TCK Voices: Chana Noeth
Being a TCK has truly ingrained in me the perspective that it is our differences as people that make us so wonderful, that we can learn from everyone, and that there’s always another story to hear from someone else ,,,
Being a TCK has truly ingrained in me the perspective that it is our differences as people that make us so wonderful, that we can learn from everyone, and that there’s always another story to hear from someone else ,,,
I love to think that I am a mix of four cultures. I am so thankful for the Lord bringing each of them into my life at different times and for the things He has taught me through each of them…
One would think that being a part of several cultures would bring more variety to one’s experience, but sometimes it has the effect of cancelling out everything about all the cultures instead …
One of the hardest things about being a TCK is that I don’t (and can’t) behave the way people expect me to based on my outward appearance. People tend to expect me to behave like the stereotypical American, and I just can’t, because I am mostly Asian on the inside …
We as TCKs have so much to offer. Yes, we all have been through so much – goodbyes, culture shock, change…
A couple of the hardest things are the feeling of being stuck between two worlds and not being able to have a constant group of friends with you in person.
The hardest thing about being a TCK for me is the lack of true friendships. When you don’t live in your passport country, you can’t always relate to the people you are working with. And time zones make communication with friends overseas really, really hard.
There are TCKs who live remotely from other people. They feel discouraged and lonely for friends…
Right after we arrived in America, lockdowns started. It was a pretty tough time for my whole family – being away from my dad, finally being back where our friends lived but unable to see them.
As a child, I struggled to acknowledge my losses, so I ended up suppressing most of my emotions. In my early teens and after my first repatriation, I struggled with identity and belongingness as I couldn’t fit into my birth country…