Third Culture Kids

Abstract

Third culture kids (TCK) are individuals who follow their parents on their overseas assignment, relocating to one (or more) countries for a period of time with an option to either repatriate or stay abroad if permitted. The day-to-day routine for these TCK families starts with continuous efforts to adapt to their new place while juggling their work and colleagues, culture, language, schools, weather, environment, living arrangements, and the most daunting mission: making new friends. At the same time, TCK families have to deal with homesickness, losses, and nostalgia for their previous country of residence. It is understandable that while living overseas, TCK families tend to find comfort and build relationships with other expatriates as they undergo similar experiences. As a result, TCK grow up being exposed to three different cultures. The first is the primal culture or heritage culture; the second is the culture of the countries where they have lived; and the third is the interstitial culture and lifestyle shared and understood by TCK and other communities of expatriates. After the initiation of the term “TCK” in the 1960s, social science researchers have shown interest in this unique population. The emergence of journals dedicated to capturing the occurrences of high-mobility lifestyles and people who directly or indirectly affect TCK followed. Sponsoring organizations, international schools, and expatriate communities are contributing stakeholders during the developmental years of TCK. Living in several countries with cross-cultural exposure offers many benefits for TCK. They become bilingual or multilingual, gain a worldview perspective, are sensitive to different cultures and peoples, and develop early maturity, all of which match the qualities of a future international leader. Because of the promising benefits gained from living overseas, recent decades have witnessed the emergence of self-initiated expatriation, mostly with individuals who are TCK themselves wishing to give the same benefits to their family. However, numerous life disruptions (i.e., moving, losses, changing schools, learning a new language) have lasting effects on TCK. In their adulthood, on top of dealing with potential repatriation issues, TCK may be confronted with commitment issues, nostalgia, and unsettling emotions. Therefore, there is a strong urge for creating awareness of the TCK phenomenon within the society to prevent backlash from this upbringing.