"I have a person in my city that I can physically see, connect and hang out with. I am really delighted and hope that this will be the beginning of a lovely friendship." - Nioucha

Do you feel like a stranger in your passport country? No Tckid group or meetup in your area? Learn how Nioucha and Yu successfully met each other on tckid.com, and how you can do it too.

“Without [Tckid], which has become this lovely net for us all to caught in, we would have wandered the streets of Portland and missed each other!

Find a Tckid in your city in 10 minutes
Who would you like to meet? You can search based on age, interest, location and much more. Login to my.Tckid.com and use the “Advanced Search” to find members interested in making friends or networking in your city. There are new members joining every day, and we invite you to keep searching. (Can”t find someone in your location? Learn how to help raise awareness of Tckid in your region.)

Our First Meeting

“So, Yu and I agreed to meet in a lovely modern “European” style café in an area in the center of Portland called the Pearl District in the afternoon. Yu spotted me right away as I was getting ready to order my chai latte. We made warm our warm introductions, ordered our respective drinks and then sat down and talked…and talked…and talked. 2 hours and 45 min flew by so quickly as there was so much to exchange and parallels to draw.”

2. Break the ice: Introduce yourself
Yu wrote in her profile that she was interested in meeting new people in Portland, and Nioucha sent her a message to introduce herself and meet at a cafe. Sometimes you have to take first step to break the ice. You can start getting connected and meet people today.

"I travel... because I want to see the world through different eyes... and to meet TCKs around the world!" - Yu

“Yu is warm, very pretty, engaging, upbeat, easy-going, well-educated, well-rounded and a keen listener. While our stories and backgrounds are different, we are both transplants to this city, we are both struggling to find steady employment, we are both thinking about leaving and going elsewhere (but where to and when are the main issues), we both have an education/teaching background, we both feel a bit lost and ‘stuck between two or more worlds’, we both want to travel more, we both are fascinated by different cultures and languages and we both miss feeling connected to other internationals.

There were several moments when Yu was telling about her feelings or what she was experiencing that I felt “I know, I know what you mean. I have been there too!” That intrinsic sense of understanding the delicate and complex framework that makes us TCKs was such a lovely reprieve, a kind of “chicken soup for the soul”, from my more overall current feelings of frustration, isolation and at times profound loneliness. Now, not only do I have a little haven to connect with my TCK friends and companions online, but I also have a person in my city that I can physically see, connect and hang out with. I am really delighted and hope that this will be the beginning of a lovely friendship.”

What if I get no response and it doesn”t work out? And I still don”t know where I belong?

You may reach out to a few people and get no response or maybe you won”t connect with the right person right away. The reality is that you may have to meet more than one person before you find a connection that “fits”. Every friendship takes time to develop and requires persistence. However, taking the time to build a strong social network of friends in your city will reap many rewards. Learn more on TCK Academy.

Scott M writes:
“When I lived in Texas, I struggled to fit in, no matter how hard I tried… then I actually met a TCK here in the Tckid.com chatroom. We exchanged emails, and eventually got on Skype … and now we’re best friends. This community really changed my life, this is why I got involved to help.”

Want to meet Tckid today? Here”s how to get started:

1. Login to  http://my.tckid.com

2. Find a Tckid in your city
Who would you like to meet? Use the “Advanced Search” to find members interested in making friends or networking in your city. You can search based on age, interest, location and much more. There are new members joining every day, and we invite you to keep searching.

(Can”t find someone in your location? Learn how to help raise awareness of Tckid in your region.)

3. Join an interest group

Do you want to connect based on interests?  We have groups such as: Writers, Singles/dating, Parents, Office TCKs, Universities, Pre-teens, Missionary/Christian, Adult TCKs over 50+, and much more.

4. Read More Stories

Want to learn where you can read more stories and share yours?  Learn why over 21,000 members joined Tckid and read their stories.

More Questions? Check out our FAQ to get answers!

Here are a list of the Top 10 Third Culture Kid glossary terms to guide you through some of the basic words and concepts.

1) Third culture kid (TCK) – Dr. David Pollock, a sociologist and co-author of Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds, defines a TCK as “a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The TCK builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership of any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of a similar background.” This has traditionally included those who have grown up in more than one country.

Other terms for TCK include: global nomad; trans-culture kid; expat brat

Types of TCKs include:

a) Army/Military brats – A TCK with at least one parent working in his/her passport country’s military and who has moved lived in military bases.

b) Missionary Kids – A TCK with at least one parent working as a missionary for a religious institution and who has moved as part of missionary work.

c) Diplobrats – A TCK with at least one parent working in a diplomatic capacity, such as part of a government organization or embassy, and who has moved as part of diplomatic work.

d) Business brats – A TCK with at least one parent working in a multinational organization and who has moved as part of a business assignment.

2) Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK) – A TCK who is of adult age. An ATCK experiences adulthood with his/her TCK perspective.

