Third Culture Kids

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View books by David C. Pollock, Ruth E. Van Reken.

a life changing book for the "third culture kids" - Rated
This book is absolutely amazing to read for any TCK, or a person "who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture" ("The TCK profile" seminar material, Interaction, Inc, 1981, 1). At first reading the book had been very difficult simply because I was crying so much reading it that I could not even see the letters anymore. This is because that book puts into words what many TCK knew unconsciously but never put words on it, like the feeling of being different and awkward in one own culture, not having a sense of where home is, etc...

The book has a very positive approach to the analysis of TCKs, and will refer to these issues as challenges rather than problems, and gives keys to transform these challenges into useful tools for everyday life. It also outline well the advantages one gains from such an experience, and it will probably help people maximise the use of these particular skills in their life.

It also gives advice about moving abroad by explaining the different emotional steps a person goes through when moving to a new country, and how to deal with relationship issues related to the TCK way of life and many other useful advices.

In addition, it has a great section on what relatives and friends can do to help the TCK with eventual problems that may arise from that particular experience.

I really recommend this book particularly for adult TCKs as it will help them put in words what has been in their heart all along.

Third Culture Kids - Rated
This is a must-read for anyone who has grown up in several countries and has been exposed to different cultures or who is bringing a child up under these circumstances.

The book is based on sound reaserch and is an easy read, without the usual psychobabble. It lays out both the positive and the negative impacts of such a lifestyle and exposes clearly the characteristics of "Third Culture Kids". The book concludes with very practical recommendations on how to overcome the negative aspects and encourage the positive, when bringing up a "Third Culture Kid". There is also much sound advice for adult TCKs.

As an adult TCK myself, the most gratifying - and reassuring - part of reading "Third Culture Kids" was finding out that there are so many others who have encountered the same difficulties, shared the same joys and have come out of a TCK childhood with very similar experiences to mine... I couldn't recommend this book more.

This is a brilliant book! - Rated
Having read a borrowed copy, I couldn't resist buying one for myself. This is an excellent book for anyone having had to deal with growing up in more than one cultural setting. If you've ever wondered why possessions become so important, why it's harder being 'back home' than it was living abroad, where this constant drive for pastures new comes from or why people seem to think you're stuck-up, then this book is for you! Similarly, if you've had more addresses than you have birthdays or changed schools more often than you care to remember, buying this book could prove to be the best money you ever spent.

I whole-heartedly recommend this book to any parent considering moving abroad, anyone having been shifted from one place to another and anyone dealing with people who have (partners, grand-parents, youth group leaders, teachers,...). Every school, church, mission base and embassy library should have a copy.

An Lannoo

Fantastic for parents and a 'must read' for every TCK . - Rated
This book is essential reading for all parents bringing up children in a culture other than their own.It has excellent practical guidelines on how to prepare children for a cross culture experience and perhaps even more important for returning to their 'home culture' (parent's home culture). With every move there is 'a grief' as we say goodbye to family, friends, pets, places and personal belongings. This book has some very helpful suggestions to make the moving process as painless as possibe. This book should be available in every airport, international schools, foreign service families, armed forces and missionary societies. Having read this book I quickly recommended it to our local International School and I am looking forward to hosting a seminar with David Pollock...