right so it’s
completely different right so it’s
completely different right so it’s important to acknowledge that your
important to acknowledge that your
important to acknowledge that your identity is not set for you it’s not
identity is not set for you it’s not
identity is not set for you it’s not necessarily where you’re from either it
necessarily where you’re from either it
necessarily where you’re from either it can be if you wanted to but it doesn’t
can be if you wanted to but it doesn’t
can be if you wanted to but it doesn’t directly apply to everyone else that
directly apply to everyone else that
directly apply to everyone else that being said it doesn’t apply to everyone
being said it doesn’t apply to everyone
being said it doesn’t apply to everyone else like a formula would because
else like a formula would because
else like a formula would because otherwise it would make my job a lot
otherwise it would make my job a lot
otherwise it would make my job a lot easier we struggle with our identity and
easier we struggle with our identity and
easier we struggle with our identity and the concept of home because we feel like
the concept of home because we feel like
the concept of home because we feel like home is beyond what we can understand it
home is beyond what we can understand it
home is beyond what we can understand it to be here’s some food for thought have
to be here’s some food for thought have
to be here’s some food for thought have you ever thought to yourself why a
you ever thought to yourself why a
you ever thought to yourself why a certain place is considered home to you
certain place is considered home to you
certain place is considered home to you is it because it evokes feelings of
is it because it evokes feelings of
is it because it evokes feelings of happiness comfort and love a place can
happiness comfort and love a place can
happiness comfort and love a place can evoke those feelings based on your
evoke those feelings based on your
evoke those feelings based on your memories or your perceptions of that
memories or your perceptions of that
memories or your perceptions of that place or even the safeSpace you
place or even the safeSpace you
place or even the safeSpace you attribute to others memories and
attribute to others memories and
attribute to others memories and perceptions of a certain place so what
perceptions of a certain place so what
perceptions of a certain place so what do you consider to be home and why one
do you consider to be home and why one
do you consider to be home and why one of our blog posts are our first one
of our blog posts are our first one
of our blog posts are our first one actually in one of our blog posts I
actually in one of our blog posts I
actually in one of our blog posts I reflected upon my own experience and
reflected upon my own experience and
reflected upon my own experience and coming to terms with my understanding of
coming to terms with my understanding of
coming to terms with my understanding of home I wrote I’m a hybridized individual
home I wrote I’m a hybridized individual
home I wrote I’m a hybridized individual resulting from the marriage of
resulting from the marriage of
resulting from the marriage of globalization and the rise of the
globalization and the rise of the
globalization and the rise of the digital age beyond the complexity of our
digital age beyond the complexity of our
digital age beyond the complexity of our own understanding of home as a construct
own understanding of home as a construct
own understanding of home as a construct or as a place your identity is shape
or as a place your identity is shape
or as a place your identity is shape also by your aspirations and desires
also by your aspirations and desires
also by your aspirations and desires between and aspirations goals and
between and aspirations goals and
between and aspirations goals and desires which rests between and beyond
desires which rests between and beyond
desires which rests between and beyond the walls of classrooms following this
the walls of classrooms following this
the walls of classrooms following this we can now talk about that positive
we can now talk about that positive
we can now talk about that positive attributes of being a third culture kid
attributes of being a third culture kid
attributes of being a third culture kid so you learn several languages at it
so you learn several languages at it
so you learn several languages at it with whether it be at a native
with whether it be at a native
with whether it be at a native proficiency or you learn a few words
proficiency or you learn a few words
proficiency or you learn a few words here and there
here and there
here and there like habibi or a mas day you meet lots
like habibi or a mas day you meet lots
like habibi or a mas day you meet lots of new people as well from various
of new people as well from various
of new people as well from various cultures you become immersed in their
cultures you become immersed in their
cultures you become immersed in their cultures in a way that you become
cultures in a way that you become
cultures in a way that you become informed and and form an informed
informed and and form an informed
informed and and form an informed positive informed point of view and also
positive informed point of view and also
positive informed point of view and also this creates an appreciated II this
this creates an appreciated II this
this creates an appreciated II this holistic worldview creates an urge to
holistic worldview creates an urge to
holistic worldview creates an urge to know more to see more this is where
know more to see more this is where
know more to see more this is where travel comes into play a lot of third
