Third Culture Kids: Citizens of everywhere and nowhere: Benefits of growing up global

Abstract

Children who grew up in a country other than their parent's culture are known as Third Culture Kids (TCK) (Pollock & Van Reken, 2001). Common reasons for this may be the parents' occupation or their desire to move. TCKs are exposed to three cultures based on ethnicity, birthplace, or place they were raised. This background can describe them as citizens of the world. The purpose of this research was to study some of the benefits of growing up global and the skills relevant to the experience. Some benefits and positive effects that are relevant to Third Culture Kids are having intercultural competence, creativity, open-mindedness, resilience, and high performance. The research was carried out as a qualitative study by interviewing six individuals whose background corresponded to a Third Culture Kid. The results were supported by literature, which showed that not only are there benefits to being a TCK, but also several positive influences that are visible in adulthood.