I’m trying to compile a list of books (fiction/biography/autobiography) that have global nomads or third culture kids as the main character. I have started with
“Camel Rider”
“The Secret Garden”
“Octagon Magic”
Can you please recommend others?
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I just discovered this little gem. (Somewhat) multicultural/trans-national holiday cheer for the music lovers among you.:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8[/youtube]
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Anybody know of any real data, or data-driven educated guesses, regarding the number of TCKs/ATCKs currently living in the world?
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When we teach cross-cultural communications to help prepare prospective exchange students and expats to cope with foreign cultures, we usually begin by comparing “culture” to an iceberg. 10% of a culture is “above the surface,” wrapped up in visible manifestations like mode of dress, language, dance, customary rituals, etc. These things are easily taught. The other 90% of the culture, however, is the key to truly understanding your host nationals. It is the set of hidden beliefs, assumptions, mores, taboos, etc. that define the shared “soul” of the people in that culture.
Most of the TCK research and discussion that I have seen serves the very necessary function of helping people identify people who may actually be TCKs, based on a shared life-experience, and trauma, to facilitate outreach, and enable the nurturing and ministry needed by so many young TCKs who are making that initial transition “home” to their passport culture, and realizing that they do not belong. Hey, it helped me immensely when I was going through it, and I don’t have anything against it.
However, definitions of “third culture” that are a procedural description of the life experience (intercultural mobility as a child) or the kinds of trauma (rootlessness, restlessness, loneliness), or the kinds of skills (linguistic ability, flexibility in the face of change) that many TCKs share, does nothing to help an outsider (or even our own community) understand what are the deeper, hidden aspects of our shared psyche that make us unique and different. What are the mores and taboos that we share, that are different from the mono-cultural norms, and that are unique to TCKs? What cultural beliefs and assumptions do we have, that both enable us to excel in some activities and relationships, but actually impede our ability to function in others?
What do you think are the defining cultural characteristics of the Third Culture?
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I just heard a scary piece on National Public Radio, regarding the number of U.S. American families living abroad, whose votes are NOT COUNTED in elections, b/c of inconvenience and delays in receiving ballots, and then getting them back in before the deadline — all of which varies from state to state since none of the procedures and deadlines are coordinated. There is apparently a great, non-profit service that helps get info, ballots, etc. to people abroad in a timely manner, so I thought I’d pass the info along, since folks on this site are likely to know people currently in this boat. The following info was cut and pasted from that org’s web site:
Register to Vote: Overseas Citizens and Uniformed Services members
Secure, Internet-based, automated voter registration wizard: the nonpartisan Overseas Vote Foundation, www.overseasvotefoundation.org, provides overseas citizens and active duty military, their spouses and families with an easy, full-featured voter registration solution — online! Supporting services include OVF’s Voter Help Desk and the OVF Election Official Directory. This site makes absentee voter registration accessible and fast. Presidential Preference and State Primaries start in January 2008. Upcoming Presidential/General Election: November 4, 2008. Register today!
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