There is a lot of debate and questions surrounding the traditional term Third Culture Kid and there are hundreds of examples of contradictions when you try and make sense and match it to your own experience. It is important to remember that we are all different and, as such, we all have had unique experiences!
Also since the term “Third Culture” was coined in the 1950s, the world and its communities have changed drastically. It is often argued that the term Third Culture Kid no longer fits with the very rich and diverse experiences individuals have these days.
On this site, the term TCK or ATCK is used as a generic term and is not focused on the unique individual experience (this is the fun part for you to discover from each other later!), but rather the experience that is shared between individuals who have been raised across cultures.
The simple diagram below may help describe the very complex Third Culture concept. The individual who has been raised outside their home culture “creates” a Third Culture (the intersection) by borrowing bits from the original culture (First Culture) and bits from the host culture (Second Culture) and then making their own. This Third Culture is very much your own but the experience you went through to create it, is what makes the magical connection between Third Culture Kids possible.
If you can resonate and place your experience into this diagram, you may have a good reason to be considered a Third Culture Kid/Adult. If you are interested in finding out more, this site’s resources page is a good place to start (Google is also your friend!).
