Hi, I’m Tanya Crossman
I sincerely believe that intercultural life, while not always easy, is worth the effort. However, accepting and integrating all our experiences takes work. Without that work we can be left hurt, confused, and even distressed. We need tools to do this work, and that is why I am passionate about what I do. I give cross-cultural individuals, families, and organisations the tools they need to deal with the difficult aspects of intercultural life well, leaving them to enjoy its benefits.
I wrote Misunderstood because I saw so much guilt and anxiety among parents who worried about how the choices they had made would affect their children long-term. I know from experience that offering parents insights into how their children experience the world can radically change the parent-child relationship. I live for helping parents experience these lightbulb moments, where they see their family, and even their conflicts, in a new light - and become empowered to make positive changes.
I also wrote Misunderstood for every TCK who shared their stories with me: the 270 I interviewed for the book, the hundreds I had worked with in the years beforehand, and each one around the world with stories unheard. I want them to know they are not alone, not the only one to feel the way they do - that their life makes sense in context. In fact, I have continued to do research and am preparing to write a second book, for anyone who wants to unpack the legacy of a cross-cultural childhood and forge a way forward in which they are comfortable in their own skin. I live for helping cross-cultured individuals experience lightbulb moments, where they see their life, and even their struggles, in a new light - and become empowered to make positive changes.
My client experience includes:
Global: Families in Global Transition (FIGT), Happy Abroad Summit, International MTSS Summit (IMS), International Schools Consortium (ISC), International School Counselor Association (ISCA), International TCK Conference (ITCKC), TCK Training, UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), UNWFP (United Nations World Food Programme).
Africa: Dakar Academy, Dar es Salaam International Academy, Haven of Peace Academy (Dar es Salaam), Heart for Africa (Eswatini), International School of Tanganyika, Khartoum International Community School, UNICEF Dakar.
Americas: Bridges International, NorthStar Academy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Asia: Australian International School Singapore, Beijing International Society, ChengDu International School, Chinese Language Conference, Cornerstone Counselling Centre (Chiang Mai), Dwight School Seoul (DSS), EPIC Youth Conference (Cambodia), Grace International School (Chiang Mai), Hope International School (Beijing), Hope International School (Phnom Penh), International School of Beijing, Keystone Academy (Beijing), Morrison Academy (Taiwan), Pioneers TCK Program (Thailand), Roundabout Beijing, Wellington College China (Shanghai).
Australia: Global Interaction, Missions Interlink Australia, NSW MK Network, South Sudanese Australian Youth United, Young Adult TCK Network Adelaide.
Europe: World Team France.
When I am not working in the intercultural space, I love cooking, painting, singing, reading Wheel of Time or anything by Brandon Sanderson, and being Aunty Tanya to my eight nieces and nephews. I firmly believe there is little better in the world than curling up on a comfy couch with a tub of chocolate ice cream that’s just starting to melt. Except perhaps quietly sharing a beautiful sunset with my favourite photographer (my husband).
