There are children who grow up with a foot in more than one country — children who collect passport stamps, iconic sites and languages the way others collect pokemon cards. They are called Third Culture Kids — children raised outside their parents’ culture, who are raised in a “third” culture of which is neither one nor the other. Their lives may be full of adventure, but also unique challenges and increased complexity compared to their stay at home peers. And like any good journey, preparation helps.

---

What Is a Third Culture Kid?

A Third Culture Kid (TCK) usually:

• Has parents from Country A,

• Spends formative years in Country B,

• And finally develops a sense of identity from a blend of both worlds – the ‘third’ culture.

They are the four-year-old who says “Bonjour!” to the dog.
The seven-year-old who switches languages depending on who enters the room.
The teenager who answers, “Where are you from?” with a very long pause.

TCKs are adaptable, curious, and brave — but they face their own challenges, especially when parents are learning to navigate unfamiliar systems at the same time.

---

The Benefits — Because There Are Many

Living overseas can give children things that cannot be taught in a classroom:

Cultural Competence

Exposure to multiple languages, customs and ways of thinking increases empathy. TCKs learn early that there are many correct ways to do the same thing.

Cognitive Flexibility

They are excellent problem-solvers. Moving countries teaches adaptability and confidence — skills that are notoriously hard to teach later.

Resilience

New schools, new food, new climate, new friends… children who overcome these hurdles discover that unfamiliar is not the same as unsafe.

 Global Connection

Their friends may be scattered across continents — and in a world that thrives on international cooperation, this is a superpower.  Moving abroad can be one of the greatest gifts a parent offers — expanding a child’s future possibilities exponentially.

But before we pack the bags and declare it “character building,” we must acknowledge the challenges and potential downside.

---

The Challenges — that can be prepared for

Identity Confusion

When everyone asks, “Where are you from?” and the correct answer is “It depends…”. Children can feel like they belong everywhere — and nowhere.

Frequent Goodbyes

Some TCKs say more farewells before 10 years old than many adults do in a lifetime.

Education Systems — A Rubik’s Cube for Parents

School curriculum and requirements rarely align neatly country to country. A smooth transition often requires careful planning (and the patience of a saint).

Mental Health Considerations

Isolation is possible even in a busy international city. Parents must keep a close eye on stress, sleep, anxiety — and screen time. Helping kids put words on emotions is especially important in small children.

Health Risks

Different countries have different vaccinations schedules, infectious disease risks, antibiotic resistant germs, food and water safety issues. Children may need multiple vaccines to protect them before they go. Check here for tips on preparing for vaccinations, and increased health risks in children compared to adults.

As always good health planning is essential

---

Practical Tips 

 

Schooling and Language

• Keep records and reports of  previous learning to ensure it is recognised

• Maintain the home language — children lose language fluency if they don’t have contant access to it.

• Find schools with counsellors familiar with expat transitions

Help Them Hold Onto Their Roots

Cultural rituals — favourite meals, stories from home, celebrating familiar holidays — all provide continuity, especially if they come back to Australia for high school.  Small things matter: Violet Crumble bars and Vegemite in Indonesia,  Australia Day in Vietnam, Grandma reading bedtime stories via video call or recordings.

Help them build Friendships Early

Enrol them in local sports, music programs, scouts or girl guides. Connection is protective medicine.

Help them learn How to Be New

TCKs are the “new kid.” more often than usual.  Make it a skill. Role-play introductions. Build scripts they can rely on.

Help them process the move. The downloadable kids activity book The Travelling Well Fun Book is designed to help raise some of the issues of moving to another country, and helps you raise issues like rabies – especially important for Australian children.

Safety & Health Essentials

Travel is wonderful… illness, less so. Think about

• Ensure routine childhood vaccines are up to date

• Check insurance cover

• Learn where the nearest reputable medical facility is, hours of opening, how to get there at different times of day.

• Carry copies of medical and vaccination records, glasses prescription

• Check any workers that your children will be exposed to are well (eg screened for TB)

• Pack a well stocked medical kit including thermometer

 Don’t Forget the Parents

Expats often work harder than they realise — without family backup. Make adult friends too. Sleep. Take breaks. Your wellbeing directly affects theirs.

---

Culture Shock — It Happens to Children Too

Checkout Travelling Well for tips on how to adjust

---

A Final Word of Encouragement

If you are taking young children overseas — good on you. Truly.

Yes, there will be complicated paperwork, meltdowns in multiple languages, and at least one eye-watering school fee invoice.

But there will also be:

• New friendships forged around the world

• Skills gained without textbooks

• A child who is likely to be more open minded,  sees difference as interesting — not frightening, and has more cross-cultural understanding … and given the world today …what a gift that is.

• Great experiences as a family and memories that will last a lifetime