Where Am I From?A Third-Culture Kid (TCK) Perspective

Growing up in the United Arab Emirates

Renjie ButalidMarch 18, 2011

Intercultural Communication Prof. György Csepeli

Kőszeg, Hungary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FouOIB_AAfw&

Third-Culture Kids (TCKs)*

• The term “Third Culture Kids” was first coined by sociologist Ruth Hill Useem in the 1950’s, after spending a year on two separate occasions in India conducting research on North American children living in India.

• Initially, the term "third culture" was used to refer to the process of learning how to relate to another culture.

*Bell, 1997; Downie, 1976; Gerner et al., 1992; Useem, Jordan, & Coffrell, 1998

Third-Culture Kids (TCKs)

• Useem used the term "Third Culture Kids" because TCKs integrate aspects of their birth culture (the first culture) and the new culture (the second culture), creating a unique "third culture.”

• In time, they also started to refer to children who accompany their parents into a different culture as "Third Culture Kids."

Third-Culture Kids (TCKs)

• In the past, most of these children were from missionary, diplomatic, or military families;

• And recently, include children whose parents line of work include intergovernmental agencies, educators, international NGOs, and international media.

Third-Culture Kids (TCKs)

• TCKs cope rather than adjust, becoming “a part of” and “apart from” whatever situation they happen to be in.

• Other terms that have been used to describe these children include:

Global Nomads, hidden immigrants, transnationals, transculturals, internationally mobile children, and missionary kids.

What does this all mean?(from the perspective of a self-identified

TCK who grew up in the UAE)

EmiratisOther Arabs & IraniansSouth AsianOther expats (Westerners and East Asians)

UAE Population: 5.1 million*

Emiratis: 19%Other Arabs & Iranians: 23%South Asian: 50%Other expats: 8%(Westerners and East Asians)

*https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ae.html

Right: Grade 2 - Al Ain, UAE (91-92)

Left: Grade 1 - Al Ain, UAE (90-91)

Why does everyone else know where they are from and why don’t I know

where I am from?

• False assumption• No sense of belonging anywhere• Constantly searching for identity• Foreigner in your own country growing

up (UAE and Philippines)

Multiple attachments to different places, better cultural understandings

• Better capacity to understand other cultures

• Easily pick up other languages: English, French, Arabic, Tagalog (Filipino), Cebuano (local dialect), Hungarian

• Easily adjust to local cultural mindset and context (Middle East, North America, Asia, Europe)

Many different experiences and connections all over the world

Thank YouMerci

Salamat po(Shukran) شكرا

KöszönömDankeshön

DakujemGrazie