Finding a place for third culture kids in culture: A preliminary study exploring negative and positive impacts on their experiences living in a Muslim country during the COVID-19 pandemic
List of Authors
  • Bibi Noraini Mohd Yusuf , Muhamad Fitri Jamaludin

Keyword
  • COVID-19, Third Culture Kids, Communications Barrier and Cultural Adjustment

Abstract
  • Third culture is basically a new set of cultures developed by an individual, being a child or an adult, who goes abroad outside of his/her country of domicile. This terminology emerges when the individual confronts a new host country’s secondary culture as against the first culture of the home country, with the third culture referring to the fusion of these two distinct cultures. Adjustment process becomes even more challenging during the present COVID-19 pandemic since a significant number of their daily activities are restricted owing to the movement restriction orders (MCOs) imposed nationwide. The MCOs will definitely impede movement and their interaction process with the local community. Third Culture Kid (TCK) denotes a child who grows up in a culture distinct from the one their parents grew up in, and in the process experiences a wide array of challenges, barriers, and impediments while assimilating in the host country. Among the challenges they face, include communication and general barriers, such as food, weather, transportation system, clothing, and lifestyles that are different from their home country. This research was conducted to obtain preliminary data on both positive and negative impacts of life experiences among TCKs in Muslim country. Primary Objectives of this research are (1) To study why TCKs come to Malaysia and (2) To explore what are the positive and negative impacts on their life experiences when living in Malaysia? A qualitative approach utilising in-depth online interviews with 5 children-respondents from different countries and with varied intercultural experiences was employed in order to explore the above objectives. Data extracted were analysed using Atlas.ti software. The results of the study show that the main reason why TCKs come to Malaysia has been mainly due to the need to accompany their parents who are pursuing further studies in Malaysia and the sub-theme of the factors that their parents choose Malaysia as a destination to continue their studies are (a) Common culture with the home country, (b) Low cost of living, and (c) Exploring a new culture. Additionally, the results suggest that the positive impacts on their life experiences while in Malaysia are (a) Learning a new language and (b) Meeting new people and friends within the new cultural norms. The negative impacts are (a) Communications barrier and (b) Feeling of Homesickness. This study provides contributions to the literature review on this topic and preliminary information to parents who might wish to bring along their children in pursuing studies abroad in the future.

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