That we connected immediately came as no great surprise: we are both Third Culture Kids (or TCK’s). Sociologist Dr. Ruth Useem (Michigan State University) was the first to coin the term. The late David Pollock who, along with Ruth co-authored the above-mentioned seminal work defines TCK as “a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture(s). Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background.”

If TCK is any indication of the kid in Ruth it certainly came out in her occasional use of “cool” and the wonderful twinkle in her eye. More than twenty years my senior she still travels far and wide speaking to audiences varying from A to Z. 

I asked her if since David Pollock’s passing two years ago she sees herself as the prime spokesperson of TCK issues. “I am the last of the first generation [to research and promote] these issues.” Today there’s a second generation, many with  Ph.D.’s in the field and doing some great research and speaking.

It was a lovely day, so we decided to take our interview outside where the last clumps of snow were still fighting for survival in the shade of a pine grove. I informed Ruth that Oulu is a leading center of technology in the far north. Although communications technology is constantly making our world smaller, in human relationships, what makes a good communicator? “Someone who listens,” she was quick to reply, “but also, I think, someone who understands that despite the cultural differences, there are some communalities of being human that are universal, and in those is the fact that we all need relationships.” A smile is so important and can sometimes effect more than words. Ruth sees that in such multi-cultural nations as the U.S. there is an overemphasis on culture with such a fear of offending the other. On the contrary she would like to see differences viewed as interesting rather than as scary.

Then I asked where she saw globalization (one of my pet topics) taking the world. “We’re going to have to find new ways to define belonging and culture.” Race, nationality, ethnicity no longer suffice [if ever they did]. With many large nations displaying an entire array of different cultures there is too much expended on trying to fix the external differences. Ruth is convinced there are better ways to define the broader and deeper mass of the famous Kohl/Weaver iceberg. One of the contexts which calls for intense focus is belonging. Ruth then concluded with a warning:  failure to change focus could lead to greater divisions in society, as people sense they are losing a part of themselves. 

Finally, I had to ask if this was her first time in Finland. Yes. First impressions of Oulu? Both the Vantaa and Oulu airports are not inside big cities; they’re surrounded by fields and forests, not that unlike airfields in Africa (where Ruth grew up). She was struck by the low population density and the clean, crisp May air.  And the taxi vans are quite luxurious, functional. “Käytännöllinen,” practical, one of my favorite Finnish words. 

Not so unlike my first -- and lasting -- impressions of this land.

Watch the interview with Ruth E. Van Reken - A Video Clip - Edited by Bastian Fähnrich for Test Purposes, through Participation in a Research Project of Carolina Rosa at the Univeristy of Oulu.