The basic definition of Third Culture Kid is, ‘A child who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years in a country other than the one they call home’.
As a rough guide though, an expat kid could probably be classed as a TCK if they have spent more than four years away from their home country and been of school age for most of that time.
So, what does it mean to be a TCK?
’Different,’ is the most common answer from adult TCKs (i.e. an adult who was once a TCK - ATCK).
The life experiences of every child shapes them as they mature into adults and TCKs are no different in that respect. TCKs are different, however, in that they will have many experiences that their peers at home will never have and consequently will mature differently.
This alternate maturation process need not be negative, think of wine. One process produces a fine Chardonnay, another Champagne, they are different but both are excellent.
The differences between TCKs and their home-grown peers really only becomes apparent when the TCKs return home for an extended period of time (because when they are abroad they are probably with other TCKs), which usually happens when they return to their home country to attend university.
Drs John and Ruth Useem have carried out the most extensive research into TCKs yet published and they have learnt much that is of interest to parents who wonder if they are doing the right for their children by raising them abroad.
In general, it seems that raising children as TCKs is positive. There are of course some negatives, but however a child is raised, there will probably be some negative issues to worry about.
Looking at the negatives first, it seems that ATCKs take longer to mature, longer to decide what to do with their life (higher education, career, life partner, etc.), often find that people do not understand their attitudes and experiences and feel that they have no roots to a home town or country.
TCKs seem much more likely to change course halfway through university than their peers, which can worry their parents no end, and they also seem more likely to drop out of college to explore other opportunities (just like Bill Gates).
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