Liminality (from the Latin word līmen, meaning “a threshold”).. The liminal state is characterized by ambiguity, openness, and indeterminacy. One’s sense of identity dissolves to some extent, bringing about disorientation. Liminality is a period of transition, during which your normal limits to thought, self-understanding, and behavior are relaxed, opening the way to something new.. [Wikipedia]
I don’t know why but this word has been my favorite since I was introduced to it during a religion course on Hindu deities at Coe. This zone is possibly one of the most feared in life, and those who navigate the murky waters, are successful in life.
originally uploaded by indoloony..
I’ve been in this zone since May, and the fog is clearing ever so slightly. I knew how it was going to feel, starting up again in a new place, where my slate is wiped clean, for a fresh beginning. I get to learn from my mistakes, and make sure I don’t make them here. A lot of these mistakes pertain to my social life, because learning how to deal with the multitude of cultures was painful at times. I have been very careful about how I approach peers, and not dive into anything rushed.
originally uploaded by raspberrytart..
You have no idea how worried I was about screwing up with first impressions because I come on hard sometimes. I’m very opinionated, and if I am not careful, I blurt out things I don’t mean to say out loud. That’s why I’ve been keeping my criticisms to a minimum with my new friends. I need to forge solid friendships before being fully honest, and talk about my pet peeves.
originally uploaded by CarminaGitana..
I know that there are others in this zone, but they seem to coagulate far too homogeneously for my taste. This is not restricted to any one regions, but is widespread habit from non-English native speaking students. I find that rather unfortunate because they could have studied in their own country if they didn’t want to experience culture here, which makes it different. Some people are paranoid about losing their cultural identity, which is a rather cowardly notion. Shying away from something new, and potentially more exciting, is a sad way to live life. However, that might be too harsh of a judgement if I didn’t know how their next 2 to 5 years were going to play out socially. What I wish for the the kind of interaction from the image above, and it is pretty evident that this movement is catching on. I must know, since my first love was an American.
originally uploaded by Miss Cleopatra.
It is also a vicious circle, when it comes to interactions between different cultures. Each one regards the other as a foreign entity instead of seeing that we are all the same people with different tastes, and backgrounds which includes culture. We all want the same things in life.
originally uploaded by indoloony..
Anyway, I am waiting to see when I do get out of this liminal phase, to full integration into a new place. Right now, I am enrolled in bridging courses, meant to give me the required core concepts needed for my research, that I was missing from undergrad. This is perhaps the most important liminal state that matters for my future. I am working my way through this phase, so that I understand my research and the science behind it.
I will get out. It is only a matter of time.
