Third Culture Kids (TCK’s) have a dilemma every time they are asked the question “Where are you from?” as they are from their home country but also from a foreign country. The pros and cons of sharing about one’s formative years in another culture are not understood by most people. Nor is the social impact in childhood and adulthood fully appreciated by single-culture people. Doug Thorpe, PhD and Dan Sims share their experiences from growing up as missionary kids in Congo and Japan, respectively. They share examples of trying to fit in as a foreigner in the US as a child (very difficult) and then how being a TCK affects one’s life and relationships as an adult.
Copyright © 2020 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.
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Fun to hear the various responses that you and our TCK’s get as they move through life! Yes, Congo remains in our roots.
Great podcast, very interesting to hear perspective from TCK’s. My mother was born and raised in Germany, but came over to the states when she was 21. She and my dad raised me and my sister in Irvine. She feels she is American, however in her Eighties she is missing her homeland. Best to you!
Knowing both you and Dan Sims as Christian brothers who have unique talents is great. Hearing your stories of fitting into what should be your own culture was eye opening! I remember you once asking a person where English was their second language; “When you dream, what language do you hear?” That’s a true TCK awareness right there!
My favorite quote regarding this question comes from Dave Pollock. He quotes a TCK who says, “When people ask me about where I’m from, I play a few notes… and if they show interest, I play the rest of the symphony.”