Third Culture Kids

There's a term for people who were raised outside their own "birth culture" and then brought back in later. They're called "Third Culture Kids". There's even a support group for them... although most of the members are younger than me and tend to be diplomat's kids.

One of the things most of us have in common is an adjustment problem. My sister and I discussed this once, that she and I both are in a perpetual state of culture shock. Some days it's worse than others.

I'm sure most folks have no idea what I mean.
Have you ever gone into a new area of the world you've never been to before. It's exciting isn't it? Seeing new things, different things. Eat new food, maybe even learn a new language?
Well, imagine you had to move there. Things you might take for granted as a tourist become very important. You need to find a way to fit in, adapt to the environment of the location, the customs, the dress codes, the slang, etc. A part of you never will quite fit into your new social circle, chances are many of them have never traveled far or had these experiences. In the same instance, you have not shared many of the same experiences they did growing up. At some point in your relationships and interactions with these people, you'll have a moment where you realize you're not in on the joke, or that something you said just went completely over their heads.

I feel this way quite frequently. It's part of being a third culture kid. There's really no culture that fits except your family's.

I feel my sister and I are exceptionally close because of this. We may have had different experiences in the locations we lived as children, but we lived there together. Now, after two decades back in the States (on and off), I don't think either one of us has ever really felt at home anywhere. I know I haven't truly.

I had a kid, got married, got a degree, made mistakes, made good friends that I adore...

The location that has put me the closest to feeling completely comfortable has been inside airports.

Is that sick?