1. Third Culture Kids By Mr. Jordi Blanco

3.  Barack Obama is a Multiracial Third Culture Kid born in Honolulu, Hawaii and grew up in Indonesia and Chicago.

4. Definition of “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.” (Pollock and Van Reken, 1999)

5. Examples of TCK’s  Children who move into another culture with parents due to a parent’s career choice  Children born to parents from at least two cultures or races.  Children of refugees  “Domestic” TCK’s —Children whose parents have moved in or among various subcultures within that child’s home country

6. 2 Important things…

7. Identity

8. WHAT IS IDENTITY? Is the process by we integrate our statuses and roles, as well as his diverse experiences, into a coherent image of self. (Epstein, 1978)

9. Culture

10. SIGNIFICANCE OF CULTURE  Being “in the know” gives us a sense of stability, deep security, and belonging.  When we are having to learn and relearn the basic rules by which the world around us is operating, our energies are spent on surviving rather than living; struggling to understand.

11.  Children and adolescents who move among different cultures are doing so before they have formed their own personal and cultural identity.

12. Cultural Shock

14. What about Pro’s and Con’s of being a TCK?

15. Pros of Being a TCK  Understanding of other cultures  Reflective thinkers —knowing that there are many ways to approach a given situation  Thinking outside of the box.  Stronger practical skills. Linguistic skills.

16. But not everything is great…

17. Cons of Being a TCK  Lack of a ‘home base ’ means it’s hard. “I don’t belong anywhere”.  The emotional upset of having to say goodbye to people and places on a regular basis.  Make new connections and friends— ”what’s the point if we’re going to move on again soon anyway” ”  Educational gaps due to different curriculums being followed at different schools

18. Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIlpSavAea g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIlpSavAea g  This documentary was presented at the November 2010 ECIS conference by Ms. Laura Cowan ( MS Counselor) and was filmed onsite at the Shanghai American Schools

19. What can parents do to help?  Involve your children in decision-making during and/before the move (to the extent possible). Even if they do not have any power in the outcome!. Example. American not saying.  Establish a sense of control in their lives (where to have dinner, what movie to see, etc.)  Provide time for children to grieve and be supportive of their needs— each move is a TRUE loss for them.

20. What can children do to help themselves?  Research where you are going before you get there. Learn about the new country you will be living in prior to moving there  Be involved in family conversations and decisions about where you are moving to  Connect with your new school. Become involved in after school activities, clubs and community events  Have someone you can talk to about your feelings.  Know that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and unsure. It is part of the process..

21. Return “home” and reacclimatize Pros  Chance to reconnect with home culture and learn what it means to be from a certain country  Reconnect with family  Far more schooling options  Challenge of new school environment  Community opportunities Cons  Sense of not belonging  Not well-equipped to deal with transitions on own  Superiority/inferiority complex  Can be far from parents  Often not recognized as international by university

22. Any Questions??