By: Kendall Weishaupt
Andrei Smoler Coelho, a film theory graduate student and graduate assistant, defines himself as a Third Culture Kid (TCK). A TCK is a person who has spent a significant amount of their developmental years outside of their parents’ culture. He was born in Brazil and has lived in three countries, 14 cities and moved 24 times within those cities.
As a TCK, there is a lot of uncertainty around where you could go next while trying to understand your identity. When Smoler started his undergraduate degree, he went to a seminar about multiculturalism. This seminar addressed the topic of TCKs. Smoler talked to the speaker afterward and that is when he found an identity as a TCK. He realized his experience is one that many others go through.
It was difficult at first for Smoler when he first arrived at CMU because of the difference between American universities and Brazilian universities. In his experience, CMU has been a welcoming place for international students, and it helped him integrate into the culture. Michigan is a more traditionally American state compared to other states Smoler has lived in the U.S., and he feels CMU has gone out of its way to make it a safe and welcoming environment.
He explained how many TCKs can feel left out and as if they are not part of the larger culture, so resources like Culturs are a great way to bridge the gap. Culturs is helpful for multicultural people to see stories like theirs and a good way for others to learn about hidden diversity and multicultural experiences.
Smoler explained, “I am at a point where I am comfortable with who I am as a TCK and I accept it and use it to my advantage.”