International school students, cultural homelessness and home culture re-entry: a brief review of the literature

Abstract

Adopting and maintaining a congruent cultural identity may be problematic for third culture kids (TCKs) who generally experience at least two cross-cultural moves: leaving their parents' home culture for a new cultural setting, and re-entering their home culture. This literature review considers related issues of cultural homelessness, belonging and identity, home culture re-entry, and culture shock and reverse culture shock. The review also explores the shifting nature and changing student body make-up of international schools, and the associated impacts this has on TCKs in particular and society in general. This review was conducted as part of a larger qualitative research study targeting a deeper understanding of cultural homelessness and home culture re-entry through the narratives of TCKs regarding their experiences in an international school context. A synthesis of knowledge on this topic can be used to inform the development of appropriate counselling protocols for TCKs in the international school context.