Third Culture Kids

My two children were born in Australia and grew up in Hong Kong. The elder went to university in England, where she has lived ever since. The younger graduated from university in the United States, where she lived for five years, before returning to Hong Kong to live. Between them, they have studied a range of languages other than their native English including French, Mandarin, Spanish and Cantonese. Both of them are global citizens, comfortable inhabiting different cultures, and living, studying and working in different countries around the world. They also fit the definition of the ‘third culture kid.’

The term ‘third culture kid’ refers to children who grew up in and were educated in a culture other than the one into which they were born. There are undoubted advantages to growing up in another country and another culture. These include unparalleled and unique educational opportunities. Rubbing up against another culture provides a perspective on one’s home culture in particular, and a perspective on the world in general, that cannot be easily gained from within one’s own culture. Very often there are opportunities to travel widely, to learn at least one other language within the community where it is the natural mode of communication, and so on. In short, it allows one to look at the world through different eyes. Third culture kids are flexible, adaptable, and perfectly placed to acquire the 21st century skills that are the cornerstone of educational systems around the world.

However, the label ‘third culture kid’ comes with a price tag. There are disadvantages as well as advantages. In many places, including Hong Kong, most expat kids will never become part of the local culture. In an important sense, they will always be outsiders. This is the nub of the label ‘third culture’. They no longer inhabit their home culture and can never merge with the host culture. They inhabit a third space–thus the label.

The complete article can be found in Issue #276 of the Tokyo Journal. Click here to order from Amazon.