Adult Third Culture Kid’s (ATCK’s) Journey to Belonging through Blogs and Podcasts

Abstract

ATCKs, shaped by high childhood mobility and cross-cultural experience, often struggle with a sense of belonging that can persist throughout adulthood. The aim of this study was to explore the question, “How does the experience of writing blogs and producing podcasts for ATCKs contribute to an ATCK’s own sense of belonging?” The objectives were two-fold: 1) to discover how the topic of belonging is covered in blogs and podcasts produced by ATCKs for ATCKs; and 2) to explore how, by writing blogs or producing podcasts for other ATCKs, they contribute to their own sense of belonging. The qualitative method of netnography was used examining blogs and podcasts produced by three authors/producers. The findings were: 1) belonging, as presented in the blogs and podcasts, focused on ATCKs’ difficulty in defining home and constructed marginality, that is, being so convinced that you do not belong that you go through life continually looking for confirmation; 2) strategies for cultivating belonging, as presented in the blogs and podcasts, include shifting the focus from oneself to others, and connecting and building relationships with intentionality, authenticity, and healthy curiosity; and 3) by exercising for themselves the strategies for cultivating belonging outlined in the blogs and podcasts, the authors and producers can contribute to their own sense of belonging. As evidenced in this study, one way to journey towards belonging is through writing blogs and producing podcasts for ATCKs. By supporting others through the journey towards belonging and sharing their own stories along the way, ATCKs have the opportunity to connect and build relationships with other likeminded people and thereby mitigate the challenge of belonging for themselves. This research has global impact as not only can ATCKs be found in almost any country in the world, but also blogs and podcasts can reach anyone with internet access.