We continue our conversation with the Parfitt Pascoe Writing Residents from 2014, to find out how that experience has impacted them over the past year. (Read part 1 of this article here)
Terry Ann Wilson
Notes on a Boarding Pass
- Tell us a little about your own expat/ TCK story and what led you to the Parfitt Pascoe Writing Residency?
I’ve been an expat for over twenty years, currently living in our eighth country, we’ve raised three children globally. It felt like a natural progression to have been part of FIGT. To be surrounded by people not only living this life, but also by those invested in the well being of expats, was extremely comforting yet also inspiring. I first met Jo Parfitt while attending her Memoir Writing Retreat in Tuscany. That experience gave me the confidence to finally move forward as a writer. I was encouraged to apply for the Residency which I was unable to do, yet was thankful when Jo offered a spot to me on the writing team nonetheless. The eight writers quickly became an inspired team under the guidance of Jo.
- How was your experience at FIGT14? What were your favorite takeaways and outcomes from the Parfitt Pascoe Writing Residency and FIGT14?
It was gratifying writing with the team of writers not only in terms of the interesting topics covered, but also being part of a like minded, motivated group. The conference itself was a revelation to me; the fact that so many professionals, educators and creative people are concerned with the well being of those of us that live globally. After completing the articles for the Yearbook, it was with renewed confidence that I initiated my blog, notes on a boarding pass. I realized that I had a voice and that my experiences were relevant in the global world that FIGT so positively supports. I believe all of us involved in the Parfitt Pascoe Residency and Writing Team appreciate the skills, experience and inclusiveness of being part of a new writing family.
- What have you been up to since FIGT14? What is the best thing that happened to you as a writer since FIGT as a result of your attendance?
I’ve focused on my blog and as we have relocated once again. I continue to embrace new experiences and grow as a writer. As I currently live in Kazakhstan, I endeavor to inspire and have offered a writing workshop within this small community. We’ve been shown, from people like Jo and those involved with FIGT, how vital it is to be supportive in expat communities. I’m also a cross cultural trainer which I hope to write more about in the future as well.
Alice Wu
Culturalingua
- Tell us a little about your own expat/ TCK story and what led you to the Parfitt Pascoe Writing Residency?
My mother was a global nomad who traveled with her Chinese diplomat parents, and my grandmother also traveled a lot as a child with her diplomat uncles. I grew up hearing stories about their experiences and also had the chance to live in some other countries as a child and young person (England, Finland, Sweden). I made two videos about college age global nomads at Cornell in 1994 and 2001, and am currently working on a third video (which I’ll present clips of at the upcoming FIGT15 conference). I was also the advisor for students who helped found the global nomads club at Cornell and frequently do programs about TCKs and global nomads there.
I was excited to get the FIGT e-mail about the ParfittPascoe Writing Residency scholarship, which sounded like a great opportunity! I was interested in applying for it because I have been a long time fan and avid supporter of FIGT starting from the early days of the conference, and I welcomed the chance to help spread the word about the organization and the amazing information that is generated there. I have gained a lot from attending FIGT - both personally and professionally - and was interested in having a chance to help others similarly benefit from learning about it. I also have several ideas for articles and welcomed having this valuable opportunity to learn more about writing and getting published.
- How was your experience at FIGT14? What were your favorite takeways and outcomes from the Parfitt Pascoe Writing Residency and FIGT14?
I really enjoyed FIGT14 last year - the chance to go to the innovative sessions and plenaries, meet new friends at the conference, and see friends from previous years. I was also very glad to meet with Jo and get to know the other writing team members. After the conference, I continued to communicate with Jo, Shelley and the writing team, and to get a lot of support and encouragement from them. They offered help and cheered me on when I was trying to start my blog and they helped publicize my blogposts – by liking them and putting them on Twitter, Facebook and the Expat bookshop page. I enjoyed reading their blogposts, and they helped me learn how to set up a blog, as well as how to put FB links, Twitter buttons, hyperlinks, tags and all kinds of other things on a blog. I also enjoyed communicating with the FIGT speakers whom I wrote about for the yearbook, and I had very helpful editing suggestions from Jo and Shelley on my yearbook articles.
- What have you been up to since FIGT14? What is the best thing that happened to you as a writer since FIGT as a result of your attendance?
Thanks to Jo and Shelley, I have appreciated the chance to read some great books and write some book reviews for Global Living Magazine (GLM) over the last year. I also enjoyed writing blog posts after the FIGT conference, including some about the conference. I have done some writing about my own travel stories and I am starting to write about the global nomad students who participated in five videotaped discussions this year, as part of my new global nomads video. They shared their amazing insights and experiences about their global backgrounds.
