I was born in Indonesia, the youngest of five children. My parents were from the U.S. My dad was born in the city of New York and my mom was a TCK herself, born in northwest China of missionary parents from the U.S. Of course, that was before the term “third culture kid” was coined.
Read MoreWhen older loved ones and elders in our community pass away, we find comfort not in recounting their titles, achievements and successes. Instead, we share stories – stories that highlight their qualities and characteristics, that show us how they lived their lives. As we share these stories, we often recognize how a person changed and grew over his or her lifetime. Our lives are dynamic, and different seasons have different characteristic markers and points of focus.
Read MoreIt was a summer of growing discontent. Finally, a “perfect storm” of stressors and life circumstances made landfall on my heart. Tossed and blown, my heart was longing for a place to feel tethered.
Read MoreTCKs, especially those who continue to live and work internationally in their adult life, know the exhilaration of international travel and adventure. But many express a desire as well to be rooted, to settle.
Read MoreJust what is the “third culture?” For TCKs, the third culture is not really an integrated system of behaviors, ideas and artifacts. It is a relational term. The “culture” consists of the shared experiences with others who have gone through similar life experiences from living internationally. TCKs will express how they can feel comfortable and understood with other TCKs because they just “get it.” They understand.
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