Books, videos, and websites for Third Culture Kids
This practical older book covers the re-entry process starting on the field. It talks about how to prepare and leave well, as well as how to adjust back in North America. It also offers lots of ideas on smoothing the transition for adults and children. The focus of this book seems to be more on the adult missionary and written for the parents of MKs.
The only book of its kind, this focuses, as the title suggests on preparing TCKs for the transition to university/college after high school graduation. Writing primarily to university-bound TCKs, the author devotes approximately half the book to an in-depth look at transition process using Dave Pollock’s Transition model, as well as some typical TCK challenges (e.g. relationships, identity, etc.). The second half of the book covers practical matters related to life on campus, financial and physical health, etc. plus a chapter on personality differences based on the Myers-Briggs Temperament Inventory. The final chapter is for parents, addressing how to prepare and support their college-bound kids.
This compilation of articles on various MK issues is a great resource. It covers developmental issues that MKs face a various ages, educational issues (including preparation for college), parenting, and MK care. This is book gives one of the best overviews of MK issues, and saves you looking for all the articles yourself.
TCKs say many goodbyes in their growing up years as most of them move back and forth between several places. Even if they stay in one place, the expat community around them is constantly moving and they say goodbye to friends all the time. In these interviews, TCKs reflect on what they miss most about the places they have left and how all the goodbyes have affected them. They were asked:
TCKs –MKs in particular– can have mixed experiences in US American churches, both in visiting when their families are fundraising in churches, and when they try to find a church home when they’re older. In these interviews TCKs are asked:
Based on a survey and interviews of over 300 TCKs, this book describes the impact of living overseas during childhood and/or adolescence. The description of overseas life, reentry into the U.S., and the long-term effects of their experiences will resonate with older TCKs and can help parents better understand their children, especially their teens and young adults. The author grew up in overseas with her parents who were in the Foreign Service (Diplomatic Corp).