Your First Mission: Break the Ice And Make a Public Commitment

brice royer Hello Challengers,

Welcome to the Belonging Challenge!

If you’re here, then you are ready. You signed up by email, watched the Belonging Challenge Introduction Video, you know what the challenge experiment is about, how it’s going to work, and you are committed to offer a sense of belonging to at least one person and help mobilize this community.

By participating to this challenge, you agree to the following:

* I understand I may not change the world, but if I can change that one person’s world, then that would make me happy.

* I understand I don’t have to be a TCK or culturally mixed to join. People from all over the world, backgrounds, ages and abilities are welcome.

* I am committed and ready to invite at least one person to take this experience with me.

YOUR FIRST MISSION: Make a Public Commitment

Your mission today is very simple. You need to make a public commitment to other challengers going through this with you.

Telling someone else about your goal increases your chances of getting it done. I’ve found it works well for me to remind and keep myself accountable to others.

Leave a comment below and tell us you are “Ready!” and share how many people you’re committed to give a sense of belonging. Feel free to tell us a little bit about yourself and where you live too.

For more “advanced” goal-setters: How many people are you committed to invite? What is the date you will start fulfilling your commitment?

Announce to the world that you are going to achieve a certain goal by a certain date. Commit yourself to the hilt.

Leave a comment below to tell us you are ready.

Yours,

Brice

P.S: Any questions? Just send us an email to daniela@tckid.com and my assistant Daniela or myself will respond. You’ll receive your next mission by email so keep an eye on your inbox! (02/17/09)

· Filed under General

82 Comments »

  1. Rebecca Said,

    @

    I’m ready! I invited my daughter to participate with me. :-) I agree with what was said in that video about belonging and identity, this is something I struggled with for many years in my life living in Australia and I’m looking forward to make a difference.

    I’m very excited about this challenge!
    Thank you,
    Rebecca

  2. miyon Said,

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    I am ready. I will let my MK friend Esther know and ask her to do the same with another person.

    I have been having challenges with the sense of belong. I am sure a lot of TCKs and nonTCKs will find this helpful.

    This is going to be great.

  3. Yvonne Said,

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    I am ready too! I am going to meet my friend Tamara and her sister and ask them to join in this challenge.

    For so many years I have been struggling about my sense of international belonging. It was so difficult to find others of the same kind. Now I would be very glad to help other TCK/TCA´s with the same sense to find out all about its greatness.

    Wow, you can do it if you really want, but you must try….
    It´s exciting.

  4. Deanna Wharwood Said,

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    I’m ready. I’m going to tell as many people as I can.

    Like you, Brice, I believe that there is a rise in the need for we “interculturalists.” I also believe that we TCA’s have a great deal to teach each other and the rest of the world.

    I’m in, all the way, to the hilt!

    Deanna

  5. Elisa Said,

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    I’m ready! I’m looking for people to invite, and I’m looking forward to helping other people find the sense of belonging that I struggled to find, and I’m finally finding.
    I think this challenge has the potential of helping lots of people everywhere.
    Thank you
    Elisa

  6. Rachel Said,

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    I’m ready, and I’d like to get my brother involved too.

    I agree that it’s so important to have a sense of belonging, and as a TCK that’s been something that’s challenged me for years. I’m looking forward to this new challenge now!

  7. Brenda Said,

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    I’m ready to take the challenge. I am a TCK and a Counselor. I also sometimes have opportunity to speak in Social and cultural issues classes and in Counseling classes. I will take every opportunity to share in classes and invite disenfranchised people to a new identity and belonging. I will invite 5 other people to join.

    Brenda

  8. Amanda Said,

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    Hi guys,

    Have my list of four, which may increase as I think further through the day… What’s next?

  9. Martin Jaeschke Said,

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    Thanks for the idea. I am ready to take that challenge head-on. As to the people to be targetted ((TCKs or ATCKs)I don´t know the people yet but maybe there is a clue out there. At least I wish to say I am fully cooperative.

