"Home Keeps Moving"

My name is Heidi Sand-Hart, first-time published author who currently lives in London.

My parents are from Norway and Finland but I grew up in India, England and Norway because I'm a missionary kid. I have recently completed a book about being a Third Culture Kid*. My book, Home Keeps Moving, was published in America this summer, by McDougal Publishing.

Home Keeps Moving tackles the struggles and challenges faced by cross-cultural individuals trying to grasp an understanding of who they are and how they fit into their current society. The book offers insight into growing up in multiple worlds. With books such as "Jungle Child" (Kuegler) breaking into the mainstream, this topic is receiving far more exposure and media attention around the world these days so the timing is right. It is a rare personal approach on a subject that has, up until now, been mostly theoretical.


*“A third culture kid is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside their parents’ culture. The third culture kid builds relationships to all the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the third culture kid’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of the same background, other TCKs.”. - Ruth E. Van Reken.

Military Brats, Inc. receives IRS approval

It's official! Military Brats, Inc. is now recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The purpose is to preserve and promote the culture and history of Military Brats. Check out www.MilitaryBratsInc.org
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New law makes changing schools easier for children of military parents

Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 11:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 11:14 a.m.

MONTGOMERY - Military brats understand the hassles associated with transferring to a new school especially in the middle of a school year.

A law signed today by Gov. Bob Riley is designed to ease the transition.

Alabama becomes the 19th state to join the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunities for Military Children.

The legislation sponsored by Democratic Rep. Craig Ford of Gadsden and Democratic Sen. Ted Little of Auburn would allow Alabama to work with other states to reconcile variations in graduation requirements and other school issues.

Air Force Lt. General Al Peck, commander of Air University, said the new law would assist school-age children transition into and out of Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base every year.

The Wanderer: Life as Military Child

By Debra Lu Kaiser

I was born in Biloxi, Mississippi. My father was an Army man of just a year at that time. The next few years of my life we lived in Prum, Germany. Then it was back to the U.S. My mother was pregnant with my brother at the time we flew back. It was illegal for a pregnant military wife to fly, so my brother flew home illegally before he was even born!

My father then enlisted in the Air Force when his Army duty ended. As we visited my grandmother in Nebraska, she was charmed with the way I said “Auf Wiedersehen.” That simple German word for goodbye defined much of my life from then on. We went to California to get settled, then to Wichita Falls, Texas for my dad’s training; then back to California for his assignment.

The very first clear memory I have is wandering lost among the Texas weeds that were taller than my three year old body. My next memory was getting lost trying to find my way home from school the first day of Kindergarten. Interestingly, these earliest memories formed a metaphor for my childhood.

The full story is available at Nancy Gonzalez's Blog

TCK Research Study

I am conducting my thesis work in Psychology. This is the second part of a two phase study that I welcome you to take part in. You do not have to complete the first part to participate.

http://silicon.network.ncf.edu/ingmar.gorman/tck_test/

A research team from the New College of Florida is looking to examine the effects of a multicultural environment on human psychology. We are particularly interested in individuals who have experienced high mobility, although this is not a requirement for participation. We hope this research will further the understanding of human development and support positive outcomes of a multicultural upbringing.

After completion of the survey you will be given instructions on how to receive the results of the study once it is finished. This study is anonymous and has been approved by an Institutional Review Board. If you have any questions about this research study, please contact Ingmar Gorman at ingmar.gorman (at) ncf.edu

Your participation will be most appreciated!"
Thank you! Ingmar Gorman

Educational Research Study

This summer I am conducting a survey researching third culture kids (TCKs) . Your participation and input as a military brat is needed! As a thank you, three Amazon gift cards will be given away in a drawing: two for the amount of $100 and one for $50.

Below is the survey link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=So_2f_2bbgA4ywiHkFA7bcFicw_3d_3d

The purpose of the survey is to collect information on the TCK experience regarding identity and belonging to produce a comprehensive, sociological study on the identity formation of TCKs.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me (the principal investigator) at Joy.Souligny@pepperdine.edu.

Thank you for your participation and helping out a fellow TCK! Feel free to pass on the link to other TCKs!

Joy Souligny

(approved by the Military Brats Registry)