Just For Fun - Questions for a TCK like Me
I recently posted a short comic strip on my social media sharing some snippets of my life as a “Third Culture Kid”. Out of this time of sharing these silly stories and experiences living abroad and not knowing exactly how to respond the question of “where are you from”, drew me to ask myself some more questions! I hope you enjoy this blog post about being a TCK :)
Jan Jan’s TCK Life #1
What’s your story? How has growing up TCK shaped your life?
My parents were born in Hong Kong but moved to Latin America when they were really young. They met in Venezuela! My sister and I were born and raised in Venezuela and my life has been a mixture of Latin and Asian culture with American influence (as I studied at an International School) and later pursued a degree in the U.S. I moved to Hong Kong three years ago and have been living here ever since. Growing up as a TCK gave me a way to learn how to transition and adapt in new environments, even though the process is not easy, I’m always excited for new experiences!
What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
I have a mix of Western and Asian cultures, so it helps me understand both sides. Being in the middle ground gives me a wider perspective when I meet people of different cultural backgrounds, especially when it comes to topics like food, languages, and family dynamics.
What is the strangest thing that has happened to you in your host country? And then laugh with them or gasp with them, even if you don’t quite understand.
Growing up, I always got asked “do you speak Chinese, and can you say something?”. It’s not strange, but this would happen frequently, almost every day, Venezuelans would stare at me and admire my ethnicity, even though they didn’t know I was a Venezuelan myself in disguise. Sometimes people would talk about me in Spanish and I would pretend to not understand.
Is there a special sound or smell you miss most about the countries you’ve lived in?
The smell of rain in Venezuela! I miss the weather in Caracas (Venezuela’s capital city). It’s like spring all year long. After 9 years living out of my home country, I’ve had to adapt to humid places, but it’s still okay. Surviving with my sweaty clothes.
What is your favorite movie/song/book? Doesn’t have to be about their life abroad! We are all so much more than where we physically live.
Movies - I usually watch these movies almost every year! Forest Gump, The Help, Matilda, Spirited Away, Harry Potter Series, The Proposal.
Books - I enjoy reading web comics (if it counts as books lol!) and the Bible. I honestly haven’t read many novels in years! I should probably get back to it.
Songs and Bands - A mix of latino songs from the 2000s, 80s pop songs, Hong Kong songs from the 90s like Beyond, Sam Hui, jazz and lo-fi for work. Some bands and musicians that I’ve played non-stop have been Rivers and Robots, Philip Shibata, Natashia Midori, and Maverick City.
What is your favorite place to take visitors to in your host country?
I love taking friends to different coffee shops whenever I go back to Venezuela. Coffee is so good and Venezuelans are really friendly to talk to. Sometimes we’ll end up complaining and joking, but it’s all good.
What is your best holiday tradition?
The first time I celebrated Thanksgiving with my friend in New Jersey, I was blown away by the feeling of being in family and enjoying time together. I love Thanksgiving! I grew up celebrating holidays mostly with family dinners, but I really enjoy New Year, sometimes even more than Christmas. I think Christmas celebrations are being redeemed for me right now as I adopt new traditions for myself while living in Hong Kong :)
If you could change one thing about your TCK life, what would it be and why?
Being forced to translate for your parents at a young age. I remember how much pressure and frustration I felt as a 12-year-old, and my parents would ask me to translate things from English to Spanish and sometimes in Cantonese.
If you could give one part of your TCK life to someone else (because you love it so much), what would it be and why?
I would love for people to understand multiple languages at a time and laugh at different types of humor. Every culture carries different humor. I come from 3 cultural backgrounds, so it’s really funny to explore the different jokes and funny stories that people share.
What aspects of your host culture do you find yourself doing no matter where you are, or if you change something how do you adjust it?
As a Venezuelan, I can be loud and often show a lot of physical affection. Not in a creepy way, I hope! I love hugs and patting people on the back or putting my hand on a person’s shoulder. I just automatically do this as a friendly gesture but I totally understand that it can freak people out if they are not used to it. Especially living in Asia, I have to be careful with this aspect of my latina culture.
Do you notice yourself shifting between cultures? What does that feel like in your physical body or mannerisms?
So much! When I’m out in the city of Hong Kong, I have to remind myself to be more reserved, calm, and observant. If I just unleash my Venezuelan side, I can be really loud, sarcastic, and often joking a lot or saying random things in serious moments. I move my hands a lot when I talk and I clap for everything. My Asian side comes out more when it comes to eating or ways of thinking. 熱氣 (“yit hei” in Cantonese, “hot air” in English) may or may not be a real thing, but it happens to me when I eat too much-fried food. Google it! I tend to say “you got sick because it’s cold” and it’s definitely an Asian thing that my parents taught me.
What excites you about being back in your passport country? Or, what do you feel nervous about? What are you looking forward to? Or dreading?
I always have some sort of reverse culture shock when I go back to my home country. Inflation affects and changes Venezuela every year, so whenever I go back, I’m just shocked at all the prices in restaurants and grocery stores. I’m not up to date about Venezuela’s economy. The Venezuelan airport is such a hassle every time I go back.
Where do you feel most at home?
For me, a home is to be part of a close community. So far, it’s my third year in Hong Kong and I’m feeling more and more at home. Cantonese may not be my first language and I still get nervous when I speak to locals, but I feel very at home here. Of course, nothing beats the feeling of going back home to Venezuela and just seeing my close friends. They make me feel at home :)
Is there anyone or anything that you miss right now?
I miss “una empanada con carne mechada y una malta bien fria” (Empanadas and a malted drink from Venezuela). I also my childhood friends from my home town as everyone is adulting and going into new seasons. I’m thankful for social media which helps us keep each other updated!
Do you feel like people understand you?
It depends who I am with. Right now I work in a multi-cultural missions organization and I feel like we are always learning from each other! Being a TCK gives me the opportunity to engage with people that are from different cultures and I’m able to share my life experiences.
Some questions I used directly from these website references:
