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A great deal of discussion about preparation for living abroad winds its way through academic halls and the corridors of office buildings. It’s going to be tough learning to adjust to a new land, a new home with all its accompanying native rules, regulations, cultures and customs. It will be especially difficult for children accompanying parents on an overseas journey. And, if these children are considerably young, they most likely will become part of what is termed as “Third Culture Kids,” or "TCK".
Children living abroad have a tendency to blend the new with what they already know. Additionally, as parents attempt to keep children living abroad not only well adjusted, but well versed in their own native culture, children are impressionable beings that may develop their own blend of assimilated culture taking bits and pieces from both, blending these together forming sort of a hybrid-like culture of their own. Speech patterns, the cadence, tone and even a blend of word usage from differing languages may invade a child’s psyche becoming a defining part of their personality. Most parents want their children to retain as much of the home country as possible. An important method to do this is planning as many “holiday” visits back home as is possible or can be afforded. Some cutting edge international companies that place families at foreign postings offer valuable assistance obtaining visits home either through compensation packages, corporate transportation means or other methods to allow for homeland visits that go a long way toward keeping a living memory within the child’s mind. These home visits help to not only keep children associated with the family and friends left behind when living in a foreign country, but do go a long way toward easing the re-entry process when the time arrives for a permanent move back home. Although experts state maintaining long distance relationships through email and other communication methods is important, nothing can replace a face-to-face with grandma or grandpa or that warm, embracing hug every child carries with them when going back overseas. Visits to familiar locations such as playgrounds, amusement parks, museums, restaurants and other favorite haunts keeps children connected to their homeland. These homeland visits are important on a regular cycle especially if the family plans to live away from home for a considerable time. Without these annual visits, familiarity about home wanes in the memory of children growing up in a third-culture way making their re-entry that more difficult.
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