How to (Mentally) Survive as an International Student or Third Culture Kid.
Take it from someone who’s done it for 19 years.
My father worked as a diplomat which meant my sister and I were subject to new schools, and new friends, every three years or so.
Although it’s not something that we reflect on as we grow older, we can’t deny that it shaped our entire personality.
It started when I was just three. So I’ve gathered some tips along the way:
1. You can never be prepared.
Yes sure, you can pack your bags full of winter clothes or summer shirts. But you can never prepare yourself for the experience you’ll have.
I moved between 10 different schools and each time, I’d prepare a new personality for the next one. I was basing it on trial and error.
Since x didn’t work out here, I’ll just delete it from my character in the next place.
I wish that’s how it worked. Characters give way, and masks don’t stay on too long. That brings me to the next point.
2. Remain authentic
When your prepared personality goes to the test, you’ll soon find out why it never works out. You’ll attract the wrong crowd — people who you’d never pick as friends. And it’ll be awkward getting out of that one — yikes.
You’re also likely to develop an imposter syndrome at an early age.
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Being yourself is the best way to attract long, genuine friendships along the way. It may take some time, but it’s better than losing your footing and having to start all over.
3. Join clubs and societies
Don’t get too busy trying to fit in. Enjoy what the school has to offer. Try everything and regret nothing. You never know what you’ll end up finding. Or who!
Most of my teachers and professors ended up doing their masters in things they picked up as a hobby in college.
4. Terrorize English
If you are not fluent in English and it’s bothering you, here are a few tips.
As an English teacher, one of the major things that I must teach students before anything — is confidence.
Most students are great at English, they are just too shy to speak too much, lest they be made fun of.
But what I say is — don’t be terrorized of English, rather terrorize English. Speak how you know, and you’ll learn along the way. Don’t forget it’s not your native tongue!
Grab some tutorials on grammar online — but accents should not be stressed.
Accents are beautiful and feel like you are carrying a part of your home country with you.
Read the extremely well-researched work by Gauri Viswanathan that delves into how English was used as a “Mask of Conquest”. You’ll never feel linguistically inadequate again.
That was my 2 cents.
Let me know if you have any other questions for me!
Happy Studying!
