Temporary TCKid Home

Hey there!!

I’m thinking of continuing my university studies in England or Florida, where I’m currently residing. Has anyone here studied at the U of Florida, Manchester or Leeds University? or is currently a student? I’d be grateful to anyone who is willing to share some insight/suggestions/advice regarding any of these places (What can I expect? What is the true percentage of international students at the university? what is campus life like? is it lgbt friendly? etc….)

“Chameleon, the Experiences of Global Citizens” at Toronto Fringe Excerpts: Solos from Alaine Handa on Vimeo.

Doing my doctoral thesis on the loss experience that TCKs have when they leave their parents home. My survey should provide some correlations between the loss experience, grief, resilience, and attachment to God. If any are interested in taking it, go online to www.saltleadership.org/survey and sign up.

Hi All!

I’m new to this website, I joined about 2 weeks ago. It’s so terrific that I’ve finally discovered what being a TCK is all about- at 41 years old! haha.

I live in Florida, USA, for right now, but have lived in 7 countries before the age of 18, and have traveled to 22 more since then. (Yes, I like to travel I guess…) The Florida group on TCKid.com is trying to arrange a meetup, so I wanted to make a post to all of us to let anyone know that lives here to take a look. It would be great to meet others like us.

I love reading everyone’s blogs. We have so much in common. It’s reassuring to know we have a “safe place” to share.

I also belong to the Third Culture Kids Everywhere Facebook page-it’s pretty active lately. There is also a Facebook TCK Florida page, but it’s not as active. Take a look =)

Wishing everyone a happy new year!

“You get a strange feeling when you’re about to leave a place. Like you’ll not only miss the people you love, but the person you are now, at this time and place, because you’ll never be this way ever again.”

–Azar Nafisi

Never have someone’s words appealed to my soul like these. Just thought I’d share.

To enter leave a comment on my DrieCulturen blog before the 31st of December 2012. You might win a signed copy of “Fly Away Home” by Maggie Mykleburst. Maggie was born and raised on the Jersey Shore. She is married to a Norwegian and they have lived as expats in Houston and the Netherlands.

Link to DrieCulturen blog

Here’s a book trailer too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL17qAJiTLg

*WARNING WARNING, RANTING AHEAD. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK*

So today, a good friend of mine moved to France.

I was sad, but super excited for her, as it was her first time moving –ever.

However, I didn’t really display my sadness, because when I was growing up, that was frowned upon. Plus, when you have never lived anywhere more than 3 years, friends coming in and out of your geographic position isn’t really that big of a deal.

But apparently it is to one of my roommates.

She took one look at my not-sad-enough face, and flat out called me a bitch.

Why?

Because I “obviously didn’t love my friend, since I am not even sad to see her go.”

Ok, first of all, you have known me a whole 5 months. How dare you presume to understand how I am feeling?! Not to mention, you’ve freaking known me a whole 5 months! You should know by now that I rarely show my real emotions.

Secondly, just because I don’t feel the need to cry, and scream, and throw things, and lapse into a month long depression because my friend left (like YOU do), doesn’t mean I’m not upset.

It doesn’t mean I am not going to miss my friend.

I am.

But more than that, I am excited for her, ok?

She has the whole great new experience waiting for her, and it is going to be epic, and I will see her again, it is not like she is dying.

I now have a reason to travel (back) to France.

We have Facebook, and letters, and phones, so it isn’t like I will never talk to her again.

So cut the name calling.

And stop looking at me like I killed a baby seal or something.

Although seal meat is delicious.

Not that you’d know.

Because you have never been anywhere.

And wrinkle your nose at the idea of eating any meat besides beef, chicken, and pork.

Great.

Now I DO sound like a bitch.

A-Cross-Cultural-Kids Austausch-Tag
am 5. Jan. 2013 – Schloss Hurlach/BY
 
Ein Tag für erwachsene Cross-Cultural-Kids.

Cross-Cultural-Kids sind normal, anders, bunt, interessiert, global und lieben den Austausch miteinander
Darum geht’s! Ich bin ich – und ich tu was ich bin! An diesem Tag entdecken wir unsere Farben, wir haben Spaß und überlegen was das für uns praktisch bedeutet.

Wer ist der Veranstalter?
Jochen und Christine Schuppener waren selbst mit ihren Kids 8 Jahre im Ausland. Als psychologische und interkulturelle Berater unterstützen sie vor allem Rückkehrer aus dem Ausland bei der Reintegration. Andreas Radlingmayr ist TCK und Kinderarzt
Wie ist der Ablauf?

Beginn 10 Uhr – Ende 17 Uhr. Natürlich gibt’s auch ein Mittagessen. Schluss ist gegen 17 Uhr. Anreise am Vorabend mit Chill out  ist möglich. Abreise am nächsten Morgen ebenfalls. Weitere Infos auf unserer Webseite unter Projekte/Termine.
 
Mit herzlichem Gruß
 
Jochen & Christine Schuppener

The book gives insight into the life of a third culture kid. Kathy survived a plane crash, an earthquake and a military coup but to her her life was normal. It was only when she moved to California to start college that she discovered that the other girls didn’t like her stories of her life abroad. They thought she was bragging or lying. Her first year was very difficult, she suffered from a “reverse” culture shock. I can really identify with this part of the book because my experience was very similar to Kathy’s. I went to university in the Netherlands but had a similar experience. Kathy starts to wonder whether there is something wrong with her. During the years in America she never got over the feeling that she was different.

Check the link for more information:

Book review of the book Expat Alien

Expat Alien by Kathy Gamble

Hi Everyone,

I just joined this week and I just wanted to formally introduce myself to the group. I just edited my profile so I figured it is easier to copy and paste my story here instead of retyping everything! Feel free to add me as a friend and tell me more about your experience!