3) Cross Cultural Kid (CCK) – Like TCKs, a CCK is a person who has spent a significant part of his/her developmental years outside of the parents’ cultures. CCKs include persons who have grown up in one country but within multiple cultural settings.

4) Unresolved grief – An emotional state felt as a reaction to loss of ties to a place or places where a TCK once lived. This feeling is exacerbated when the feelings of loss are not acknowledged or when there are no efforts toward reconnection, such as through communication or visits.

5) Itchy feet – The feeling characterized by restlessness and a desire to change locations. Many TCKs have expressed feeling this way after they have settled in one place.

6) Culture shock – An emotional state felt when reacting and adjusting to a new cultural setting. A person who moves to a new city or country may feel this after he or she first arrives.

7) Reverse culture shock – An emotional state felt when adjusting to a previously experienced cultural setting, which is often a person’s “home” culture.

Expatriate (also, Expat) – A person who resides in a place outside his/her usual place of residence or legal residence. A family who is sent on assignment away from its passport country are considered expatriates.

9) Repatriate – A person who returns to his/her usual place of residence or legal residence. A family who returns to its passport country after a foreign assignment are considered repatriates.

10) Global citizen – This is a term used by many TCKs who do not feel any affinity to any particular country or cultural setting, particularly in response to the question, “Where are you from?” Instead of using the citizenship listed in one’s passport, a TCK may just say that they are a global citizen.

Are you wondering how you can help tckid.com but aren”t sure how to get started?

Here are some simple and effective way you can help support our mission: Helping Third Culture Kids connect by making a difference.

Tell Your Friends About Tckid.com
The easiest way to support Tckid is to sign up by email. It”s free and anyone can join. This will help identify the number of people aware of the Third Culture Kid community and help you raise awareness. You will also be able to join groups based on your interests, age, and location.

Action steps:
*Go to http://tckid.com and sign up. Encourage other TCKs and their parents to sign up too to raise awareness.
*Join an interest group on my.tckid.com. (E.g: We have groups based on age, location, or interest. You can join other local leaders and help raise awareness.)
*Create your own group! You can search for our members and invite them to join.

How can I spread the word?

Our members need you to reach others. Third Culture Kids, parents, educators, and their friends need you to raise awareness of tckid.com. Become a Tckid advocate by doing the following: Tell a friend about tckid.com. Educate your friends, family, and co-workers about the TCK experience.

Action Steps:
* Post the “What is a TCK?” link on your Facebook, website, or blog.

Where can I share my story?

Why do you want to help? Share your story here. (We encourage you to share your gratitude publicly because this is a community effort!) Over 212 people have pledged to support Tckid and 75 left their thank you notes and success stories.

Action steps:
*Leave a comment describing why you want to help Tckid.
*Express your gratitude by thanking the community.
*Ask others in your group to share their stories about why having a community and this work is important to them.

Take the Belonging Challenge: Help 1 person find a sense of belonging

Give a sense of belonging to 1 person. The Belonging Challenge is an experiment in compassionate social action. If you””””re a member, you can help someone in need right now in your community.

Action steps:
*Sign up to the Belonging Challenge and commit to help 1 person.
*If you””””re already a member, http://my.tckid.com and start by helping people who are seeking advice or companionship. We don””””t need to change the world, just help 1 person.

Get the TCK Academy – Book (7 Things Every TCK Should Know) (Currently Out of Stock)

Written by Ruth Van Reken, Brice Royer and Dr. Paulette Bethel. Highly sought TCK consultant, and author of Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds and Letters Never Sent.

1. How do I learn to recognize and develop fully the gifts I received from this TCK experience?

2. How can I make and maintain friendships with non-TCKs and TCKs?

3. How do I sort out who I am and where I belong when I can’t get past the feeling of belonging “everywhere and nowhere?”

4. How do I deal with the grief I still feel from long ago losses of country and friends?

5. How do I stop restlessness, and the cycles of separation and loss I continue to create for myself because I can’t seem to stay in one place more than 2-3 years?

6. How can I not forget and lose my past while moving towards the future?

7. How do I deal with the loneliness I sometimes feel, even when others are around?

Sponsor TCKid: TCK Academy membership

Become a TCK Academy member which sponsors TCKid. Invest in Your Education And We Will Give One Free Scholarship to Students. Now you can finally get all the advice you want from cross cultural experts discussing with real people like you… without having to deal with travel fees.

How does TCK Academy help people?

How can I volunteer?

Always wanted to volunteer but not quite sure where to start? This is your one-stop guide to get you on the right track. Get on the waiting list here: http://tckacademy.com/leaders

How can I send a donation?

We currently do not accept donations online, but if you wish to support our efforts, you can become a TCK Academy member which sponsors Tckid.com.  Become a paid TCK Academy Member:  http://tckid.com/contribute.html

Email: admin@tckid.com
To sponsor via check or, money order, please email admin@tckid.com

People from across the world have joined TCKid UK to understand themselves a bit better and make a positive difference in people’s lives. Tell us why you’ve joined this community and how you have benefited from it.

