Yesterday evening I attended a lecture on Third-Culture Kids (TCKs) and Cross-Cultural Kids (CCKs) given by Ruth E. Van Reken at Frankfurt International School in Oberursel, Germany.

On the left - the author, Ruth E. Van Reken.

Ms Van Reken is a second generation adult TCK and mother of 3TCKs. She speaks nationally and internationally on issues related to global family living and is also co- founder of Families in Global Transition. In addition to other writing, Ruth is co-author of Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds.

Her lecture was most fascinating. I had attended it for the benefit of my own two CCK children (one being borderline TCK: born in Japan), but came out learning also more about myself.

We live in an international bubble community and most of my contacts are with other foreigners. I have spent a significant part of my developmental stage in life outside my passport country.

Ms. Van Reken pointed out in the beginning, that much of what we will hear, we already know, but after this lecture we will be able to use our knowledge more sensibly. How true her words were! I walked away realizing I have a visible role (as a German) and an invisible one (being an adult CCK myself), and I just have to find my cultural balance.

Much more can be learned from her book, co-authored by the late David C. Pollock.

Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds, Revised Edition Amazon U.S.A.

Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds Amazon U.K.

Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds Amazon Germany

Back in 2003, I had had the opportunity to also listen to David C. Pollock’s lecture when he came to Frankfurt International School to talk about about Thriving Through Transition.

Being or raising CCKs and/or TCKs is a very interesting topic – the internationally mobile child is on the move. As time goes on, there will be more of us. One of Facebook’s TCK groups lists more than 20.000 members. I’d better go and check it out – I am sure to find somebody I know.

To learn more about Ruth E. Van Reken, visit crossculturalkid.

Posted 24 Sep 2009

Applications are invited for the following position:

* Upper School English Teacher (grade 6, 7, and 8 ) effective immediately until 31 July 2010.

Application should be in writing and directed to the upper school principal with a copy to Rita De La Cruz within seven working days of this notice.

- Posted 24 Aug 2009 -

Applications are invited for the following position:

* Full-time German teacher at International School of Wiesbaden (ISW) effective immediately.

Applications should be in writing and directed to the appropriate principal (christine_bayliss@fis.edu) with copy to Rita De La Cruz within seven working days of this notice.

Posted 13 Aug 2009

Applications are invited for the following positions at Frankfurt International School/Germany:

* Temporary part time or possibly full-time elementary German teacher to replace a teacher in a different assignment and on parental leave effective immediately until 31 July 2010.

* Temporary teacher/librarian at the primary school effective immediately. This will be a long-term sick leave replacement.

Applications should be in writing and directed to the appropriate principals with copy to Rita De La Cruz within seven working days of this notice.

Rita De La Cruz
HR Manager
Frankfurt International School
Tel.: +49 (0) 6171-2024478
Mobile: +49 (0)172-7602097
Fax.: +49 (0) 6171-2024384

Queries to: Administrator@fis.edu

As my post I have been walking for more than 45 years has created some interest, I decided to write a continuation.

Advances in technology have eased the way for consumers to reduce their walking. This is why the remote control was invented for your TV, VCR and cable box, among many other devices created for your convenience. But while it may be convenient to stay put on the sofa, your muscles, particularly your heart, won’t appreciate it. Getting up and taking a walk will even save you more time as it may reduce trips to your general practitioner and psychologist’s office. Walking is the best way to mental and physical health.

As a matter of fact, I am still walking everywhere. Over the years I have met dog owners, young mothers pushing strollers, senior citizens carrying their shopping, German students walking home from school, and many others who have sometimes stopped to talk. To some people, seeing somebody walking during the day might mean I am not employed and therefore I often have to excuse myself as I am on my way to the next appointment. But if I ever felt lonely, I would just go out and take a walk. (Don’t forget your camera either!) It is mind-cleansing, invigorating, and stimulating.

Taking a walk is a great way to socialize unless you opt for a walk in one of our dark and silent woods. And I will continue this lost art of walking, not only to save the environment from toxins, but also to … my own health.

But scientists and engineers have been working on inventing yet another means of transportation, namely the electric car. This project is supported by the Environmental Ministry of Hesse, which in turn offers this test electric car to the city of Oberursel from 3-30 April 2009. Various local companies have the chance to test-drive this car (a Citroen Berlingo) for a day or two.

The city of Oberursel invites local companies to participate in this testing phase. If you would like to use the car for a day, then please contact:

Herr Gessner oder Herr Rinker, Umweltamt Stadt Oberursel

e-Mail:  jens.gessner@oberursel.de
Tel. 06171 – 502- 306 or 502 – 310 .

The city will host a press conference on 3 April to launch this test.