Here at Denizen, we were curious about the lives of the modern Third Culture Kid. We wanted to learn more about who they were, how often they’d moved, and how they had aged. In August, we conducted an informal online survey of more than 200 Third Culture Kids. The majority of respondents were female, with the average age being 29.
The typical Third Culture Kid has moved at least once by their 5th birthday, and will move at least four times in their life. They speak at least two languages and have a 4-year college-degree. One in ten speak four languages. Three in ten have a Master’s Degree.
Roughly half are in a relationship. Roughly half are not. The majority of those in a relationship have been dating someone for at least five years. Sixty percent want to raise their kids as TCKs. Ten percent don’t want kids.
But most interestingly, they have no plans on sticking around. When asked if they would stay in their current city two years from now, seventy percent of respondents said no or not sure. When we asked about five years from now, the number jumped to 92 percent.
And what do they most frequently say when asked “Where are you from?”
The response: “It’s complicated.”
Infographic for Denizen by Elaina Natario
Elaina Natario is the art director and a contributing illustrator of Denizen. Though not a TCK, she loves reading about (and illustrating) her peers’ cultural experiences. Elaina earned her BA in Graphic Design in 2010 from Simmons College, and has interned at the Boston Globe and Boston Magazine. She currently resides in Boston, designing, painting, and cooking yummy recipes! See more of Elaina’s work on her website. We are a community effort and are rewarded when you 'like,' comment or share our essays. If you enjoyed this piece, please take a moment to 'like' or share.
Denizen 
Interesting. I can relate to all the stats except wanting to raise my kids as TCKs. I think many TCKs have a longing to settle down in one place. Travel, yes. Move every 2 years again? No thanks.
LikeLike
oh wow! i stumbled into this page by accident, posted by one of the parents of International School of Paris in the parents’ website. got 3 sons; been moving every 3-5 years, have lived in 4 countries now. frankly, going back to our home country is more like a holiday destination than going “home”. i hope this site will help in keeping our “identities” one way or the other
LikeLike
What is “home?” That’s a question I’ve been wondering for a long time.
Glad to see so many other TCKs w similar experiences. I live in San Francisco, CA, USA now. I’m 31 and SF is my 8th city after living on four different continents. If there are other TCKs nearby that want to meet up, I’d love to do so!
Please email me: dibull@gmail.com
LikeLike
I’d love to see this survey over the next 10 years! It would be inter4sting to see if there are any changes. Can it be done?
LikeLike
It would be interesting to see a more formal study done, with a valid sampling. I’m an 18-year veteran expat (an American in Malaysia, Qatar, and soon Vietnam) with two TCK daughters who are now in their upper 20s.
LikeLike
My Husband an I grew up as TCK’s. We met at a boarding school in Singapore when we were 15 yrs. old. At age 28 my husband got a job in Southern California and we have lived happily in the same home for 39 years. Both of us agree that we had a very unusual and exciting childhood. We also agree that we would not wish that excitement on our children.
LikeLike
Interesting article. I consider myself a third culture adult. I have lived more than 26 years outside the Netherlands. Lived in Uganda, England, South Africa and the Netherlands. I married a TCK and we have 3 children all born outside the Netherlands. Where is home? Uganda. Europe just isn’t home anymore.
As a missionary & follower of Jesus the concept that heaven is our home and being a citizen of heaven has become more and more meaningful.
LikeLike
Sounds about right. Love the infograph! It would be even stronger with expanding the survey base and being more gender balanced. Please continue the research!
LikeLike
About 45 of the 65 years I have lived on this planet “home” is not very relevant. I grew up as a diplomatic kid on 3 continents and have lived in Thailand for nearly 37 yrs. my TCK wife also identifies with the interesting article. Our 3 sons are married and 2 have married cross culturally. We all have the “lets get moving some place!” Feeling frequently. Passports are just documents needed for officials but don’t scratch where we are from, the wide community of this wonderful world God made. I would not trade any of my experiences. Going to the US is usually a feeling of visiting and not returning “home”.
LikeLike