1. YOUR
THIRD CULTURE KIDS

2. Colors by Whitni Thomas (TCK) I grew up in a Yellow country But my parents are Blue. I'm Blue. Or at least, that is what they told me. But I play with the Yellows. I went to school with the Yellows. I spoke the Yellow language. I even dressed and appeared to be Yellow. Then I moved to the Blue land. Now I go to school with the Blues. I speak the Blue language. I even dress and look Blue.

3. But deep down, inside me, something's Yellow. I love the Blue country
But deep down, inside me, something's Yellow. I love the Blue country. But my ways are tinted with Yellow. When I am in the Blue land, I want to be Yellow. When I am in the Yellow land, I want to be Blue. Why can't I be both? A place where I can be me. A place where I can be green. I just want to be green.

4. I’m a little blue and a little yellow...
I’M GREEN!

5. Global Nomads
“perpetual outsiders, …. born in one nation, raised in others, flung into global jet streams by their parents’ career choices and consequent mobility. [They] shuttle back and forth between nations, languages, cultures and loyalties. They live unrooted childhoods” (Eidse and Sichel, 2004)

6. Disconnected
“They show forced extroversion by going out of their way to get to meet new people and form friendships quickly. They tend to mesh and mimic, which cuts down on the need to gain acceptance. They travel lightly, entering relationships that are typically short-term and intense, and they develop ease in saying goodbye, leaving very few people from whom they cannot walk away”
(McKillop-Ostrom, 2000)

7. What is a ‘Third Culture Kid’???
“A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all of the cultures, while
not having full ownership
in any. Although elements
from each culture may be
assimilated into the TCK’s
Life experience, the sense
of belonging is in
relationship to others of similar background.”
– David C. Pollock

8. What is the “third culture?”
Third Culture (International Lifestyle)
First Culture (Home/Passport)
Second Culture (Host)
9:12
(“Neither/Nor World”)

9. The making of the TCK… The term “Third Culture Kid” was first
coined by sociologist/anthropologist Dr.
Ruth Hill Useem in the 1950’s.
Initially TCKs were the children of expatriates
including: missionaries, military personnel,
diplomats, and businessmen.
Today there are many reasons families live
abroad -mainly due to increased migration
and globalization.

10. Where is home?

11. Hi… my name’s Paula
My mum’s from Mauritius and my Dad is from England. I was born in Mauritius but spent my childhood living in other countries. I lived in Cyprus, Malawi, England, Tanzania, Bahrain and Mauritius. The majority of my earlier years were spent in Africa and the Middle East. We moved so much because my dad was a civil engineer and worked on building projects around the world. Home is where my family is and wherever I am living at the moment. I am an Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK).
Activity – Introductions… as eldest child

12. The need for ‘International’ Schools…
Initially created to educate the children of Western
expatriates while they were living
abroad.
Designed to provide educational
continuity for when children
eventually returned ‘home’.
Today, international schools are
on the rise representing many
different curricula from various
cultures.

13. The need for ‘International’ Schools…
There is no specific definition
for what an International school
is. Many different schools
around the world identify as
‘International’. A number of
these are accredited by
organizations such as the IBO ( and the Council
of International Schools (

14. Culture….
“Culture consists of the values, traditions, social and political relationships, and worldview created, shared, and
transformed by a group of people bound
together by a common history,
geographic location, language,
social class, and/or religion.”
Nieto (1999)
- Culture is not instinctual, it is
learned.
- It is how we make sense of our
surroundings.

15. The Iceberg Model

16. Culture Shock A few definitions:
Culture Shock refers to the feelings of distress and unease when being exposed to a foreign culture.
A condition of confusion and anxiety affecting a person suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar culture or environment.
A communication problem that involves the frustrations that come from the lack of understanding of the verbal and nonverbal communication of the new culture, its customs and its value systems.
Not knowing how to ask for cheese at the grocery store.
1 minute

17. The “U Curve”

18. Reverse Culture Shock

19. Challenges of the TCK experience…
Having to adapt to
new environments
numerous times.
Leaving familiar/
liked places behind.
Leaving family (sometimes immediate
family) behind. Fathers/mothers may
work far away).
Leaving friends behind.

20. Challenges of the TCK experience…
Being the ones to be left behind by
friends and having to adjust to this
new situation, forge new friendships.
Constant goodbyes.
Third Culture Kids may experience
a lot of anxiety about moving.
They may be angry and resentful.
Different school systems can be
difficult to adapt to.

21. Challenges of the TCK experience…
Adapting to the new environment by becoming a
“chameleon” (trying to blend in), “screamer”
(standing out), or “wallflower” (trying to go
unnoticed) (Pollock & Van Reken, 2009).
They may keep others at arms length –
why let people in when we’ll have to let
them go?
Cling to possessions – they feel as though
they need to have control of something or need
something familiar close by.

22. Challenges of the TCK experience…
Nowhere to call home… “No sense of
belonging”
Feeling that they have
no identity – feel that
they don’t fit.
Sometimes thrown into
an environment where
language barriers make it difficult to
communicate.

