Third Culture Kids in a Flat World
by Joseph Cerquitella


In Genesis 11:1 we are told: "...and the whole earth was of one language and of one accent and mode of expression." Recent linguistic studies have proved that indeed this account to be true and accurate. But things have changed...

The odds are good that most parents reading this in Budapest have Third-Culture Kids (TCKs). In our globalised era this phenomenon is growing along with the recognition that these kids need specialized attention:

"[A] third-culture kid is an individual who has spent a significant part of the developmental years in a culture other than the parent's culture. They develop a sense of relationship to all the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Elements from each culture are incorporated into the TCK's life but the sense of belonging is to others of similar experience." (Pollock & van Reken, 2001, pg.19)

A few years ago the late David C. Pollock, one of the gurus of TCK research, visited Budapest to conduct a
TCK seminar. Sadly, the turnout for this two-day event was not up to the level the organizers had hoped to get. Why? This is possibly because this idea of a cultural chameleon is still misunderstood, or worse yet, marginalized.

Set apart

Here are some statistics and observations you most likely have not seen before, which I believe demonstrate why these global nomads will be the global leaders of tomorrow.

They have confidence, ability to change, adaptability, flexibility, closure skills and usually a deeper empathy for others.

Studies conducted both at Michigan State University and San Diego State University discovered some profound and unique characteristics of this group. For example, in the United States 21% of the total population hold a four-year college degree while the number of TCKs with degrees is 81%! Moreover, more than half of them go on to earn post graduate degrees.

As is typical of TCKs, it took them longer to attain the degree and they most likely switched majors two, three or ever four times. Or better yet, they took a year off to "backpack across Africa" with other Third Culture Kids.

They are unique and, I believe, uniquely qualified for leadership in the flat world, globalisation phenomenon we see all around us.

In terms of eventual adjustment to "home" the researchers found that according to the sample group, it never happens... The TCK never really adjusts as they, in one form or another experience delayed adolescence, reverse culture shock or re-entry problems.

Unique mindset

Being a TCK is not a problem but more of a condition; problems can be fixed or solved but a condition must be managed. To attempt to fix a condition or manage a problem only leads to frustration and confusion on everyone's part. TCKs are not a disease, nor strange, but they are a different breed. They are unique and, I believe, uniquely qualified for leadership in the flat world, globalisation phenomenon we see all around us. TCKs' ability to function cross culturally affords them a running head start in the global marketplace. These kids are natural creative risk takers, exactly the skills that will be so precious in the flat world.

Set to lead

While flying back "home" to Budapest last month I found myself totally enraptured by a new book by three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas L. Friedman, The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century which has quickly become my second-favourite book. As I turned the pages at breakneck speed, I could not help but realise that our kids (yours and mine) are the ones who, for whatever reason have been placed in this wonderful, challenging and I dare say, enviable, position.
They are in my estimation perfectly suited to lead the way. Effortlessly functioning cross-culturally, these students will intrepidly go places we never dreamed of. They have confidence, ability to change, adaptability, flexibility, closure skills and usually a deeper empathy for others. Parents can further develop these skills by giving their children both roots and wings.

Values vacuum

I would be remiss if I did not address a serious point of concern involving TCKs and cultural values. The question of course is: who is teaching my child my values?
As a global nomad the child is not usually surrounded by the extended family or the trappings of the "home" culture. We have seen great success when parents, teachers and schools work together to teach, guide, instruct and at the same time not be afraid to correct students. Complacency in this area by parents could have long-term negative effects. International schools can be very important as they allow the children room to grow in a safe multicultural setting that will further develop the skills they are naturally acquiring merely by being a Third Culture Kid... or as Ted Ward called them in 1984, "The Prototype Citizen of the Future."