11-year old Eliana: What It’s Like to Be a TCK (Third Culture Kid)

Ever wondered what it’s like to experience a myriad of different cultures… but as a kid? 11-year old Eliana Silver, who writes the blog TC Kids (“For Kids by a Kid”) is doing just that, and in the process sharing her experiences with other kids. For a third culture kid, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures and moving frequently is just a part of day to day life. Read here all about Eliana’s experiences and her advice for other third culture kids.

First off, please tell us a bit about yourself. Where do you currently live? Where are you from?

My name is Eliana Silver and I currently live in Miami,Florida, but in a few months I will be moving to Madrid,Spain.

On your blog, you describe yourself as a  “Third Culture Kid (TCK)” is. What does this mean to you? How do you think being a TCK changes your experience relative to your friends who have lived in the US their whole lives?

Being a Third Culture Kid means a lot to me because I get to see new things, and lots of different countries. I think that my friends who have lived in the US for their entire life are less adventurous than I am, and do not like trying new things. I really hope they get a chance go to different countries and explore the world.

Tell me a bit about why you decided to start your blog, TC Kids?

I decided to start my blog probably because I think that people would like reading about my life, and what it feels like to be a TC Kid.

You have lived all over the world, and therefore experienced many cultures. What culture do you identify the most with? American culture? Or another culture?

I probably consider myself mostly American, but I also feel a bit Russian because my mom’s side of the family is from Russia.

Tell me one of your favorite experiences from living abroad.

One of my best experiences was riding on a train to Ukraine from Russia and sleeping, eating, and living on the train for 24 hours. Russian trains are very comfortable, and make you feel right at home.

What do you like most about living all over the world? What is your favorite place that you have lived and why?

I love to move around because I get to see things that I have never seen before. My favorite country that I have lived in so far is probably Russia. I had a very small class in my school and not so many girls, so we were all friends. And also, most of the people in my school were also TC Kids because I went to an international school, and I felt I had a lot in common with the kids at school.

How do you feel when you move to a new country? Excited? Nervous? Intrigued?

When I move to a new country I feel really excited because I look forward to making more friends, and seeing more things. But at the same time I feel sad because I have to leave my friends behind.

Is there anywhere in the world that you want to live but haven’t yet?

I would really love to move to England. I love British accents, and I love how everything in England is like out of a fairytale, with all its unique little villages and comfy little houses.

What are the top 1-2 tips you would give to another kid who is about to move abroad? What do you know now that you wish you had known before?

I would probably tell kids not to worry when they’re moving because it is an honor to get to move to different countries, and since there is always email, Facebook, Skype, and more, you can always communicate with friends and relatives. I wish I had known before not to worry, so I would have been much more relaxed.