23. There was no funeral.
No flowers.
No ceremony.
No one had died.
No weeping or wailing.
Just in my heart.
I can’t…
But I did anyway,
And nobody knew I couldn’t.
I don’t want to…
But nobody else said they didn’t.
So I put down my panic
and picked up my luggage
and got on the plane.
--”Mock Funeral” by Alex Graham James

24. Grief Lack of awareness Losses are often hidden, invisible, unnamed
Lack of permission to grieve
Grief is discounted
Grief is denied
Lack of time to process
Lack of comfort

25. To understand why grief from these losses is often hard to process…
Lack of awareness
Losses are often “hidden” because they are intangible or invisible
Loss of a world
Loss of the dream
Loss of status
Loss of a sense of “system identity”
Loss of a sense of cultural balance
Loss of cultural cohesion in the family
Loss of lifestyle
Loss of possessions
Loss of relationships
Loss of system identity
Loss of the past that wasn’t
Loss of the past that was

26. Identity
Identity “represents the process by which the person seeks to integrate his/her various statuses and roles, as well as his diverse experiences, into a coherent image of self”. (Epstein, 1978)

27. WHO AM I?

28. TCKs and Identity “Chameleon”—tries to find “same as” identity
“Screamer”—tries to find “different from” identity
“Wallflower”—tries to find “non-identity” (be invisible)

29. Benefits of the TCK experience…
Good communication
skills even with people
that they have just met or
individuals from different
cultural backgrounds.
Empathy for others
who find themselves in unfamiliar situations.

30. Benefits of the TCK experience…
TCKs can be extremely adaptable to
new places and situations.
They are exposed to many different
cultures and environments which is a
true gift that not everyone
experiences.

31. Benefits of the TCK experience…
TCKs often learn additional languages.
In a world where it is becoming
increasingly common to move abroad
for work purposes – Third Culture Kids
are well prepared as they have
already had the experience of settling
into an unfamiliar environment.
Connections/friends all over the world.

32. Benefits of the TCK experience…
TCKs have a broad range of experiences
to draw on.
Exposed to different educational
environments.
TCKs become more tolerant of differences
in others and are more aware and sensitive
with regards to cultural differences.

33. Benefits of the TCK experience…
Not ‘no identity’ just a ‘different identity’ -
being a TCK is an identity in itself, and
TCKs often find that they relate well to
others who have a similar background to
them.
Third Culture Kids are true
Global Citizens!!
TCKs often develop very
close family relationships.

34. Benefits of the TCK experience…
Larger world view, TCKs feel more connected to the world outside of the country they are living in.
Adaptability and Independence.
Flexibility, Tolerance and Respect.
Access to top-class education.
Success in Education and in the workplace.
More avenues for continuing education.

35. “I am from....” by HendrikVerrijssen
I am from Belgium, where the clouds are usually soaked in rain, I am from Italy, where the clouds are always cleared by sunlight, I am from Poland, where the sky is as dark as coal, I am from Mozart, whose music charmed peoples’ hearts and woke their souls, I am from my dreams and nightmares, where my imagination takes over, I am from Egypt, whose mysteries haunt peoples’ minds, I am from the ocean, where the waves calm my thoughts, I am from the mountains, where the echo calls my name, Most of all, I am from my family, where my heart truly belongs.

36. Supporting your TCKs Moving Be sure to look after yourselves.
Both parents should display a positive yet realistic attitude, as this resonates within the family.
Be a role model for appropriate ways to handle feelings.
Talk openly and acknowledge feelings.
Involve your children in any moves as early and as much as possible.
10 minutes

37. Try to maintain daily routines, and maybe add one.
Remember that the concerns of children differ from those of parents.
Encourage both maintaining old friendships and making new ones.
Encourage your children
to be involved in their
communities.
Be aware that children
adapt to new environments
at different rates.

38. Look for warning signs of children not adjusting well.
Laugh early and often.
Take a creative lead in exploring the new environment and culture.
Fight the urge to totally ‘clean house’.
Don’t isolate your family.
Allow children to establish some control over their lives wherever possible.

39. Ongoing . Remember that losses and grief can occur at any time.
LISTEN, be patient, empathize, and do not underestimate the stress of your child.
Talk about your home culture and keep connected with family still living in your ‘home base’.
Build strong ties in each community in which you live.
Provide opportunities for your children to express their grief/anger (journaling, scrapbooking, etc…).

40. Validate and acknowledge (and at times this may include educating and labeling) the emotions and feelings your child is experiencing; for many people simply discovering that there are legitimate reasons for their feelings not only helps them understand themselves better, it also normalizes their experience.
BE THERE.You are your TCK’s rock.
Encourage your child to maintain relationships and keep in touch with friends.

41. How does the school support your TCKs?
Experienced faculty that are sensitive to the needs of TCKs
Professional Development opportunities for teachers
Transitions Support
ESOL support
Mother Tongue Classes
Counseling Support

42. How does the school support your TCKs?
Family Support
Supportive, empathetic community
University Guidance Counseling
Mission Statement
Celebrating Diversity

43. Useful Resources - Books
Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds, Revised Edition. Revised Edition. ByDavid C. Pollock & Ruth van Reken, 2009.
Expat Teens Talk, Peers, Parents and Professionals offer support, advice and solutions in response to Expat Life challenges as shared by Expat Teens. By Lisa Pittman, 2012.
Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere: Insights into Counseling the Globally Mobile. By Lois J. Bushong, 2013.
Emotional Resilience and the Expat Child: Practical Storytelling Techniques That Will Strengthen the Global Family. By Julia Simens, 2011.
Raising Global Nomads: Parenting Abroad in an On-Demand World. By Robin Pascoe, 2006.
Writing Out of Limbo: International Childhoods, Global Nomads and Third Culture Kids. By Gene H. Bell-Villada,

44. Useful Resources - Websites

45. Feedback