This is the first blog post from Third Culture Solutions Limited. It seems that in today’s world, writing blogs is the new way to share thoughts, views and to also raise my profile.
So, I thought I’d begin with an introduction of who Third Culture Solutions is, and also the reasons for starting this company. I spent a rainy Sunday afternoon visiting the Auckland Musuem’s exhibition of “Being Chinese in New Zealand”. (It is well worth a visit to hear about some of the stories of the different Chinese that have come to New Zealand). The stories of the early Chinese settlers, to the more recent migrants reminded me of my story. Similar in some ways, but also so different in other ways. I am a Third Culture Person, who lives between two worlds.
The one that I spent the first twelve years of my life, and the other that I have lived in since. Coming to Aotearoa, New Zealand with my family when I was twelve has meant I have few memories of my time growing up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photos and conversations trigger some, but it is as if it’s hidden. We came for a better life, and in particular and my brother and I to gain an education. After seven weeks in Wellington, we moved to Auckland where we spent the rest of our school years going to Macleans College, Bucklands Beach. What a world class education I would get… I went on to study Biochemistry and Physiology at Massey University in Palmerston North before my Masters in Nutritional Science up at Albany. More recently, I’ve completed my MBA through Southern Cross University via MIT in South Auckland.
The journey to developing this growing interest in intercultural competency or cultural intelligence is a personal one. It started with my search for my identity, who I am and where I belong. Over the course of the past five years, I have seen the changing demographics of Auckland, and New Zealand and saw the opportunity to contribute and make a difference. Within the teams that I managed and worked under, I learned so much about how diversity either improved individuals or teams ability to work well, and thrive.
As Auckland becomes a SuperDiverse city, the opportunities to have conversations that matter, develop common values together and see the “other’s” perspective are everywhere. Cultural intelligence is a tool and an opportunity to grow, shape and develop inclusive communities, businesses and organisations. So, as I start on this journey, not only to continue to grow and develop, I want to also inspire, stir, encourage and challenge others to peel back the layers of behaviour and values and ask questions of “Why do I do what I do?” with an innocence and curiosity to discover what lies beneath. What may be found is something richer and deeper.
So, as I start on this journey, not only to continue to grow and develop, I want to also inspire, stir, encourage and challenge others to peel back the layers of behaviour and values and ask questions of “Why do I do what I do?” with an innocence and curiosity. What may be lurking beneath to be found is something richer and deeper that we can imagine.