It will help and encourage new members to reach out to their local groups.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK and THANK YOU NOTES BELOW:

1. How, specifically, did TCKid UK help you? (Did you make new friends?)
2. What would you say to a friend who was thinking of joining – but wasn’t sure?
3. If you feel it is warranted, feel free to leave a testimonial for volunteers or anyone involved by leaving a comment in the comment box below.

Thank you for your feedback!

“I don’t have many places that I feel I belong to. My house is not a home. I feel at home at TCKID. ” Aya N. Tokyo, Japan

“TCKid is a valuable resource to TCKs and those desiring to serve them. As an adult third culture kid working in Asia, serving over 2000 TCKs, I know that I want to see the work and resources of TCKid continue.

My father, David Pollock, who co-wrote the ground-breaking book Third Culture Kids with Ruth Van Reken, spent 26 years listening to, teaching, and caring for third culture kids everywhere. I feel strongly that he would fully support TCKid and the support and encouragement this site provides.

There are many more TCKs to reach. Let’s not allow the onslaught of a few to prevent the good of many!”
-Michael Pollock

“I am a mom of 4 TCKs – we have lived in Eastern Europe for 10 years, and have just recently returned to the states. TCKID information has been vitally important for the emotional health of my own children. I have shared countless times over the years with others who also have TCKs. This is an invaluable organization.
Lisa Runzo, Colorado Springs.

“I’m starting a fantastic obsession with this website. That’s what I’m doing right now. And I’ll keep doing it until I have to leave for work. – Nika

“This is so exciting… I’m reading some of the posts here and the stories are soo familiar..it’s great! I can’t believe that even after trawling the net for so long I didn’t find this place earlier!” – Kita

Useful Links:

TCKid Groups Flickr Pictures: Pictures from meetups from Singapore to Colorado. Send your pictures to manager@tckid.com

TCKid UK on Facebook

TCKids in the U.K on my.tckid.com -  Search for anyone based on interest, age, and location. (Private members only. Join here.)

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions: Questions? You will find your answers here.

I’m just kidding. What are you doing for V-day? Leave a comment
below to share with the community!

(P.S: Are you looking for a date? Add me on Facebook if you want to meet TCK singles of any age. Most of my friends are TCKs. Maybe I can introduce you to someone?)

Are you single and looking for a relationship? According to our surveys, 70% of our members prefer dating TCKs. If you’re a member, check out TCKid Singles to find a date. You can search for singles in your city (of all ages and interests) in 10 minutes. Are you new?

What are your plans for V-day? I want to hear from you. Leave a comment below.

I present to you, Interaction International’s first YouTube production…

Come on over, and give it a watch!!

All I can summarize is that it feels so secure and

happy to be in the cosmopolitan city

because it reminded me of the every places I lived

and visited

I felt that I have found myself and that it’s time to let go

of all the grudges and pain that I have experienced in

my life

The few drawbacks are dirty bathrooms and dirty and hot

subways (It made me miss subways in Asia, but I was

so happy to use public transportation)

I also got offended by the question of

“Do you speak English?”, when thinking about my

friends and the fact that I was already fluent in

English even before the moment I stepped into

the United States…

I guess minorities have still long way to go to

be accepted as an Americans -_-

My Mom teased me that I was ‘Californian country chicken’,

and I argued back that I am still a Seoul person

(Ok, I do admit that I got somehow used to

the suburb, but I’m still a city girl)

Fortunately, my Mom likes NYC so much that

she’s planning to return there to visit again next

year with me to see my brother in Canada

(He will go back to Canada this fall to finish his studies)

Overall, NYC people, especially the people who

were in hospitality industry, were very patient, nice,

and friendly

One time, my cellphone rang at the Metropolitan Museum

and the worker standing next to me danced

to the ringtone…HAHA

My favorite places that I visited were Ellis Island

and UN (Go UN!)

I took “Third Culture Kids” book with me and

read everything in this book…

I love reading, so I read tons of books since I was

a little kid, but this book was the book that made me

cry for the first time in my life

I’m going to post the review about this book next time

NYC and ‘Third Culture Kids’ book, thankyou so much!

I will miss you a lot, NYC!

Right now I live in my passport country in an area where there are a lot of very conservative people who are very nationalistic and patriotic. I don’t open my mouth much when they talk about national politics because I have a very different opinion…And in this area, people who support the government are very strong and state their opinions very passionately – so I just don’t say much. But inside I feel very uncomfortable. So, the result is that I don’t get very close to these people – at least this part of me I don’t share.

I know some countries you can have dual citizenship, but with the country I grew up in and my passport country, you can’t. And I have lived in my passport country for many years now, but my feelings about my two countries and cultures have really not changed very much over the years.

What experiences have you guys had with this sort of thing?