travel comes into play a lot of third
travel comes into play a lot of third culture kids have this heightened sense
culture kids have this heightened sense
culture kids have this heightened sense of adventure and want to explore beyond
of adventure and want to explore beyond
of adventure and want to explore beyond the confines of their comfort zones
the confines of their comfort zones
the confines of their comfort zones another way to Jet Set across the world
another way to Jet Set across the world
another way to Jet Set across the world without having to commit to travel plans
without having to commit to travel plans
without having to commit to travel plans to travel plans amongst your busy
to travel plans amongst your busy
to travel plans amongst your busy schedule is through the internet alright
schedule is through the internet alright
schedule is through the internet alright so by a show with a show of hands how
so by a show with a show of hands how
so by a show with a show of hands how many of you follow travel blogs on
many of you follow travel blogs on
many of you follow travel blogs on Instagram Facebook Twitter all these
Instagram Facebook Twitter all these
Instagram Facebook Twitter all these various social media platforms and now
various social media platforms and now
various social media platforms and now also can you think of two places off the
also can you think of two places off the
also can you think of two places off the top of your head that you would like to
top of your head that you would like to
top of your head that you would like to travel to just instantly Canary Islands
travel to just instantly Canary Islands
travel to just instantly Canary Islands and Bonnie all right um the internet
and Bonnie all right um the internet
and Bonnie all right um the internet helps us dive into our imagination and
helps us dive into our imagination and
helps us dive into our imagination and creates a thirst for adventure the world
creates a thirst for adventure the world
creates a thirst for adventure the world has to offer Peru breeze Tanzania are
has to offer Peru breeze Tanzania are
has to offer Peru breeze Tanzania are all at our fingertips on until we can
all at our fingertips on until we can
all at our fingertips on until we can physically board a plane and makes make
physically board a plane and makes make
physically board a plane and makes make those dreams a reality not only in this
those dreams a reality not only in this
those dreams a reality not only in this holistic worldview is beneficial on a
holistic worldview is beneficial on a
holistic worldview is beneficial on a personal and social level is extremely
personal and social level is extremely
personal and social level is extremely helpful in academia and thereafter
helpful in academia and thereafter
helpful in academia and thereafter author Robin Pascal in her book titled
author Robin Pascal in her book titled
author Robin Pascal in her book titled raising global.nomads explaining that
raising global.nomads explaining that
raising global.nomads explaining that these kinds of people develop a good
these kinds of people develop a good
these kinds of people develop a good understanding of the functioning world
understanding of the functioning world
understanding of the functioning world especially in regards to economics
especially in regards to economics
especially in regards to economics politics technology the environment
politics technology the environment
politics technology the environment culture and general societal issues in
culture and general societal issues in
culture and general societal issues in your academic career you will find that
your academic career you will find that
your academic career you will find that will broaden your scope of knowledge you
will broaden your scope of knowledge you
will broaden your scope of knowledge you will be able to intellectually
will be able to intellectually
will be able to intellectually understand and build upon pre-existing
understand and build upon pre-existing
understand and build upon pre-existing ideas but just a heads up though
ideas but just a heads up though
ideas but just a heads up though everything yes everything
everything yes everything
everything yes everything is interrelated afterwards many people
is interrelated afterwards many people
is interrelated afterwards many people progress into the workforce with drive
progress into the workforce with drive
progress into the workforce with drive and motivation you can integrate
and motivation you can integrate
and motivation you can integrate smoothly and interact with all kinds of
smoothly and interact with all kinds of
smoothly and interact with all kinds of people who you will encounter throughout
people who you will encounter throughout
people who you will encounter throughout your journey so we shouldn’t force
your journey so we shouldn’t force
your journey so we shouldn’t force ourselves to look for our identity do
ourselves to look for our identity do
ourselves to look for our identity do things you enjoy go out explore or even
things you enjoy go out explore or even
things you enjoy go out explore or even just explore with google and you learn
just explore with google and you learn
just explore with google and you learn that is how you mold your current
that is how you mold your current
that is how you mold your current identity and your future identity we
identity and your future identity we
identity and your future identity we can’t wait to see what you have to offer
can’t wait to see what you have to offer
can’t wait to see what you have to offer the world thank you
the world thank you
the world thank you [Applause]
”
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