Stage 1: Identity
Stage 1: Identity
Our identities shift when we go abroad. When we leave the familiar surroundings of home, we start to see ourselves from a new light and angle of the sun. What will going abroad show us about ourselves that we couldn't see and help us take control of our own identities?
We will discuss:
How to write your own story.
How travel helps us understand our identities better.
How some of us can be chameleons while traveling.
Why some of us get mistaken as locals while traveling.
How to own your identity.
How to adjust when you identity changes.
How to grow into your identity.
How to travel as you get older.
How to embrace your identity.
How to work through an identity crisis.
How to work through an identity shift.
Guest Travelers
Michele Carlo an NYC storyteller and podcast host of Fish Out of Agua and writer of the book titled the same. Growing up as a Puerto Rican redhead in an Italian/Irish neighborhood in New York, Michele has always felt out of place. Mistaken for the wrong identity or not being Puerto Rican “enough”, this identity question was one that followed her wherever she went. It wasn’t until she left the States that she was able to settle the question of who she truly is.
Tayo Rockson is the host of the podcast As Told by Nomads and writer of the book Use Your Difference to Make a Difference. Tayo grew up as a third culture kid. He was born in Nigeria but raised all over the world, around nationalities that definitely didn’t look like him, from Sweden to Vietnam. Wherever he went, people made assumptions about who he is. And when he returned to Nigeria, his home, people didn’t see him as one of them. Caught between the push and pull of other people’s expectations, Tayo decided to finally break free and define himself on his own terms. He is now using his difference to make a difference.
Vanessa Valerio is the host of the podcast Singleing and a Denver based storyteller. Vanessa never questioned who she was or her life path. She was perfectly happy living out her life in the Dominican Republic with her family and perfect boyfriend ( and hopefully husband). Until they broke up. This calamity galvanized her to get out of the tiny bubble she was raised in and put some distance between her and her pain. Which is how she found herself in Barcelona. Now without the constraints and conformations of home, Vanessa was able to define herself on her own terms and see who she truly is.
Alexandra Tracy Chavarriaga is the creator behind the popular Instagram page Travel Latina. Raised in both Colombia and America, Alexandra has always found herself in the middle of these two identities. But she likes it there. She finds herself to be a chameleon able to disguise herself as a local wherever she goes. We discuss what it's like to step into different worlds with the shift of her identity.
Eric Trues is the host of the podcast E-travels with E-Trules. His relationship with travel has grown as he has gotten older. Back in the 70s, he felt like he still had an umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. He needed a change, some space, some experience. So he hopped in his car and drove across America. He wasn’t going to be anonymous but to find who he truly was. And with that time and space he eventually found himself but hasn’t stopped traveling. Together, we reflect on how it doesn’t matter how old you get, travel always keeps you young at heart.
Resources
Here are some fun articles on epigenetics!
Upcoming Events
Come join Strangers Abroad for a live taping! On April 25th at Caveat, Join the host Adrien and a phenomenal lineup of NYC storytellers and comics who will share stories from around the world. Maybe we will fall in love, be attacked by animals or ride on the back of a motorbike with a stranger. Whatever we get into, you will leave inspired to go have your own adventures. Have Expedia pulled up on your phone, you are going to want to snag some flights when this show is over. Get $5 off when you purchase online and use the code STRANGERS. Join us on April 25th at Caveat! Get tickets here!
Strangers Abroad is a travel podcast hosted by solo female traveler and storyteller, Adrien Behn.