I received the following e-mail:
“I am doing a thesis on Third Culture Korean kids (graduate paper) as a requirement for my Master in TESOL/Adult Literacy. I would love to be in touch with you in order to gather some information from you. NO PRESSURE. I am merely asking this as a favor since you seem to have a grasp on this subject. Thank you ever so kindly.”
Of course, I responded that I would help in any way I could.
I made nine (9) presentations in South Korea and am familiar with “third culture Kids.” These are young people who were born to parents of one nationality and whose parents have taken positions in other than their native country. The “kids” go to school in the country where the parents work. Hence they have roots in one culture (their parents’), have lived in another country/countries (2nd culture), and return to their parents’ culture feeling like outsiders—hence, the reference to “third culture kids.”
Peer influence to “fit in” is powerful with young people. Some young people bully and are mean to others who are not like them.These two factors often result in third culture kids not “fitting in” by not being accepted by young people when they return to their native culture.
Teaching third culture kids about the difference between external motivation (Level D) and internal motivation (Level C) may be the most empowering lessons they can learn.