  10. Janai Said,

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    I am ready to take the challenge. I am a TCK, published author and seminary student. I will also purposefully take opportunities to speak and share about belonging and this new wave of identity. I will start with one and I hope it will increase as these challenges continue.

    Janai

  11. Heidi Said,

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    I’m ready! I passed the video on to an old friend across the globe. What a great project.

  12. Sylvia Said,

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    I cannot express my excitement over this challenge. I am ready.

  13. Jennifer Said,

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    I am a TCK and excited about this challenge. I have already invited several other TCKs to participate. I’m ready to make a difference!

  14. Melody Said,

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    I AM READY.

    I hope to write my bachelor thesis/dissertation on us (as in TCKs.

    Let’s start the revolution :) .

  15. Kris Said,

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    I am ready. I’ve been ready for months!!!

    I’m already telling my friends, family, and co-workers about being a TCK and a cross-cultural person.

    I’m working with a person in the HR department of my job to raise awareness in our company, a global NGO. We want to raise awareness about the needs of people coming to work for us here in Colorado, USA from other parts of the world and the special needs of their children. We want to take advantage of the unique gifts of the TCKs, CCKs, Global Nomads, and others to make our organization more effective. We belong and we need to feel that. We are incredible resources that often go un-tapped and that’s a waste.

    I’ve offered to be an email pal for repatriating kids so that I can help them figure out how to adapt and belong without hiding or losing who we are. Why should all of us learn the hard way!

    I will pass the video on to people as I go. When I’m done with this post, I’ll forward it to the first 3.

  16. Isaac Said,

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    Hi Brice and all my fellow challengers! I am ready as well. I believe this is a worthy endevor and whole heartedly join this Belonging Challenge. I’m a person with a TCK upbringing and see the need to be connected.

    Kris, I’d love to connect with you and pick your brain as it is my desire as well to raise awarness and be a conduit of connection to those transitioning to life in the States.

  17. Jan Said,

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    I am ready. I have been thinking about this idea of belonging quite a bit lately, for I have been experiencing what I’ll call “The Four Ds”: a sense of 1. displacement, 2. disempowerment, 3. disenfranchisement, and 4. depression.

    The irony is that for years *I* was a community organizer who helped people empower themselves in their communities, a journalist who wrote stories about these things, and a teacher who helped people transform.

    One of the best ways to deal with situations like this is to step outside oneself and, in fact, to help others. I am also a firm believer in selfless service, also called seva, although I have been a bit too caught up in myself and haven’t gone the distance.

    Well, I’m ready to take the challenge and ready to become more useful to our world snd community, to bring my rusty skills to the fore.

    I will invite Minoo and Jennifer to take take the challenge with me.

    Thank you for mobilizing!

  18. Sherri Said,

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    I’m a TCK, about to graduate from University and planning to work with MKs. I am excited about the TCK community pulling together and reaching out to others to help them find the identity and belonging that we have struggled to find.

    I plan to share this video and challenge with a few TCK friends right away, and can’t wait to see what will happen.

  19. haesel Said,

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    I think this is a great challenge. I am a TCK, and sense of belonging has been a theme for me, that is beginning to feel resolved in my adulthood. But helping others enjoy a sense of belonging feels like a project I can relate to.

    I’ve invited my boyfriend to join the challenge, he too is of mixed cultural heritage.

  20. Clara Said,

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    I’m ready! I’m going to try to invite another person, but I don’t know who yet!

  21. Isabelle Said,

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    I’m ready! I’ve got 2 or 3 on my potential invite list.

  22. Jimmy Said,

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    I have invited a friend and will invite a couple more after posting this. I am excited!!!

  23. sunny Said,

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    I am going to go through the book, Among World with my sweetheart! I am inviting my sisters and thier significant others to do the same =)

  24. Albert Kitomari Said,

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    Hello everyone. I’m Al and I live in a small town close to Boston, MA. I’ve lived in the U.S for 9 years now and not having a sense of belonging has been the most challenging part of my life. For a long I had never met any other tcks to whom I could relate my experiences and challenges with, and at some point I was forced to believe I was the only one. That all changed when I ran into tckid.com. Reading the forums and participating in the chat events really helped me understand who I am and provided me with comfort knowing that I wasn’t, and we weren’t alone.

