Simon Porter shares his experiences and the research that has been done on children changing schools. Read here about how frequent changes of school can have a negative impact on a child’s development and self-esteem. On the other hand, moving around the world and experiencing different cultures can be a real benefit in the long-run.
Simon Porter shares his experiences and the research that has been done on children changing schools. Read here about how frequent changes of school can have a negative impact on a child’s development and self-esteem. On the other hand, moving around the world and experiencing different cultures can be a real benefit in the long-run.
Children who have been brought up in a number of cultures other than their own are often referred to as Third Culture Kids (TCKs). They are, in many ways, the “global” children we aspire to have. They are at home in any situation, well-travelled, multi-lingual, able to interact with a wide variety of people from a wide-variety of backgrounds, adaptable and easily able to assimilate into new situations. However, it is often forgotten that the journey to becoming a TCK is a long and fraught one, filled with traumatic changes in school, country, friends and environment. Is it any wonder then that TCKs are more prone to suffer from depression, and the more frequently they change schools, the more likely this is? (Devens, 2005).
As a parent of three TCKs, I count five (5) schools in five (5) very different countries, a return to one country adding up to six (6) moves. I know that acclimatising to a new school and new country can take at least 6 months to a year as students go through a “process of deculturation and acculturation” (Kim, 2001). During that time your child is liable to be feel “alienation and perceived discrimination, homesickness, perceived hatred, fear related to unfamiliar surroundings, stress as result of culture shock, and guilt” (Sandhu & Asrabi, 1994).
How can we help our kids adapt to these changes, so at the end of the 6 to 12 month settling in period they are happy and functioning well in their school? Having survived this six times, here are a few things you can do to help your child;
Finally, remember the end product is worth it. As Anna, a TCK explains, “I am FREE like a bird. I can live where I like. Be with whom I like. Say what I want.” (Fail, Thompson, and Walker, 2004, p447).
All citations from Dewaele, J., & Oudenhoven, J. P. (2009). The effect of multilingualism/multiculturalism on personality: no gain without pain for Third Culture Kids? International Journal of Multilingualism,6(4), 443-459. doi:10.1080/14790710903039906
Simon Porter is Director of Learning at Compass international School Doha. He is an outstanding class practitioner and was appointed as the first Teacher Fellow with Nord Anglia University. In addition to teaching Physics in CISD Secondary School, Mr Porter also plays trumpet, taking an active part in the school music programme.
The blog highlights the transformative power of physical activity, emphasizing how it boosts energy, focus, and mental well-being. At Compass International School, promoting an active lifestyle is integral to fostering both physical and emotional health, which in turn enhances students' academic performance. The new initiative, Kickstart Kilometre, invites the school community to walk or jog together every Thursday morning, kickstarting their day with positive energy and improved focus. This approach aims to inspire a balanced lifestyle that helps manage stress and supports overall success in both academics and life.
