Fun & Famous

GROWN UP ABROAD?

Then you will recognize these 8 things

A ‘Third culture kid’ is the term often associated with it. Children who grow up abroad. Often one of the two or maybe even both parents work for a company for which you are being sent abroad. In my case, it was my father, who worked for Foreign Affairs, but you often hear it from people with parents who work for Shell, for example. Are you also a member of the TCK Club? Then you will surely recognize these eight situations.

You hate the question: ‘Where are you from?’

Shall I explain how that goes at my home? I always say the Netherlands, because I am just very Dutch. But as soon as people want to hear a specific place, it gets a bit trickier. Uh yes, born in London and then moved to another country every few years and only moved to the Netherlands when I was eighteen, so I don't come from a specific city or village. And then the standard question follows: where have you lived then? Why? What was the best part? I understand the interest, but sometimes (read: often) you just really don't feel like explaining all that.

And also the question: ‘Wasn't it difficult?’

Well, no. At least, not in my case, but I can imagine that there are children who do find it difficult. If you suddenly have to move from your familiar environment to the other side of the world at fifteen (just an example), I understand that it can be tough. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. You get to see the most beautiful places, meet the nicest people, and are introduced to other cultures from a young age... I only see positives, really.

You are a food snob

You always try the local delicacies of the country where you live. Escargots? Fine, why not. Haggis? Okay. Vegemite? If Australians like it, then you have to try it. You have tried not only the best but also the weirdest local dishes. And you also know that Japanese people eat sushi very differently than we do in the West.

“But I wouldn’t change it for the world”

You have a lot of places where you can stay for free

THIS is great. Saves you a ton of money. Of course, a hotel or Airbnb is really nice, but think of all the beautiful things you can do with the money if you can just sleep for free on a friend's couch. Winning!

You are probably celebrating your ten-year Facebook anniversary this year if not more

Or at least something around ten. I know for sure that I just hit my ten-year Facebook anniversary. I once registered at a random college in Texas through someone, because back then you couldn't just create an account. It's unbelievable how much has changed with Facebook in the last ten years. Back then, private messages didn't exist, so it was completely normal to leave mega-long messages on your friends' timelines.

You always have cool stories

Yes, you always have the haters who think you are showing off, but why shouldn't you share your fun experiences? Isn't it pretty cool that I can say I once met Hillary Clinton if she might become president of America? Or not?

You were raised bilingual or maybe even trilingual

This is great. Often you go to an English-speaking school because there are almost always international or American schools, but you are also required to learn the language of the country you live in. Plus: you often speak your mother tongue with your family at home. Looks great on that CV of yours, I promise.

You find out that the term ‘home’ is the people and not a specific place

Of course, there had to be a cliché in here (sorry). But really, guys, ‘home is where the heart is’ and that ‘heart’, those are the people.