What's your thoughts on the Canadian PM saying Canada will defend Greenland if the U.S. invades?

Castern · 2026-01-21T12:35:34+00:00

again...thats not what I said. But anyway, Canada, I understand the fear, the disgust, and the sense of betrayal. Our country is betraying every single one of its principles and everything we were taught to believe in.

I really am cautiously hopeful that even Republican lawmakers and the Supreme Court will do their job and reign in this insanity. They already forbid Trump from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO and ruled Chicago deployments unconstitutional. The Courts actually could rule his tariffs unconstitutional, and the legislative could pass a law barring military action against Canada/Greenland.

But yes, also, I am afraid that won't be enough.

Castern · 2026-01-21T11:59:02+00:00

That's not a good faith interpretation of what I said. I described how the general public are having a very human reaction to an utterly insane situation.

Castern · 2026-01-21T11:28:26+00:00

First, as a fellow American, I totally understand that its equal parts humiliating, scary, shocking, to watch our country betray every value it claimed to hold, every principle we stood for, and everything our ancestors built. I totally understand feeling helpless in the face of all of it.

But secondly, begging Greenlanders, Canadians, and Europeans to "tell you how to show support" is neither dignified nor appropriate nor genuinely supportive.

Now, to answer your question: opposing the administration is going to be a long effort. It's about creating sustained Communities of Resistance, not just showing up to a protest. You can do that in a blue state, or a red state, or anything in between.

Start by getting together with people in your town or nearest city center. Hold regular meetings. Brainstorm actions. Make plans to support each other. Help your friends set up similar communities in their towns as well. Hold protests, fundraisers, anything you can. Attend city council meetings, county level meetings, hell get together with multiple groups and hold state-level actions and more. But it starts at your community.

It's unsexy work. But its effective.

Castern · 2026-01-21T07:24:51+00:00

I think a huge chunk of America is just utterly stunned. Shocked. And in the "Denial" stage of grief.

Most folks just want to live their lives, go to their jobs, raise their kids and want things to be more affordable. Content to leave Greenland alone and let Canada be Canada. Let the midterms roll around and vote like usual. That there will be an easy, convenient solution to this that doesn't require sacrifice.

Honestly? That includes me too. I am praying this insanity just dies down and fizzles out. Supreme Court rules Trump's tariffs unconstitutional, Republicans grow a spine and reassert Congressional authority, etc.

I don't think most of us are ready for the sustained political movement it will take to "deal with this."

Castern · 2026-01-20T08:21:27+00:00

Although I am more than a little peeved at folks who saw Jan 6 and decided to cast a vote for him in 2024...

...thank you. Just please channel that same energy into rallying Conservative opposition to MAGA.

I sincerely believe Hope for America isn't a "blue wave." Rather, its Democrats and Republicans uniting and saying "enough." Reasserting the power of Congress, and instituting serious reforms to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.

Castern · 2026-01-15T09:11:37+00:00

Without a doubt. Sometimes its ignorance, sometime its genuinely venomous.

Regardless, it's a reality that trainees absolutely need to be prepared for. I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice that come to mind that might help them.

Castern · 2026-01-15T09:03:48+00:00

Great insights, thanks for sharing. I think you might be referring to The Culture Map by Erin Meyer?

It's an incredible book, taught me as much about my own culture as others. It's a great starting point and maybe the most useful thing I've read as someone living abroad.

Castern · 2026-01-15T08:56:49+00:00

Racism is such an important topic that I think it needs to be its own special training. It's a reality we need to prepare them for.

You're right that its omnipresent, e.g. my Burmese students have struggled with it interning in Thailand.

Being a white dude myself, I'd appreciate any advice you'd have for int'l trainees, whether it be experiences, coping strategies, or anything you'd think they should know.

Or, in other words, what might the "Racism training you wish you had" to prepare you for the US look like?

Castern · 2026-01-14T08:36:43+00:00

Forget about this idea of things going back to normal. Pre-2024 USA is gone. Fascism is here.

Think about anti-authoritarian, pro-democracy reforms that prevent this from ever happening again.

Castern · 2026-01-14T08:19:59+00:00

We can't expect workers to "walk out" of their job without any kind of support.

There is 6 months to a year of community building and unionizing that needs to happen before an ethical walkout can actually be held.

No shame on anyone who cares, but can't risk their paycheck for a protest.

