About

WHY DRINK THE CULTURE KOOLAID?

Because it’s good for you.

And it tastes yummy too.

Culture Every Day is a blog about culture — what it is, why it’s important and how it shapes our experiences.

It’s about the obvious manifestations of culture — language, food, dress, holidays, myths, traditions.

And the intangible ones — the diverse values and beliefs that are the foundation for human behavior and that make us who we are.

You. Me. And the other 7 million people sharing our world.

Simply put, Culture Every Day strives to help people make connections and find common ground so we can all get along better.

So, if you’re looking to learn more about culture, or if you want to share your own cultural experiences, then this is the place for you.

WHAT’S IN THIS STUFF, ANYWAY?

Culture Every Day is your source for cultural information and inspiration.

Wanna’ bring the world to your kids without breaking the bank? In my “Culture Kick” posts you’ll find fun, easy and low-cost projects to do at home or at school.

Stumped about something that happened at work with a colleague from another country? Check out “Culture 101” for insights and tips about cross-cultural communication.

Think a cross-cultural relationship is in the cards for you? Read the “Bagels & Baklava” feature where I’ll over-share some anecdotes from my own life as a wife to a Turkish man and mom to two boys.

Curious about what life’s like for multi-cultural families around the world? Read the monthly cross-cultural interview with real parents.

WHO’S POURING?

Culture Every Day is written and curated by Justine Ickes, a writer, anthropologist, traveler, instructional designer and mom with more than thirty years of experience in the field of international education and training.

Think of me as your culture genie — only without the  harem pants.

I’m a native Long Islander who spent eight years living in Madrid. I still miss the jamón serrano.

I’ve been a teacher of English as a Foreign Language, the Education Specialist for the U.S. Peace Corps, the Director of Training for Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), and a freelance curriculum designer for the French Culinary Institute (FCI), the United Nations Population Fund, CHF International and several other acronym-loving clients.

Along the way I’ve visited or worked in over 25 countries around the world.

Yes, I have a lot of frequent flyer miles.

When I’m not designing a curriculum or on the road facilitating a conference, I spend my days writing about travel, culture, education and parenting for publications like Language Magazine,Litchfield Magazine, New Jersey Monthly, Scholastic’s Parent & Child and Washington Parent. I also blog at TravelingMom. You can read about my freelance writing here.

CAN I GET RE-FILLS?

Sure thing. Check back here once a week for new posts. Or subscribe to get weekly updates delivered to your inbox.

Contact me at justine (at) cultureeveryday (dot) com. Or, better yet, join the discussion!

SPIN THE BOTTLE!

Remember that game? If I played it now, here are some fun facts I’d share:

1. I can speak four languages to varying degrees of fluency: English, Spanish and Turkish, Portuguese. My tip for learning a second language? Get a boyfriend or girlfriend who speaks it. Hey, it worked for me – just ask my husband.
2. I’ve hiked to Annapurna South in Nepal. The view was definitely worth it, but I could’ve done without that one leech in my boot.
3. I published my first essay when I was nine. It was about biking to my local beach and feeling the wind in my hair. Ahh…
4. Spain has some of the best routes for biking and I’ve got the calf muscles to prove it.
5. Turkey has some of the tastiest food in the world. And I’ve got the tummy rolls to prove it.
6. I was once almost crushed by a palm tree on Unawatuna Beach in Sri Lanka. We were in the middle of a training session when the poor tree toppled over. And here I thought those Peace corps volunteers were simply mesmerized by my grasp of English grammar.
7. I studied Russian at Georgetown University because I wanted to be an interpreter at the United Nations. After giving me a grade of “C”, my professor suggested I drink vodka before class to loosen me up. I guess he never heard of tip # 1 (see above).