Sometimes I am astounded at my kids. This week has been… I struggle to find a sufficient adjective to describe the strange combination of blessings and struggles. One boy brought me a little charm of the American Flag. A girl brought me a necklace that she made herself out of little gold colored glass beads [...]
So now that you know all about what culture shock is (see part 1!), it's time to learn how we responded to it and what are ways to cope and come through with your perspective altered but intact. If you have questions or comments please send them to us at hannah@servantgroup.org.
Culture shock is a bit of misnomer, but we're jumping in and using it to help everyone understand what they or their friends go through when living in a foreign culture for an extended period of time. Obviously not everyone has exactly the same reactions, but these are things we've experienced and are reported as [...]
After making Kubba months ago (and struggling with it!), we decided to try making Baklava, one of the most common desserts in Iraq and Greece. It was certainly more successful. Although it is a long and time consuming process with lots of fillo dough and butter! Here's the recipe we used: https://natashaskitchen.com/baklava-recipe/
One of the most exhausting things about living in Iraq is the travel back and forth to the U.S. For a lot of our team members it is almost exactly half way around the world! This means lots of time on airplanes, in airports, and some time in hotels too! Our major take away today? [...]
Between Iraq and a Hard Place: Episode 21 Hannah and Colleen rant a bit about the very annoying Americans they have met or seen in Iraq or in airports flying to and from Iraq. These are the cons of Americans abroad and then some of the good things we bring along with us too! Join [...]
Some exciting news, - we’re getting ready to expand and renovate our downstairs office into a refugee ministry center! For a long time, we’ve wanted to have a place where our volunteers and refugees can meet together for programs and activities like sewing, exercise, job training and more. A little more info about [...]
Hannah and Colleen traipse through the world of Iraqi Education! What are public schools? What are private schools? How are things run differently? All these questions and MORE on this episode of Between Iraq and a Hard Place! Learn more over on our Iraq page! Ask questions or send comments to Hannah@servantgroup.org.
We Don't Actually Hate Animals... Probably Hannah and Colleen talk about their many encounters with animals in Northern Iraq, from pets to wild animals, zoos to flocks in the mountains. Hannah really does hate birds as pets, but neither mind the cats and dogs owned by their friends. Really! It's just that the animal situation [...]
One of our favorite topics about Iraq is all the ELECTRICITY! Also, the lack of it. It's one of those things that we in the U.S. definitely take for granted and see as our right. Not so in Iraq! Power outages are common and wiring is... creative. =) (Also, there is conversation about the electric [...]
