Hohenauer, Nora (2024) “European, what else should I identify as?” The TCK Experience in Brussels. Bachelor thesis.
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Abstract
The question "Where are you from?" poses a unique challenge for third-culture kids (TCKs). It is defined as children whose parents found employment outside their passport countries and therefore growing up in a third culture. (Useem et al. 1963) These individuals blend cultural identities from their country of residence and country of origin. In today's globalised world being a TCK is not a rarity anymore. Therefore to understand today's society better, this research delves into the identity formation of European TCKs within the context of the European Union and studies their experience. The research is focused on expat children whose parents worked for EU institutions, attended European schools, and navigated the intricacies of Brussels' multicultural landscape. This qualitative study offers an insider's view into the practical workings of the EU and its direct impact on the next generation. The research contributes to the broader discourse on European identity by contextualising the experiences of TCKs within the heart of Europe. Data is collected by in-depth interviews with a cohort of nine individuals aged 16 to 22, who either currently attend or have previously attended European schools in Brussels. The results reveal a common theme among participants in experiencing a disconnect to their passport country, a desire for national attachment, and the significance of the "Brussels Bubble" in shaping their sense of belonging, emphasising the importance of shared backgrounds in fostering comfort when growing up as a TCK. The emotional connection to being European is complex, influenced by individual experiences and broader political and cultural contexts. Recommendations for future research are to have a similar study with an older age range. This research contributes valuable insights to the discourse on European identity and the EU ́s inner workings and its direct influence on the next generation.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Human Geography and Planning |
| Supervisor: | Venema, J.W. |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Feb 2024 08:58 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Feb 2024 08:58 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4458 |
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