Two cultures, one family

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Jaed Coffin grew up partly in Vermont with a white father and Thai
mother but as an adult spent a year in Thailand, immersed in the culture
of his mother’s homeland. His new memoir, "A Chant to Soothe Wild
Elephants," explores Coffin’s understanding of his own multi-ethnic
identity. We talk with Coffin and Saint Michael’s College English
professor Lorrie Smith about how people view their own identity in
context of the world around them.(Listen)


Also in the program, new rules for crossing the Canadian border go into
effect on Thursday. We talk with reporter Ross Sneyd, on location at the
border crossing in Highgate.(Listen)

And "Dr. Why" – Bert Yankielun – teaches us
the secrets of igloos. An engineer with the Cold Regions Research
Laboratory in the Upper Valley, Yankielun leads workshops on choosing
the right kind of snow and ice for your igloo, and designing a sound
structure.(Listen)

 

Susan, listener from New Hampshire:

Another aspect of cross cultural identity involves people raised in one
culture, who have moved to another and who are never really a part of
either. I lived for my first 18 years in Thailand with occasional
visits to the U.S. and I have never quite felt at home in New
Hampshire, where I have spent most of my adult life. This continues as
something I think about, even though I am 57 years old. I cook Thai food for our family and friends, and this is a valuable way to maintain my connection with my childhood culture.
A very good book on the subject of growing up in two cultures is
"The Third Culture Kid Experience: Growing Up Among Worlds," by David
C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken.

 

Lenora, listener from South Burlington:

A bilingual Spanish playgroup is available for ages 0-5 years old.  It is a for fluent Spanish
speakers.  It’s held Wednesday from 9:00-3:00 and Friday from 3:30-5:00
at the Orchard Elementary School in the Family Center in South
Burlington on Baldwin Avenue.  There’s no cost associated with this play
group. 

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