    I’m ready and very excited about this challenge.

  25. Junko Said,

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    I’m ready! I’m curious how this is going to change myself and some of my friends whom I will be involving in this process (the number I have in mind is 4 or more). I have some friends and acquaintances who have lived in various countries for some time, but they are not exactly TCKs like the ones I see here. So, I was all the more astonished to find out that there are people who worry about cultures, languages, where’re-you-from question, your-English-is-good comments, just like I do. I am so used to being a loner TCK that I feel a bit apprehensive… But yes, I would like to give it a try, and again, I’m ready!

  26. Anny Said,

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    I`m ready.
    I`ve invited a couple of friends who are TCK`s but aren`t really aware of this community, and I`m sure they`ll spread the word too.
    Thank you for organizing this!!!

  27. Elle Said,

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    Hi TCKs all over the world, we’re in this together! Let’s see what we can do for and in our communities. I am grateful to friends who made me feel like I belonged, and I am ready to help someone else gain that valuable sense of belonging.

  28. Lezlie Said,

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    I am ready. I can think of several people to invite. I have struggled with feeling I don’t belong for a great deal of my life. This is exciting!

  29. Natalie Said,

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    I’m ready. I’m almost done with University so I hope I won’t be too busy for this. I hope to get my brother involved. He has just started high school. We’re both very passionate about this!

  30. Rach Said,

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    well i think i’m ready?! i’ve let other TCKs and parents of TCKs know about both the website and the challenge…
    however personally speaking, i have just stayed in 4 countries in europe, africa and the pacific in the past month and have landed in a town where noone seems to have been abroad so everything feels a little topsy turvy…
    anyways, i’m passionate about this and look forward to the challenge :-)

  31. Sandy Said,

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    I am ready. I can’t think of words right now…

  32. Paulette Said,

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    I am ready to accept this challenge. I have 2 young grandsons who will be growing up as TCK in Africa, so I am very aware of how they will need a sense of belonging one day. I will be looking forward to what is next.

  33. Peggy Said,

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    Sign me up!
    I’ve invited my 3 kids ….. the real TCKs in our family. But I’ve had a hard time with the moves as their mom too!
    And, truth be told, I’ve never felt as if I’ve fit in my entire life having come from an immigrant family and not being in the mainstream culture. I am willing and ready to throw myself into this……anything is better than the dreaded 4 D’s.

  34. Seamus Said,

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    I’m up for this!

    I grew up traveling on a boat with my family, and people have asked me where I’m from. My first thought is “I am from a boat”, but this is usually replaced with a simple answer of my parent’s hometown in the states. I don’t feel like I am from anywhere specific, and just wish I could fill in the “Other” option!

  35. Mag Said,

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    I’m ready too :) Going to tell my friends in our new local TCK group!

  36. Jan Said,

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    I am having a birthday party tonight with a bunch of foreigners while we are all living in China, so I will share with them and through having dinner together on a regular basis I hope that I make others feel like they belong and are loved because isn’t that what it’s all about, feeling like one is loved

  37. Leah Said,

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    I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS! I plan on sharing this with all of my friends growing up since I spent just about my whole life in Asia…being a TCK is my life – my identity. I don’t feel like I really belong to any of the countries that form a part of me…but I most definitely belong to the TCK family…and am proud of it! And if there are TCK’s in San Antonio, TX – we need to get together!

  38. Joyce Said,

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    I’m ready! Like everyone else it seems I’m so excited to be part of this, and bringing awareness.

    I’m still struggling a lot with my own sense of identity…so this is encouraging.

    I’m also writing a research paper about TCK’s….any suggestions or comments would be most appreciated!

  39. Guini Fulbright Said,

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    So excited about this! Totally ready:)

  40. Galfinha Said,

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    I’m ready!!!

    I’m telling my sister and flatmate about this.

