Glossary for Among Worlds

Key Terms:

Third Culture: This term was coined by sociologists Drs. John and Ruth Hill Useem in the 1950s who studied Americans living and working abroad in India. They define the first culture as the home culture from which the adults came (for example, the US). The second culture is the host culture (for example, India). The third culture is the specific culture of the expatriate community in the host country (in this example, a community that is neither fully American nor fully Indian, and usually includes expats from a variety of other countries). Please note that “Third Culture” and “Third World” are not synonymous terms; the “Third Culture” experience can occur anywhere on the planet.

TCK: Third Culture Kid. This term was coined by Dr. Ruth Hill Useem in the 1960s. During her studies of expats, she realized that children who spend part or all of their formative years in a third culture environment were different from children raised solely in their passport country. Typically, TCKs are considered to be individuals up to 18 years of age.

ATCK: Adult Third Culture Kid. These are people who are now adults and who grew up as TCKs. Typically, these are people 18+ years old; however, college-aged individuals are sometimes referred to as TCKs.

Other Definitions:

Brat: This term generally refers to the son or daughter of a career military person. One possible source is that it comes from B.R.A.T. or British Regiment Attached Traveler. Use of the term has been expanded to include other children who accompany their parents’, such as “business brats”.

Corporate kid: Also know as a business brat. This refers to the child of a business employee or executive who is living or has lived overseas in a foreign culture.

Dip kid: Short for “diplomat’s kid.”

Global Nomad: This phrase was coined by Norma McCaig in 1996 and is defined as “someone who has lived abroad as a child because of a parent's career choice.” There is some debate as to whether a TCK and a Global Nomad have the same definition; however, these terms are often used interchangeably. An Adult Nomad is someone who is now an adult and who grew up as global nomads.

Global Soul: This comes from the title of a book by Pico Iyer, an ATCK and ethnic Indian who grew up in England and the US. He defines a global soul as “anyone born in several cultures”. As an adult, he splits his time between California and Japan.

MK: Short for “missionary kid.”

Mish kid: Alternative nickname for “missionary kid.”

PK: Short for “preacher’s kid.”

TC Adult: Third Culture Adult. This term is sometimes used to describe people who lived in their passport country as children, but then began traveling, living and/or working overseas extensively as adults.

TCP: Third Culture Person. This term is sometimes used to describe people who lived overseas as children.