The TCK Context: Bred Cross-Culturally, Raised on an Airplane. Third Culture Kids The TCK Context: Bred Cross-Culturally, Raised on an Airplane.

Broad defintion Shorthand version, A TCK is person who was raised in both: 1.  a genuinely cross-culturally settings 2.  Highly mobile, 3.  often always in a state of cultural and geographical flux  

EX International Businessmen, Kids of expats, or: ambassadors, International government arms, military, NGO's International Businessmen, Missionaries ...etc

the 3rd in Third Culture Kids Children  leave their "home nation" and live in a host nation for a time.  however, by nature of parents work, they continually move back and forth between cultures. They never fully integrate into their host culture, nor do they fully identify or integrate with their home culture. They don't really fit in any culture So they thereby create their own special and unique "Third" culture.

This 3rd culture is mirrored in several ways. They look like they belong in any culture they live in- but aren't The first it their unique ability to "code switch" between cultures comfortably.   But TCKs actually rarely feel that they have a home They often feel culturally and geographically homeless The closest relationships TCKs often have are with each other In fact, TCK studies show that, aside from family, TCKs feel closer to each other more than anyone from their own "home" country. TCKs have unique bond with eachother based on shared 

Central Paradox reasons "Central Paradox" - look like at home, never feel at home Relationships Are the home.  The Lena - model DMIS Profile - & personality. 1-5 cultural profile, 1=ethnocentric AND 4/5=ethnorelative       Lena scored both extremes ...Theoretically impossible!! TCK culture: bubble culture International high school     Emphasize cultural similarities over differences = 

Challenges CULTURE - Stress MOBILITY - Stress Therefore, Personal identity development, heritage, cultural connection,  Relationships, Social abilities, Family, Family ID Repatriation

AWESOMEnes..(s) plural TCKs possess an incredible array of International experiences and deep cultural understandings. Because of their ability to understand different perceptions (having many themselves)  TCK’s are often very adept at cultural bridge building or mediating. They score higher in personality tests in cultural Empathy and Openmindedness, and Many are bilingual, sometime multilingual,  them highly valuable to any organization

Somewhat the new darlings of the international community. TCK are sought out for their cultural "code shifting,"  this is, their comfortable ability to interact with or within different cultures. Their cultural understanding, and multi-dimensional perspectives make them very desirable to any organization that interfaces between language and culture such as governments, NGOs, journalists, or businesses.