The Foreign Service Journal, December 2022

80 DECEMBER 2022 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT abroad; I just moved from [insert coun- try here]” or “I was born in the U.S., but have lived in many countries.” Preparing answers to these simple but complex questions can open the conversation up for additional follow- up questions and can also help create context for non-TCKs to appreciate the complexity of the “where are you from” question. If the conversation continues, third culture kid teens should be ready to ask questions that encourage others to elaborate on their background. Perhaps the TCKs will have the most “exotic” backgrounds in terms of countries lived, languages spoken, and cultures experienced, but they need to exercise the same level of curiosity and respect for others’ stories as well. TCKs can also intentionally seek out safe spaces. In their article, “Where Are You From? Raising Awareness of Third Culture Students in Higher Education, ” published on the University of Edin- burgh Teaching Matters blog, Dr. Laura Cariola and Tamara Lai suggest that TCKs network with students with simi- lar multicultural experiences who value and appreciate diversity. Finding a community of others with a similar upbringing can provide space to tell stories and relate without fearing that they are “bragging” or being misun- derstood by monocultural peers. Recommend that your TCK research what student organizations and clubs are active on campus that may focus on multicultural students’ experiences and skills. Universities such as Lewis and Clark in Portland and Texas A&M have social clubs specifically for TCK students. MuKappa International is a network of TCK student clubs at several Christian faith-based institutions. Even though your TCK may not want to be involved with these communities, it’s helpful to know that they exist and can provide support. High school counselors and teen mentors can encourage TCK teens to introduce themselves to their resident advisers, counseling staff, and future roommates before starting the aca- demic semester. These steps will help them develop a community and a practice for reaching out to people who can help when university life seems overwhelming.