  41. Dunah/ Bernice Said,

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    i am totally ready…which is about time for me to be. hahaha. anyways i can’t wait to be involved with ppl that get it.

  42. Mariana Said,

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    I am so ready for this!

    I will be telling my mom about this and I will invite her to do it with me, because she was the person who helped me THE MOST to understand what it means to be a TCkid.

    I was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and have never lived for more than 3 consecutive years in the same place. I have lived in different states in Brazil. I have also lived in Colombia, Argentina, United States and I am engaged to a wonderful man from Spain.

    I am joining this challenge because I feel very blessed to be in the position I am in. I have never had a problem with feeling like I belong somewhere. I owe it all to my mother, who was the best teacher and example when it came to accepting others and allowing others to accept you!

    I have met many people in my situation who do suffer and dont quite feel like they belong. I would love to help as many people as I can possibly help to feel the same joy and happiness being a TCkid has brought me!

    I love meeting new poeple and this will be a great experience, count on me with whaterver you need!

  43. Doci Said,

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    I’m ready too! I’ll invite as many people as I can, even those I don’t think will be interested. After all, someone may need this more than we might think.

  44. Grace Said,

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    I’m ready!

    I’m currently living in Montreal, Canada. I have one person on my invite list so far, and I hope to increase that in the near future.

    We’ve all faced so many challenges in the past and I’m sure many of us still are. Let’s face one that will make a difference.

  45. Ilan Said,

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    I’m ready!

    I can think of two people for who I will do my best to make a difference. I will start as soon as I fully understand what’s expected from me.
    I’m so happy that we are going through this all together, it will bring many good vibes on earth :)

    Love,
    Ilan

  46. Jodi Said,

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    I’m a TCK because I

    1) was born in Hong Kong (now part of China)
    2) lived in the US for 10 years starting at age 4
    3) lived in Shanghai, China for 3.5 years starting at age 14
    4) now live in Michigan, US.

    I’ve gotten used to the fact that a ton of people I know can speak 2 or more languages. When I moved back to the States, it honestly confused me a little to see everything in English.

    I speak (in order of fluency) English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Spanish. I’ve taken Spanish in school for 5 years and plan to major in it in university.

    I think this is an amazing experience for every TCK out there who felt out of place in one place or another. And since we’ve all felt that way at one point, we’re all together in that too.

    I’m constantly meeting new people in my life. This’ll be another place I can do that. =]

  47. Rebecky Said,

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    Displacement, disempowerment, disenfranchisement, and depression increase dismally when a fifth D, denial is present.

    I am ready to live and ready to celebrate belonging on Earth. Brice, the synergy is radiating from your invitation, thank you!

    I have shared with my sister and I will share with 5 colleagues, 5 acquaintences who have not had our diverse experiences, and 5 who have, 5 friends in state and 5 friends out of state, 5 relatives, 5 professional contacts, 5 business people, 5 public bulletin boards, and 5 more people for a total of 50. One for each year I’ve had the privilage to live on Earth with all of you.

    Pay it forward……….in peace

    “Let the wild rumpus begin!” Max shouted.
    from Where The Wild Things Are by ~Maurice Sendak

  48. Michael Said,

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    Hi all!
    This is cool stuff! I am an ATCK from Kenya and US doing student development work in China and raising 3 TCKs…I have recently been to several other cities (I live in Tianjin)and had the privilege of addressing parents and students on the TCK experience- Belonging is Huge in our lives! So, hmmm, commitment…I have sent the invite to my daughter and will add at least 25 to that list.
    Jia You! Harambe!
    Let’s be a force for goodness in the world. I’m in.
    PS. Great Maurice Sendak Quote, Rebecky!

  49. Katrina Said,

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    Hiya =)
    Well I’m not really from anywhere since I grew up in HK but have an American passport. Then moving to the USA and back to China (Shanghai) all over again in my adolescent years. After moving back to China I realized that I had a hard time fitting in with everyone else, now this probably had something to do with the fact that we’re all teenagers… It’s not that I don’t have friends, but it’s that I don’t feel completely comfortable with them. We all come from an international background so there is some understanding…
    Well, one can only do so much.
    I wish everyone luck!

