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Third Culture Kids
A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. Such persons might come from
- Missionary families
- Corporate families
- Overseas assignment, military families
The TCK builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background.
With the increasing globalization of the workforce, the population of TCK’s on the campus of Oklahoma Christian is steadily growing. TCKs are great resources on the university campus and can be mobilized as ambassadors of diversity. Third Culture Kids have a unique ability to understand and work with the world’s rapidly growing population of migrants and refugees. In helping TCK’s navigate the cross-cultural adjustment phase during school years, we empower them to use their unique perspective and experience to benefit the campus community and beyond.
Oklahoma Christian is especially qualified to undertake this effort because:
- There is a strong and growing TCK group on campus.
- Oklahoma Christian has a rich heritage of serving missionary families.
- Oklahoma Christian has implemented a diversity initiative designed to create an atmosphere which welcomes every culture and ethnicity to become part of the campus community.
The Oklahoma Christian TCK group meets every month for food, fellowship, and outings to local cultural and entertainment attractions. The TCK group is often hosted in the homes of OC faculty, staff, and administrators.
Oklahoma Christian serves TCK families by hosting an annual TCK camp “Global Reunion” in partnership with Mission Resource Network. For more information about the next Global Reunion contact:
OC Third Culture Kids
Faculty Facts
Merle Gatewood teaches English and French in the Department of Language and Literature. About her goals at OC she says, "I want to help students become truly educated, that is, to grow in wisdom and faith."
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