Patricia Selbert shares + Giveaway
What she thought would be the hardest obstacle to cross living in another country and hose she would tackle the barriers The most difficult obstacle for me – and also the last one – was expressing humor in a new language. I remember saying something I thought was hilarious to initiate a conversation with a group of people, only to completely alienate myself. Humor is culture specific and often what one culture finds funny another may not. There is a certain amount of underlying tension you have to cope with as you learn to function in an unfamiliar culture. That tension amplifies in the absence of humor and laughter, unless you are aware that humor is a skill that will have to be relearned. I used to think that laughter was a pretty safe emotion and a sure way to connect with strangers but beware when traveling abroad – your joke might have a whole different meaning in a foreign land. Synopsis Thirteen-year-old Serena is torn from everything that’s familiar on her island home. “Everyth...