  50. TJ Said,

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    I’m ready. I’m going to invite my sister to join. We are both TCKs and have lived in Africa for the past 5 years.

  51. Mai Said,

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    I too am ready!

  52. Cynthia Said,

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    I sure am ready! :)

    I have finally found closure to the grief that I have unknowingly been experiencing early last year and I am ready to go out and finally face the world as who I am – ME! Not someone who others try to fit in in a box, not someone who other people expect me to be…I am a TCK and I am PROUD. I am currently living in Northwestern Connecticut and my wish is to gain awareness locally by first gathering TCKs that are currently residing in CT but has no idea where to find their “belonging”.

  53. Camille Said,

    @

    I’m ready! I’m committed to make a difference to one person, by the end of the month. Let’s see how that goes. I’m a mixed dual citizen living in neither of the countries of my origin. I face challenges with identity and belonging, and would like the right to not be obligated to choose one or the other citizenship. I think this challenge will make a positive difference for me as well.

  54. Emma Said,

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    I am ready! I will be inviting my sister and some other friends.

  55. Gillian Said,

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    I’m ready to try – I have a couple of friends I will be inviting for sure, but am feeling daunted owing to the other challenges I have in terms of committing to something like this (disabled daughter, mentally ill husband, very little free time or energy and physically run down and ill a lot of the time. But this is worth a try!)

  56. Beth Said,

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    I’ve invited alumni from my high school–almost all TCKs. We’ll see how that goes. I do believe we need a larger vision of what we owe our fellow human beings: “No man is an island”–or simply defined by his or her nationality or any other labels.

  57. Saskia Said,

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    I am ready :) I’m inviting my husband and everyone else that I know will join in and make a difference. Great idea! I’ve been involved in the TCK world since before I was born…amazing how global families are often born into other global families and the world gets smaller everyday.

  58. Pinkpandit Said,

    @

    Most of the contacts in my address book are already TCK’s.
    I have told them about this..still not really sure what the purpose is.. other than to connect…its a cult haha :P
    I just connect better with them than normal people.
    The no. 1 question that i am asked is where i come from, its a great way to start a conversation!

  59. Pinkpandit Said,

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    oh and I also wrote my thesis on Intercultural Learning Methods and Teaching students with Language Learning difficulties(I am a qualified English teacher)
    if anyone is interested in that…

  60. Teri Said,

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    I’m a TCK and belonging has always been a challenge for me. It is rare and precious when it happens. I am ready to move forward with this and will invite a non-TCK friend to participate, as well as some TCKs.

  61. Alessandra Said,

    @

    I’m also a TCK and like most of you, I have struggled to belong and fought against cultural and national labels, which I do not believe apply to me. Over time I have learnt to surround myself with other TCKs or people with a more international mindframe.

    I am looking forward to trying this out and sharing with my TCK and non TCK friends and family to increase awareness.

  62. Shaheema Said,

    @

    Hi! I’m a TCK living in India right now, and I think this is such a great idea! I’m so ready for this. :) I plan to invite at least five people to this challenge, and would like to make a change in their lives as well.

  63. kari Said,

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    ready. i’ll do whatever i can.

  64. Kathleen Rubin Said,

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    I’m now living in Southern California, near the US/Mexico border. I’m a TCK/Global Nomad and a Borderlander. I plan to invite three people to participate in tckid’s efforts. I think it will add to their lives. One is my daughter from San Diego, another is a neighbor and another lives across the Strait from Vancouver in Comox.

  65. Hannelore Said,

    @

    I’m ready!

  66. Rafael Said,

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    I’m a TCK at a University in Germany… I’ll invite at least one other person, to help them to also choose the right way of belonging – the inclusive way.

  67. Bettina Said,

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    I am always ready for a challenge!
    Good to see some friends have already left their comments, it’s a small world :)
    Am a global nomad and have just moved to Malaysia for work, so am still trying to meet some new friends. Here we go…

  68. Stacey Said,

    @

    I am ready!

