What is home? Growing up between cultures | Abeer Yusuf | TEDxTerryTalks

[@itsmicha123]

Firstly, this talk very much resonated with me. As someone who grew up in various parts of Germany and the U.S., it's such a relief to hear someone voicing the questions and frustrations I have. Having people of multiple cultures speaking about their experience helps create an identity around "Third Culture." The term "Third Culture" in itself is interesting, because it creates a necessary identity for those who do not fit within the most commonly accepted identity categories. I only learned about the term when I began college, and it was somewhat of a relief to learn that I could allocate some of my anxieties around outsiderness to this category. However, I've always hated the specific term "Third Culture". It feels like an outcast category/placeholder-while-we-think-of-a-better-name category, much like "Third Gender". It isolates the person from either culture, instead of allowing them to inhabit a space within either. This reinforces the sense of self-isolation and cultural isolation that people of multiple cultures experience. I think the most effective term needs to address what is gained by being from multiple cultures, not on what is lost. Mixed-culture, Interculture, to me, are more accurate terms. But then again, as you say, being "Third Culture" is a subjective experience, and what feels right to me might feel wrong to another.

[@constanzza777]

I would call it cosmopolitan culture ... I am a product of a hybrid culture as I lived in a few countries before chosing Canada. And I do not mind not fitting in a particular culture. We are millions to have cross-cultural identities

[@lightawake]

I think it's great that tck's have been identified, and look forward to this field of research deepening - despite also resonating with many points, it also comes across as a field of research that is still in very early stages due to the massively variable talks I've heard so far. I hadn't really thought about the term tck until I read your comment, but see how it can be construed as a convenient 'place-holder' term - and I think it may be because the field is still so young. I love your term 'inter-culture' - I think it's a much more accurate term that evokes the placelessness, as well as globalness of our experience between different distinct cultures. (nb. As a side-note, to me 'mixed-culture' implyies that the kid is biologically a mixed culture/race. So I think 'mixed-culture' could apply to a sub-group of tck, but not all). Anyway, with your permission I'd like to drop the term 'interculture' in other comments I might make and try and spread it! :)

[@richardcampbell8685]

Late to the comments but I am from the USA and grew up in the middle East. Refreshing to hear someone that gets it.

[@MINSTROSlTY]

I have to watch this for class... But it's actually very interesting and relatable! Great talk!

[@jithumpa1]

At the very core we all have only one identity , that is human ! Well articulated presentation !

[@olsonjaimescarrillo7832]

Well done Abeer, thank you for the research and talk. I was born to Colombian/Venezuelan parents and grew up in the USA, Colombia, Venezuela, Russia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

[@fekard]

It is tough and we need a support network or our own nation or city. Thank you.

[@arlinegeorge6967]

So true we as individuals have our perception. Life is magically beautiful to have a rich experiences. Very informative and interesting. Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[@bmartinmcd18]

So great to hear your voice and see you communicate Abeer! Loved the subject material close to your heart. Youk ow, there are TKAs as well! I am one for sure. Don't be long anywhere. But put down roots, and give my children some sense of belonging somewhere even though they sense the alienation of their mother (Asian) and me (Irish Australian totally Malaysianised!) Hope we can catch up one day, and have a face to face like we used to in the music room. Wishing you every success and every happiness!

[@meenakshisinghal5399]

Commendable analysis of rich experiences. A trying journey ahead. All t best

[@speedygonzales4707]

You are a "pinup girl" for globalisation: young, smart, savvy, sophisticated, excellent command of English (and other languages I guess). Other people affected by globalisation include migrant workers such as construction workers in Qatar, Indonesian housemaids in Singapore and laid off workers in rust belt areas of developed countries. We are all affected to different degrees in different ways.

[@lbrtvlldr]

I had the exact same feeling. Sadly, we'll never see any of those folks you listed give a Ted talk.

[@anerudhpraveen6080]

lmao who else is watching this in class

[@Lord_Helix]

yes

[@catojo8850]

@@Lord_Helix did you have to cite this video as a source? If so, can you share that with me?

[@carbonspirit122]

omg, I found someone I could relate to!!

[@tiadelmundo5295]

Thank you i needed this for my thesis

[@LucasTheNuisance]

Watching this for class...

[@megatmuazam4436]

Great talk, very interesting love from malaysia!

