I am a TCK and an Expat

TCK (Third Culture Kid): A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture may be assimilated into the TCK’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background. (read more…)

Ex-Pat: An expatriate (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person’s upbringing. The word comes from the Latin terms ex (“out of”) and patria (“country, fatherland”). (read more…)
I was born and raised in Oxford, England from 1982-1984.
I went to primary school in Norfolk, England in the early nineties.
 Moved back to England with my husband and sons in Brighton from 2011 – 2012.
I lived in Stuttgart, Germany in 1995 – 1998 and attend 7th & 8th grade at Patch American  HS.
This photo was taken on my birthday with my friends before we went on a shopping trip. 
I lived in Naples, Italy in the 90’s for 4th-6th grade and again for 9th-11th grade.
This group photo was taken at our house with our church family. 
In 2002 I spent the entire summer in Australia for a church campaign group from my University
and on a lone backpacking trip up the coast from Sydney to Port Douglas.  
The summer of 2004 my husband and I spent in Bangkok, Thailand for a ‘Let’s Start Talking’ campaign to teach english.
I returned to Thailand and Cambodia in 2006 for the Asian Mission Conference.  
We lived on Oahu, Hawaii from 2007 – 2010
I worked as a fashion photographer, hairstylist, and airbrush makeup artist. 
In December 2012 we moved to Bath, England and currently live here.
Took this photo on a timer during our first snowfall of 2013.
  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/01079473916722620673 Erika @ CHiMERiKAL.com

    Thanks for explaining the difference!

    Wow, what a life!!!!! You’ve handled it all so well, which is great! I used to always be friendly with people and keep friends in different parts of the world, but something happened when I hit my 20s and I started feeling “guilty” for not being a “better” friend (ie: more stable, in one place, etc). I’m looking forward to reading some more of your posts about the subject, but this was a fun look into your past. :)