Book description
Rich with real-life anecdotes, Third Culture Kids examines the
nature of the TCK experience and its effect on maturing, developing a
sense of identity and adjusting to one's "passport country"
upon return. It profiles the personal challenges that TCKs experience,
from feelings of rootlessness and unresolved grief to struggles with
maturity and identity. Highlighting dramatic changes brought about by
instant communication and new mobility patterns, this new edition
shows how the TCK experience is becoming increasingly common and
valuable. The authors also expand the coverage to include
"cross-cultural kids," children of biracial or bicultural
parents, immigrants and international adoptees, who are bringing
hidden diversity to our world and challenging our old notions of
identity and "home."
Growing up as a TCK has been a gift and has significantly shaped my
life and work. As I interact with world leaders one day and with those
living in refugee camps the next, I continually draw upon my experience
of living among different cultures. I am delighted to see the lessons
learned from the traditional TCK experience live on in this new edition
of 'Third Culture Kids'.--Scott Gration, Maj. Gen. USAF (RET), President
Obama's Special Envoy to Sudan. Ruth E. Van Reken, herself an adult
TCK and a parent and grandparent of TCKs, is author of one of the first
books written about the TCK experience, Letters Never Sent. She lives in
Indianapolis, Indiana.
