[Winklepicker]

I could see the argument going either way--the potential stresses of the context making you lean more towards your preferences...but also forcing you to function more outside of your preferences...

Does anyone think international travel/living has played a role in affecting your preferences?
Maybe this partially depends which international cultures you're living in.

For me, I think it's increased my introvertedness.
On the one hand, being immersed in a new culture where you're still trying to learn the culture and LANGUAGE (<--*key factor, I imagine) makes me used to walking around feeling like I'm in my own isolated little bubble. Also, the constant moving makes it not worth as much energy investment to act as "extroverted" for establishing social networks you may have to leave in the near future...although maybe this latter point isn't exactly related to my original question...

On the other hand, I think I'm more adept at establishing and following through with social connections quicker when I actually need to or when I think I'd have regrets not doing so.



I also think it's maybe made me slightly less J and more P (-->no matter how much planning you do...which may force you to increase "J skills" since lots of planning is necessary...things still never go exactly as planned, and you often have to make many last-minute changes and be adaptable to limited resources or problems that "interrupt" your plans...which seem to force one to grow in "P skills").

[Uriel]

I've been to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and now Europe.

I was already introverted even before I started traveling 3 years ago. It helped in dealing with the initial isolation/culture-shock that's experienced when entering a new culture. I didn't feel the need to belong/blend-in, and was quite content just walking amongst them without interaction. Observe, observe, observe! Yum!

I did however, make more of an effort to be assertive when I needed help with something, or be more receptive when someone approached me. The whole death-stare is just not going to get me results I wanted if I plan on learning about the host culture. Should I call this extroversion, or feigned-extroversion? I still wanted to talk to people despite the fact that I was 'leaving pretty soon.' I wanted to get a feel for what their perspectives are toward their own country and their perspective towards other countries (ie. America).

Plans are overrated. It's nice to have a solid goal in the future, sure. But I learned that it's a lot better to work on adaptability and flexibility if you want to function in the real world. Yeah, I think my P is developing.

[heartland]

Such international travel as I've undertaken thus far hasn't made me feel less isolated, and I didn't make any new lasting friendships either.

[Mogura]

I have lived in Japan for several years. I wouldn't say that it's affected or changed my MBTI preferences (i.e., changing from one Type to another), but living here, interacting with the local culture, etc. has caused my personality to become subdued or changed somewhat.

Japanese society is very much ISTJ (if one can successfully ascribe a Type to a culture). It's rules, rules, and more rules. Everything is a process or a procedure. For those individual who don't take great pleasure in thinking or critical problem solving, it's easy street. However, for those that like to think for themselves, question rules--especially arbitrary ones that don't make logical sense--they're in for a rough ride. There is an aphorism which everyone uses here, "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down". The pressure to conform here is immense. The ones who struggle here the most are the ones "furthest" from the STJ mindset (NTJ, NFJ, etc.). I guess in this sense, it drove home the message that I am definitely not an STJ. LOL.

On the other hand, it is Introvert heaven, so I have had a lot of great work opportunities, etc. that I would not have had otherwise in an Extroverted society (i.e., US, which is more ESXJ). If you can demonstrate that you can do the job (and if you have the language skills), you're golden. The concept of psychoanalyzing a candidate to see if he/she is a "best fit" or testing their song and dance abilities is really not there (unless you're interviewing for a sales role). Employers don't check a candidate's credit history, etc. If you don't aspire to become a senior VP or the CEO, then that is fine. If you aspire to do your job really well (and that's all), that's usually good enough.

What I struggle with the most is human relationships (friendships, workplace cameraderie, romantic relationships, etc.). As an INFJ, making human connections is really important for me. For that reason many INFJs are actually mistaken for Extroverts. It's even a struggle to meet people, because most people here are cold, unfriendly, and indifferent. Not only that, they have a really poor work-life balance, so if by the offhand chance that you do make friends, most of your conversations will tend to be about work and not much else. To give you perspective if you have never been here, imagine a person from New York City who doesn't like to talk, lacks culture and joie de vivre--then you get the picture. You might meet some women who have traveled abroad extensively, but when they start regaling you with their tales of shopping at Louis Vuitton in London, Paris, Amsterdam, etc., you really gotta wonder. Most Japanese have given up on forming lifelong relationships after high school. They will tell you that their best friends are those they met in elementary or junior high school. Believe it or not, they have school reunions for elementary and junior high schools here--hell if I can name anyone I went to elementary school with! Anyway, I think due to my "failures" in this realm, I have gone from the more extroverted side of the spectrum to the extreme introverted side. You should see me when I travel to the US for a vacation--I am quite the chatty Cathy.

[eri]

I've spent a lot of time in different countries, including as a child. I moved overseas, again, as an adult several years ago, and went straight into language and culture learning...this is something I'm actually very good at. But I tend to put on different personalities- when I switch languages, even my voice and my mannerisms change to an extent; when I move between countries, my diet changes completely; and I'm always thinking about what is the appropriate way to behave in a situation. I find this makes it difficult in terms of evaluating mbti results- I don't know myself well enough, because I'm lost between the various ways I behave.

[Vogue]

I don't really think my living abroad has affected my MBTI preferences in anyway, however I had to adapt slightly living in Spain. I am sure I will have to adapt in a very similar way in Honduras as well. (I'm sure their cultures share similar values).

