How Finnish University Students Who Have Lived Abroad as Children can Help Future Finnish Children Who Will Live Abroad? : Insights of Finnish former TCKs
Won, Ellen (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025062323422
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025062323422
Tiivistelmä
The study investigated the experiences of Finnish university students who had lived abroad as children, and what insights they could offer to support future Finnish children living abroad. The concept of Third Culture Kids (TCKs) defines children who grow up outside their parents’ home country due to international work commitments and often face identity, language, and belonging complications. The objective was to explore the experiences of these Finnish former TCKs and gather their reflections and advice to support future Finnish TCKs undergoing a similar transition.
The implemented method was qualitative research, using a constructivist, inductive approach. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with three Finnish university students who fit the TCK framework, currently studying in an international program. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key themes from the participants’ experiences and recommendations.
The findings revealed that growing up abroad fostered intercultural capability, English language fluency, and adaptability; however, participants also faced difficulties reintegrating into their native country. These included loss of Finnish language skills, identity disconnection from the Finnish culture, and lack of dedicated support in Finnish schools. Despite these challenges, the respondents appreciated and valued their international experience. They emphasized the importance of family support, culture and language preservation, and emotional support during the environmental transitions.
The results highlighted the need for better educational, societal, familial, and business structures in Finland and abroad to support TCKs. Practical advice for future Finnish TCKs and their families was identified, contributing new perspectives to the limited research on supporting future Finnish TCKs.
The implemented method was qualitative research, using a constructivist, inductive approach. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with three Finnish university students who fit the TCK framework, currently studying in an international program. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key themes from the participants’ experiences and recommendations.
The findings revealed that growing up abroad fostered intercultural capability, English language fluency, and adaptability; however, participants also faced difficulties reintegrating into their native country. These included loss of Finnish language skills, identity disconnection from the Finnish culture, and lack of dedicated support in Finnish schools. Despite these challenges, the respondents appreciated and valued their international experience. They emphasized the importance of family support, culture and language preservation, and emotional support during the environmental transitions.
The results highlighted the need for better educational, societal, familial, and business structures in Finland and abroad to support TCKs. Practical advice for future Finnish TCKs and their families was identified, contributing new perspectives to the limited research on supporting future Finnish TCKs.