[@نعمةاللهخالد-خ1غ]

اتوقع عن مفهومي عن الأسرة والبيت هو مكان بيحسسني بتأنيب الضمير علي طول وبحس فيه اني مش كفايه ومش بعمل حاجه منيحه ولا لنفسي ولا لغيري بصراحه بقيت احس انه اهلي دولا مكان للجلادين والتعذيب والتقييم والارشاد بس هو بصراحه قاسي جدا جدا جدا علي وأسلوب التعامل معاي فيه قاسي جداجدا جدا بس هو بصراحه اتمني اني اكون علي المقدرة عندي اني اكون قادرة علي تغيير نظرتي عن اهلي وعن اسرتي وعن البيت بدل ما هو مكان مخنقني الي مكان مينعشني اني اكون قادرة اعيش فيه وبجد كمان مش هزار خالص خالص خالص جدا كمان انا اقدر اقولكم لكده بس هو بصراحه انه انا كده بس هو بصراحه اني اطلعت مبحبش التعليم العلوم دي انا مش حباهم ومش مستلطفاهم خالص الان بلاتيني اني اقدر الاقي حياتي اللي هي بجد مش هزار يمكن من أصعب علي من التحديات هي اني اغير وعيي عن البيت والاسرة لشئ فخم وكبير جدا جدا جدا جدا والمدرسة كمان احاول استفاد منه جدا بقدر المستطاع بدل ما انا بنظر للمجتمع انه هو المكان اللي انا لازم اطلع فيه علي اكمل ما يمكن لا طبعا انا اقدر اتعامل مع نفسي في اي مكان واكون علي كبيعتي جداجداجدا كمان

[@TheGoodGoodMan]

Thanks

[@mandlin4602]

I’m British and I knew a girl who was half British white and half Malaysian, she told me the exact same story lol. Where when she goes to Malaysia they call her the white girl and in Britain they call her the Asian girl. I was like, well - do you mind if I refer to you as the half Malay half British girl as you are both in equal parts valid? She was like…. Finally someone gets it lol

[@glevtube]

You should go to one of the migrant countries (like Aus, NZ, Canada, etc) where everyone's a migrant or TCK. And the government is equal to everyone. So this is not such a problem in these countries.

[@lightawake]

It's more forgiving here in nz, I think that's true. However there is still a distinct mainstream nz culture (of multigenerational immigrants who wouldn't consider themselves immigrants at all), which, if your parents are 1st generation immigrants, is difficult to consolidate with. As a tck you still have to navigate through massive cultural differences and identity issues growing up. I guess a positive is that because there are lots of 1st generation immigrant families, tck kids might have a better chance of finding friends who can relate with them.

[@constanzza777]

The concept of identity changes with time. It is not and should not be something rigid. And there are several identities : cultural, social, professional etc. She is talking about cultural identity here which is a very rich one. But this identity of hers will be probably different in 40 years from now if she stays open-minded...

[@lightawake]

True... And not only her but if the society around her is open to change as well. Because the way we see ourselves is relative to what is reflected back at us from others, and this affects how we calibrate our identity. Eg. I find it funny and poignant that in one culture I'm told I'm really quiet, and in the other I'm told I'm too loud. I can't describe myself as a loud or quiet person as an isolated trait; I've realised that even that is a relative perception lol. People won't believe me if I say the wrong one in the wrong culture - so my identity can be limited by the perspective of those around me too (thus I calibrate how I describe myself). Which is why these talks are so amazing because finally it feels like we are being seen in our entirety, not as a compromise, and hopefully awareness will increase in general society too.

[@Rainerjgs]

She wears a very fine Lady-Dress and I say thank-you for this, because it is a good Exemple for other young Ladies!

[@sarahs-di3jc]

That's what you took from this video?

[@junyonglee9656]

Nobody: "Shut up, Meg!" Anyone???

[@ikkarus87]

OMG. Whatever "I am" finally has a name..TCK! I used to call it global citizen until now but i didnt know there were actual studies to this. HAHA

[@hmh374]

Wow

[@dfdsf4133]

The moment when a guy is kurd

[@niokieriver]

I be human.

[@davidyao7860]

I'm a TCK...

[@FJEdmondson91]

FIRST COMMENT BITCH!!!

[@noestreet760]

THIRD CULTURE KIDS?!? What ever happened to the term FIRST GENERATION IMMIGRANT?

[@ElenaKomleva]

First generation are people who moved to a different country as adults. Those who moved to a different country as teenagers up to the age of 16 are sometimes distinguished from them and called the 1.5 generation, and I guess she calls a similar phenomenon "third culture kid".