Spain is a very ExFx society. Getting a beer with people is considered the thing to do. Students would get beers with teachers, employers with bosses, co-workers with co-workers, peers with peers. Beer is the connecting force, it's where business and personal communication take place.

I'm not speaking from the point of view of a business person, for the record. Spain has a very touchy-feely society, where it's A-OK to grab someone on the metro and hold them so they don't fall over. Not even kidding. I had one dude grab my hands and put them on his shoulders and tell me to "hold on, so you don't fall."

I saw it enough in the year that I lived there that I know it was normal.

I will say I think living abroad has made me much more P, but that also might have been college-life that did that. I would plan to do things, and my plans would go to hell when I was invited to get beer at the local bar.

We'll see how Honduras affects me.

[Thinker]

I would agree with most of the comments above.

I spent a while travelling through Europe on my own when I was 21.
This was one of the best things that happened to me in terms of my chronic shyness.
Something along the lines of .....If you don't talk to people, you can't eat or find somewhere to sleep.
After a few months I could have simple conversations in a few languages, often relying on sign language or mime.

When I returned from Europe most of my friends at the time couldn't understand the change in my confidence and self esteem.

I would agree with Uriel in that you are often forced into being more assertive when needing help, as well as curious enough to strike up conversations with the locals. It also helps that you are a curiosity in a foreign country, so that there is an element of reciprocity when you start a conversation. People seem to be ultra helpful when you are obviously struggling with the language.....except for the French
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[paperclip]

Originally Posted by Vogue To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Spain is a very ExFx society. Getting a beer with people is considered the thing to do. Students would get beers with teachers, employers with bosses, co-workers with co-workers, peers with peers. Beer is the connecting force, it's where business and personal communication take place. I'm not speaking from the point of view of a business person, for the record. Spain has a very touchy-feely society, where it's A-OK to grab someone on the metro and hold them so they don't fall over. Not even kidding. I had one dude grab my hands and put them on his shoulders and tell me to "hold on, so you don't fall."

Living in Spain has had both positive and negative effects on my personality. The touching thing was easier than I thought to get used to, but I still don't like when my landlady touches my face or a stranger jabs my sides. The people here are extremely extroverted, talking about each other's business and constantly wanting to go out. In my home culture, its considered polite to say "Yeah, yes" or nod your head when someone is talking to show that you are listening. They don't enjoy that sort of attentiveness here and normally respond with a "tranquilo, tranquilo" relax, relax. If there is anything I can't as an INTJ it is being told to relax.

The women here are obsessed with their looks, and the family structure is restrictive. I can hardly go anywhere by myself without being thought of as lonely, and promptly invited to join the group. I think living here as made me more introverted because everyone is so demanding of your attention, back home I would hide away in my house and occasionally strike up a conversation with someone at the coffee shop, knowing my home was my haven.

Here people come to your house without any notice, so I am constantly on edge. On the other hand I've also become more P because I realize someone's intentions are probably more important than what they are doing that is upsetting to me.

Living in Spain has definitely given me a greater appreciation of life in NYC, and the diversity of the U.S. in general.

[Vogue]

Originally Posted by paperclip To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Living in Spain has had both positive and negative effects on my personality. The touching thing was easier than I thought to get used to, but I still don't like when my landlady touches my face or a stranger jabs my sides. The people here are extremely extroverted, talking about each other's business and constantly wanting to go out. In my home culture, its considered polite to say "Yeah, yes" or nod your head when someone is talking to show that you are listening. They don't enjoy that sort of attentiveness here and normally respond with a "tranquilo, tranquilo" relax, relax. If there is anything I can't as an INTJ it is being told to relax. The women here are obsessed with their looks, and the family structure is restrictive. I can hardly go anywhere by myself without being thought of as lonely, and promptly invited to join the group. I think living here as made me more introverted because everyone is so demanding of your attention, back home I would hide away in my house and occasionally strike up a conversation with someone at the coffee shop, knowing my home was my haven. Here people come to your house without any notice, so I am constantly on edge. On the other hand I've also become more P because I realize someone's intentions are probably more important than what they are doing that is upsetting to me. Living in Spain has definitely given me a greater appreciation of life in NYC, and the diversity of the U.S. in general.

I was touched by a lot of people. On my arm, my lower back, my leg, my hands, wherever. It was weird.

Oh my gosh, you are so correct with the 'tranquillo' thing!

I can not even recall how many times I was told 'tranquilla,' and I wasn't doing anything that would suggest I should calm down! I was like "I am calm..." I'm not sure what I was doing, I was probably nodding my head, but it could have just been my body language. My horse back riding instructor, and people in bars, especially come to mind.

When people would come to my apartment I rarely answered the door, because inviting someone in promptly turns to hours of chatter.

Oh, and all the women in their furcoats! I was wearing shorts in April, it was reaching 90 degrees in the direct sun, and women were still wearing coats! Then again, a week later the temperatures plummeted to the 40s again, so maybe I was the fool.

Then they have a proverb that translates too; "How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward." Totally, a Spaniard philosophy. The culture was way too chill for me.

I seriously grew to love the U.S while I was in Spain.

I think there is something to be said about my developing a 'P' while there though. Before I went to Spain I never tested on MBTI as a P, since I got back I've tested P on online tests a lot more often, even though I know that's not true.