For more than a decade, Third Culture Kids has been the authority on "TCKs"-- children of expatriates, missionaries, military personnel and others who live and work abroad. With a significantpart of their developmental years spent outside of their passport country, TCKs create their own, unique "third" cultures. Authors Pollock and Van Reken pioneered the TCK profile, which brought to light the emotional and psychological realities that come with the TCK journey, often resulting in feelings of rootlessness and grief but also in increased confidence and ability to interact with many cultures.

Through interviews and personal writings, this new, expanded edition explores the challenges and benefits that TCKs encounter, and also widens the net to discuss the experiences of CCKs, cross-cultural kids, who are immigrants, international adoptees or the children of biracial or bicultural parents. Highlighting dramatic changes brought about by instant communication and ever-evolving mobility patterns, Third Culture Kids reveals the hidden diversity in our world and challenges our traditional notions of identity and "home"-- and shows us how the TCK experience is becoming increasingly common and valuable.

Additionally, through reading this book our professional observations gained while teaching in four countries on three different continents have been taken on greater significance. The insight the authors share regarding issues hitherto acknowledged have contributed to a better understanding of the challenges that our students face as second- and third-generation Third Culture Kids (TCKs).

I highly recommend this book for all parents and teachers living abroad as well as TCKs who are wondering if their capacities as `cultural chameleons' means that there is something wrong with them.


Could help others too   September 11, 2000
Ronald Mayo (Lopez Island, WA USA)
35 out of 40 found this review helpful

I was a Third Culture Kid and I found this book helpfull in understanding who I am 40 years later. (I found the TCK phrase awkward but could think of none better.)

I also think this would be of use to people whose childhood was similar to the TCK's. Especially children who had little stability while growing up. Divorce, parential deaths, and especially children shunted off to boarding schools.

Many boarding schools provide a fairly good life and a substitute family, but when it's over, it's over. and then who am I?


This is me!   June 28, 2000
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

Really loved that book, the first time I felt understood in a very long time. I grew up in Peru and Spain, studied in the USA then moved to my "home country" Germany-(now I live in San Diego!). You really grasp every single feeling one experiences and the examples mentioned in the book could very well be me! .................... Saludos H.


FINALLY!   September 26, 1999
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

A must read for anyone who spent their childhood abroad. Finally, there are words to express what I already know. I highly recommend it.