Making sense of the world around us means we need to understand and build up our international identity. We can do this by defining our terms, meanings, and references that we use. For years, finding accurate and commonly agreed upon language to discuss matters related to the growing phenomenon of globally mobile families has been a challenge.

We will highlight the cultural nuances of some of the terms we use and show how perceiving the world through diverse, plurilingual lenses can lead to misunderstandings. How can we find our tribe if the terms we use are misleading? From a broader international perspective we will then zoom in to emphasize the importance of maintaining family languages which are vital to maintain our international and increasingly global identity. What are the language choices within the family, and how can we communicate across geographical, cultural and generational borders in a way that instead of separating us, binds us together?

We will consider how we can more clearly define our terms with mutually agreed upon definitions so that the words won't get in the way.

It has long been understood that third culture kids develop invisible skills in their multicultural habitats. When TCKs become adults they face the challenge of connecting those invisible skills to a visible occupation. This becomes their journeying reality and each journey is unique. While one TCK may end up a diplomat, another may live on a farm in Germany milking goats and living off the land. Both have found their niche.

In this session, we will listen to a panel of adult third culture kids as they recount how they found meaningful jobs and vocations that connected their past to their present. The three panelists and facilitator represent four distinct disciplines – Education, Humanitarian Aid, Communications, and Health Care. While the session will begin with our panelists responding to specific questions, we will leave time for participants to both ask and respond to questions.