A study on how a sojourner's identity is affected when not surrounded by family or customary cultural traditions : submitted in part fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts, in Psychology, Massey University, New Zealand

Abstract

Every voyage can be said to involve a re-siting of boundaries. The traveling self is here both the self that moves physically from one place to another, following "public routes and beaten tracks" within a mapped movement, and the self that embarks on an undetermined journeying practice, having constantly to negotiate between home and abroad, native culture and adopted culture, or more creatively speaking, between a here, a there, and an elsewhere. Trinh Ti Minh-ha, Travelers' Tales, 1994, p.9. I first came to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, nearly 14 years ago as an employee of Emirates Airlines. At first, I believed I would complete my three-year contract and return home to New Zealand. Instead, I met my partner, Bruce. I chose to remain in Dubai as we started a life journey together. During this time, I began my University studies, at first part-time and then, leaving my employment, full-time. Along the way, there was a temporary relocation, namely to Singapore for a year, which involved traveling between Dubai (our home), Singapore (Bruce's work apartment) and New Zealand (for university Post Graduate courses). The excitement of this year's constant sojourning and subsequent learning opportunities was short-lived when I was personally devastated by the sudden and severe illness of my mother and her subsequent death, which occurred not long after the loss of my father. After a break from my studies for six months, I now embark upon this project of learning and discovery. Living in the Middle East has, I believe, significantly changed me personally and developmentally, yet, paradoxically, I remain the same. This contradiction can best be explained by the plurality of 'roles' I occupy as a New Zealander living as an expatriate in Dubai. Arguably, any changes are due to the abundance of new and varied multicultural influences upon my identity, predominantly contextually, culturally and interrelationally cued, which were principally welcomed yet at times seemed 'imposed'. My 'sameness' results from the flexibility and stability of my identity or self, and continued interaction with friends and family at 'home' in New Zealand and fellow expatriates residing in Dubai. It is thus inevitable that my words and thoughts, and indeed even my choice of research topic and avenue, are somewhat affected by my own developing identity. [FROM FOREWORD]