Episode 23: Growing Up in a Mix of Cultures with Jessi Vance
We all know life overseas can be tough for adults, but think about how much more difficult it must be for the kids! They are going through a lot of transition, too, but aren't always able to process all the change on their own. We may wonder what they are experiencing and how we can help them through it. On this episode, we chat with Jessi Vance, who grew up as a TCK (third culture kid). She now runs a non-profit which works with TCKs to create spaces so they can build relationships with their peers. Join us as we discuss the challenges TCKs face and ways to support them as they grow up in a mixture of cultures.
You can follow Jessi on Instagram.Be sure to check out her global community of third culture kids -- KaleidoscopeYou can also find them here on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Questions we asked Jessi in this episode:Introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your work.Is everyone who comes out to your events TCKs also?As you reflect on your life as a TCK, and now as a TCK adult and working with so many TCKs overseas, what would you say are some of the issues that TCKs face and how can parents help through those issues?When you were younger, - 10,11,12 - did you think, "This culture is different?” or where you just mixed up? Did you not even come to self-realization about all that was going on? How did you process being young and raised overseas?When you look back at those picture moments in your life that were really foundational in you realizing you were different, was anyone talking to you about it? Was there anything your parents were doing or not doing that would have helped?What would you say the 2 ndand 3 rdchallenges are?What would you recommend as a way to process that grief with your children? How do we handle it healthily and what are some things that we do unhealthily?Is there anything else to worry about?What do you think was the best thing about being a TCK?
Here are some words pulled from the episode we found to be very quote-worthy:
A special thanks to our intern, Emily, who summarizes the episodes, transcribes the questions asked during the conversation, and finds all the quote-worthy moments. She's amazing!