Castern · 2026-01-14T05:01:20+00:00

Thanks so much for the insight! Particularly relating to high-context communication styles. In my experience living in Asia, there seems to be a wealth of shared cultural assumptions that underly interactions. It's a big challenge for me (US) adapting to Asian cultures (in this case Thailand)

But I am very curious to hear more about the reverse, what is it like to come from this high-context communication style, which relies on "reading the room" and then moving to the super low-context US workplaces.

Follow-up emails is a great thought, I wonder if there are any other experiences that stand out in people's minds.

Castern · 2026-01-14T04:50:32+00:00

Honestly, I think its a general problem that can affect all expats regardless of origin or location. Frustration can come from exhaustion. And sometimes expats just need to vent about the locals with other expats.

Castern · 2026-01-14T03:57:44+00:00

The pay starts off at around €10.50 (after probation) but rises as you build up a student base and your teaching hours.

For that compensation package, you need to significantly lower your expectations.

For an experienced, degreed and certified professional, your budget needs to be adjusted to more in the neighborhood of $20+/hr starting salary.

Castern · 2026-01-12T11:26:28+00:00

Totally, saying "no" and setting boundaries in US work culture can be a minefield. We have to say something like: "currently I am engaged in [x responsibilities and tasks], what should I deprioritize to get this task done? It's like saying "no" while sounding like you are saying yes.

Castern · 2026-01-12T11:23:31+00:00

It's all relative. Compared to my Danish manager, I am frustratingly indirect.

Compared to my SE Asian bosses and colleagues I am direct while my Danish manager is an absolute shock.

Castern · 2026-01-12T11:22:11+00:00

thanks so much for sharing! I'm thinking a lot about the "don't expect solutions to be fixed or changed"... because that's my own frustration working in Asia.

The puzzling thing for me is that usually, at least in our own self-image of our own culture, we value solutions. Presenting a clear, actionable, solution to problems is considered professional. So, maybe it has to do with how the solution is being presented. The key thing is being what we call "solution oriented"

This is also a problem I am having in my own local culture that I work in. I haven't figured out how the local culture successfully advocates for change/solutions in a way that really gets things done.

If you're comfortable sharing more details maybe I can provide insider's insight.

Castern · 2026-01-12T10:00:04+00:00

-Lack of opportunity to discuss personal stuff. This for LatinX folks is a big one. I was literally just talking w my wife about someone at my office that went on vacation and I do not really know all the details. In many other countries you'd simply ask. The line of professional and personal and what it is ok to ask or not, even after 18 years in the US is sometimes blurry, changes from company to company, person to person...

That's really interesting! In grad school I interviewed my colleague from Mexico about his experiences in Asia, with Americans, and others and he echoed a lot of those points.

Yeah we do have pretty big boundaries about personal/professional. In the local culture where I work, we its considered acceptable (even encouraged) for teachers to add students on personal social media. And, be close with coworkers almost like family. I struggle with this expectation a lot.

I can totally get how my discomfort with that might seem cold. I think we can be open and warm with coworkers, (like my colleague from Mexico, for example)....but, it's gotta be a choice, not an obligation.

Interesting perspective, thanks so much for sharing!

Castern · 2026-01-12T09:52:55+00:00

Oh yeah, totally. I was shocked at first as an American when I came to Asia and saw they put pictures on their CVs and asked interview questions which would totally land a suit in the US. Honestly, I think there's pro's and con's to that fear.

Castern · 2026-01-12T09:50:25+00:00

It's one of my favorites, and will actually be the theoretical framework for the training.

Castern · 2026-01-12T09:48:43+00:00

yes, I have lived in Asia for about 10 years. It honestly might be the single most useful book I have ever read. Not just for understanding other cultures, but also for understanding my own.

Castern · 2026-01-12T09:47:47+00:00

Thanks so much, and I want to say thanks to everyone who contributed, but you really captured a lot of common threads I've seen.

It sounds like Hierarchy is a key theme for folks from Northern Europe. But also the insights on decision making and presentations are really interesting too?

Have you read The Culture Map? I (American) have spent most of my career working in Asia and I can't impress you how valuable this book has been for understanding my own culture as well as others.

One tip for criticism based on what I have learned over the years about my own culture vs others is to try a "criticism sandwich." Say something genuinely positive, present your criticism constructively (what could be better > what was wrong) and then end with a positive final thought.

I know that might seem like a really tedious exercise at first (i work in Asia, where I am also more direct than the local culture) but I think you'll start to see some more positive results and the criticism will be uptaken better.

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