How to Help Your Third-Culture Child Thrive in a New Country
Where do you call home? For over 230 million expats worldwide, the answer isn’t always simple. As global connectivity continues to shape how we work and live, international relocations have become increasingly common. Many of us now have the freedom to choose where we call home, driven by career opportunities, lifestyle improvements, and a sense of adventure.
For families, this move represents an exciting new chapter. But alongside the opportunities, relocation brings challenges: adjusting to new cultures, forming new routines, and building connections. Children, often referred to as third culture kids, take on this journey alongside their parents, navigating a world that doesn’t come with a rulebook for belonging.
Growing Up Between Worlds
The concept of third culture kids has been studied since the 1950s, when researchers observed that children of expatriates blend elements of their parents’ culture with the culture of their host country, forming a unique third culture. David Pollock, a pioneering researcher, defines a third culture kid as “a person who has spent a significant part of their developmental years outside their parents' culture. The third culture kid frequently builds relationships with all cultures while not having full ownership of any.”
As an adult third culture kid myself, I see this play out in my own life, woven from a childhood in a small town in southern England and teenage years immersed in the vibrant culture of Grenada. Returning to the UK, I experienced reverse culture shock, feeling increasingly un-British and longing for connection with others who understood that home could be a fluid concept, shaped by relationships and experiences rather than geography.
For many third culture kids, home is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Their sense of belonging is often strongest among others who share a similar experience, people who understand what it means to leave behind places, people, and familiar worlds.
Helping Them Adjust
At Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi, over 90% of our student population has experienced relocation. Every child here is navigating some part of the transition, rebuilding their sense of belonging in a new culture. Research highlights that children over the age of seven are particularly vulnerable to the emotional impact of relocation. They may experience grief for their previous home, friendships, and routines, often masking their struggles as they adjust to a new chapter.
Signs that a child may be struggling can include withdrawal or reluctance to make new friends, difficulty adjusting to school routines, increased irritability, sadness or anxiety, and longing for their previous home or resistance to embracing the new one.
With the right support, both at home and at school, this transition can be softened. Open conversations, reassurance, and patience help children process their emotions. Acknowledging their challenges before offering encouragement makes them feel heard and valued, an important step in raising resilient, confident individuals.
Turning Challenges into Strengths
The good news? Research shows that third culture kids are highly adaptable, culturally aware, and globally minded. Research shows that, as adults, they excel in diplomacy, business, education, and international development, thriving in roles that require bridging cultural gaps. Their unique experiences make them highly sought after in an increasingly global world.
So, where do you call home? For a third culture kid, the answer might not be a single place, but rather a collection of experiences, relationships, and memories that shape their identity in extraordinary ways.
At Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi, we help children settle into their new school, form lasting friendships, and build a strong sense of belonging.
If you’re looking for a school where your child will feel at home, get in touch with us today.
Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi was proud to host the SEAMEI Teaching & Learning Conference 2025, welcoming over 200 international teachers and leaders from Nord Anglia Education schools across the region.
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