    I have already told two co-workers about this and because of that, they have told some of their friends as well. I am excited to see how this evolves.

    Thanks and good luck everyone!

  69. Bettina Byrd-Giles Said,

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    I am looking forward to it.

  70. Alev Said,

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    I’m a TCK from Asia Minor, and I just moved to America to study psychology. I want to go back home and help other TCKs, particularly refugees, work through all they have going on, including their lack of a sense of belonging.
    I’m trying to get other TCKs in my dorm involved, as well.

  71. Kolin Goncalves Said,

    @

    I’m an international educator who lived in 7 countries. I am now living in Indianapolis, IN, USA and would like to give at least one person a sense of belonging and an understanding that he/ she isn’t alone as a TCK.

  72. Maayan Said,

    @

    this sounds really exciting!

  73. Maayan Said,

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    Hey,
    so here is a little about me.
    I a TCK. My background is so mixed i dont even know were to start. i am currently studing in the UK. and when ever people ask me ’so are you going home for the holidays?’ i have to think which home and if that place still qualifies as home…
    basically cant name one place thats home but I am beginning to imbracing my international hertige.
    :)

  74. Ute Said,

    @

    Yes, I’m ready!!! It’s going to be very exciting! What a great challenge. I want to reach non-english speaking TCKs and ATCKs (yes, they exist!) and give them a chance to get to know about this fantastic community (tckid!!) and all the belonging that comes with it.
    I am an ATCK, currently living in NZ. I was born in Germany (what is also my passport country and even though both, my father and mother, are German I don’t feel really connected to that cutlure at all…), grew up in Venezuela, then back to Germany. Since leaving high school I lived in Japan, Bolivia, South Korea and now New Zealand. Even though NZ is not my ‘home’ (in the sense of belonging) I made it my ‘base’ in this world. Hope to also connect to many TCKs living in NZ!

  75. Einar Belck-Olsen Said,

    @

    Yes, I’m ready.

    I’ve been reaching out for many years, so I guess it’s time to get the formalities in order. I’m a MK, or TCK, from Norway. I grew up in Perú and my family and the other families (many of with are missionarys) in our local christian fellowship her in Norway help immigrants and foreigners all the time.

    I haven’t decided who or how many I’m going to challange yet, but I’m meeting a bunch of TCKs and missionays on sunday. I should at least get one of them to join in the challange.

  76. Inge Said,

    @

    Ok this will be a real challenge as i live in a small rural town in New Zealand where things are “the same as they ever were” so a real challenge for any TCK, however there are new comers to the area and i will target them.
    Hope to connect with Ute – also in NZ.

  77. Keith Said,

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    I’m with you Brice! Will surely spread this awesome link out for more to join in. And I ‘ll surely tell my 3 TCKs know about this great site for them. we are currently in Port Coquitlam, lowermainland of Vancouver.

  78. Tsung Lung Shyu Said,

    @

    Hi there!

    I am committed, but I do not know where to find these people! It seems that most of my friends in Germany, where I am living now, are secure with their own identity! I am the lost one here! haha!

    I was born in Taiwan, raised in Panama (and for five years in Taiwan in between). Later moved to England for studies and now living in Germany for more studies. Home is however now located in Brazil where my family are living. Shelter, apart from Germany, is now Italy where my sister is living.

    I identify with people who are compassionate and loving. I am especially orientated towards buddhist, confucianistic and taoist values. Grewing up in the western world, having at the same time a strict traditionalist educations, cultural clashes and confusions were the result. I am now however more sure of my values, more faith in my values, which makes me stiller, calmer.

  79. Wendy Said,

    @

    I am a domestic TCK. What a revelation. I am ready.

  80. How to help TCKid | TCKID 2.0 Said,

    @

    [...] Take the Belonging Challenge: Help 1 person find a sense of belonging [...]

  81. Liliana Said,

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    Yes, somehow I am ready, I stumbled upon this blog and realized that the first step to get answers is making the right questions. I want to share this challenge with my son who’s also of mixed heritage.

  82. I Said,

    @

    Ready!

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