In an increasingly changing and globalized world, cultural experiences mix together, new forms of community can be created much easier than before. At the same time, it can still be difficult to navigate among the different cultures and contexts that shape us as individuals. Humans are social beings, our survival as a species depended on our ability to bond with others. What happens when you don't really feel fully at home anywhere?
It is always interesting for me to reflect on cultural complexities (which can include so many different categories and factors - everything from ethnic background, language, religion, periods spent in other countries, intercultural close relationships, migration experiences, the list goes on!)
There are different type of cross-cultural experiences. Researcher Ruth Van Reken in her seminal book Third Culture Kids: Growing up Among Worlds has described the various groups that can be classified as CCKs. The below diagram beautifully summarises this model. The image is credited to Chameleon Coaching and Inbetweenish Podcast.
One can also occupy several of the places from the diagram, adding to the complexity of the intercultural experience. These experiences inevitably involve questions of identity and belonging: who am I? Where is my place in the world?
At times, there is a sense of cognitive dissonance - a feeling of discomfort that occurs when two (or more) conflicting experiences or attitudes take place at the same time.
CCKs may experience a state of 'NEITHER, NOR' - a feeling that one does not fit anywhere, a possible sense of detachment or loneliness. Marginalisation in various forms can affect a person's psychological health negatively.
Conversely, there may be a 'BOTH, AND' - mindset. One might develop an ability to move between cultures, languages, contexts, and an ability to adapt to different situations.
It is certainly possible to construct one's own identity that includes all 'parts' of one's self. It can be a challenging process that changes throughout the lifespan, where some people can sometimes struggle with feeling authentic, or experience a feeling of rootlessness and lack of belonging.
Sometimes CCKs may struggle with which side of oneself should take the lead around important life choices - relationships, education, career. Navigating multiple cultural contexts can be tricky, and may lead to conflicts in values, both within the individual themselves but also with their family or society of origin.
There are of course a lot of benefits and strengths that can result from this type of experience, not least adaptability, cultural richness, sensitivity and competence.
For me, some of the aspects of this in-between-ness include:
1. SWENGLISH and sometimes a total inability to find the words in all the languages I usually say I speak fluently? 👀
2. Being able to relate to others with an 'immigrant background' even if it involves completely different cultures
3. After longer periods abroad - good friendships in many places, and sadness at not being able to have physical proximity to them.
4. A feeling of rootlessness
5. A feeling of being able to fit in anywhere - but also self-doubt if that's really the case.
I'm also curious about how others experience this, or if it's a new concept for you - what you think about it!
In an increasingly globalized world where migration experiences and intercultural encounters take place more and more often, phenomena such as Cross-Cultural Kids may begin to become the norm, rather than the exception. Our world is mixing and matching culturally to a greater degree than ever before. Therefore, it is useful to become aware of this type of life experience that many people carry.
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