Our homes are not defined by geography or one particular location, but by memories, events, people and places that span the globe – Marilyn Gardner 

This article will discuss: 

• Who are Third-Culture individuals (TCIs)? 
• Identity of TCIs 
• TCIs and Creativity 

Who are Third-Culture Individuals?

Also known as“global nomads”, third-culture individuals (TCIs) are “people who spend majority of their lives living in places outside their heritage culture” [1]. The first culture is that of their parents’, the second is that of the current host country, and the third is the expatriate community they are exposed to. From a young age, they are exposed to a variety of different cultures which include ways of thinking and lifestyles[1]. As you might have observed around you, third-culture individuals are becoming more common as people seek new opportunities indifferent countries. Commonly, people become TCIs because of their parents’ job, such as military service or business ventures[1]. 

Identity ofTCIs

The identity ofTCIs is definitely of interest. After all, many still assume that most people are raised by one culture and identify with it. But how is it for TCIs, who have been exposed to a wide range of cultures? Is it possible to identify strongly with all their cultures? 

To preface this, TCIs have different experiences with culture from each other, and may not relate to what is described here :) It’s also why studying TCIs can be challenging! 

TCIs often identify with their cultures, but do not feel a strong sense of connection to them [2]. Many TCIs experience“cultural homelessness” especially if they spent most of their adolescent years moving countries, or if they’re exposed to very different cultures. Cultural homelessness is one’s feeling of not belonging to a single cultural group [5].TCIs, however, usually find pride in their “international” identity as it brings them a broad knowledge of different cultures, and this helps them in navigating through novel cultures [2].  

Parents of TCIs usually help them learn about their heritage culture indirectly, such as through calls with distant family and friends, speaking the language at home, or brief visits[1]. However, since they are not directly exposed to that culture, TCIs may experience reverse culture shock when they go “home”as it is supposedly their home, but it may not really feel that way[3]. This is due to the discrepancy between their brief indirect knowledge about their“home” country, and the reality of it. Similar to people adjusting to living abroad, this experience can come with confusion, reverse homesickness, boredom, and isolation[3]. 

TCIs and creativity ;) 

It is noted that many creative individuals have produced some of their most notable works during their time abroad. For example, Paul Gaugin and his famous works created in Tahiti, and Vincent van Gogh created some of his most famous ones in France.Maybe you have noticed it in yourself too- have you ever spent a long time abroad and felt more creative? 

People adjusting to the new culture of the host country develop a new perspective in addition to their original one from their culture. They develop a way of thinking called “integrative complexity” – a willingness and ability to acknowledge and consider different viewpoints on the same issue [1]. This is because some viewpoints common in their original culture may be at odds with those of the host culture[1]. Students or workers living abroad learn about this through daily interactions with locals and simply observing and participating in daily activities in the new place. As they get exposed to new viewpoints more regularly, they learn to accept and sometimes even appreciate them. While the person who only familiarizes themselves with one culture are exposed to a limited set of viewpoints, those who are multicultural acknowledge many others, which makes them appreciate differences[1]. This acknowledgement and appreciation of difference is highly related to creativity– the mental process involved in generating new ideas or concepts.    

 For empirical evidence of this, a research study primed participants to think about adapting to life in another culture or observing another culture[4]. They were then asked to draw an alien creature. Objective judges then judged the drawings based on creative features. The results showed that indeed, those who thought about adjusting to a new culture drew aliens judged to be more creative than those who simply observed the new culture. 

Bibliography

1. Heine, S. J. (2020). Cultural     Psychology (Fourth). W. W. Norton & Company.
2. Hoersting, R. C., & Jenkins, S. R. (2011).     No place to call home: Cultural homelessness, self-esteem and     cross-cultural identities. International Journal of Intercultural     Relations, 35(1),     17–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2010.11.005
3. Reverse Culture Shock // Study Abroad //     Marquette University.     (n.d.). https://www.marquette.edu/study-abroad/reverse-culture-shock.php
4. Maddux, W. W., & Galinsky, A. D. (2009).     Cultural borders and mental barriers: The relationship between living     abroad and creativity. Journal of Personality and Social     Psychology, 96(5), 1047–1061. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014861
5. Vivero, V. N., & Jenkins, S. R. (1999).     Existential hazards of the multicultural individual: Defining and     understanding “cultural homelessness.” Cultural Diversity and     Ethnic Minority Psychology, 5(1),     6–26. https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.5.1.6

Picturereference:

https://benheine.com/11-tips-become-creative-person/

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