What is "TCK" and "Hidden Immigrant"?

I received a comment on one of my posts and realised I have to explain what is meant by "TCK" and "Hidden Immigrant" as it is not very clear.

Third Culture Kid (TCK) or Adult Third Culture Kid (A-TCK) is a definition used to describe kids that have followed their parents in to another society. This is a very broad definition and covers a wide variety of people. The term was coined as TCK's have a tendency to react or think differently in situations than their peers or parents which has caused some problems. Ask any TCK parent and they will be able to tell you!

The book, "Third culture kids: Growing up among worlds" written by Pollock, D. C., & Van Reken, R. E.. that covers this topic can be found here:

In the same book the following model can be found:
Cultural Identity in Relationship to Surrounding Culture
PolVan Cultural Identity Model
The model describes the different cultural identities that a TCK may fluctuate between through his/her life.

I am a Missionary Kid (MK) which is a sub-group of TCK's. What is usually distinguishing to MK's is that they usually spend a longer time in their hosting country and will have to a larger degree integrated with the local culture. I have fluctuated between identifying myself as a "Foreigner" or, when we stayed long enough, "Adopted" while I lived in Turkey. Living now in Sweden I identify myself as a "Hidden Immigrant" but sometimes fall in to the "Mirror" category.


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