Navigating the World as an Adult Cross-Cultural Kid

When identity doesn’t stay in the background

As an adult cross-cultural kid (ACCK), I have often reflected on how something that shaped my childhood continues to show up in my life today.

It doesn’t always appear in obvious ways.
But it is there- in how I read situations, relate to others, and make sense of where I belong.

At work

In professional environments, I notice how being cross-cultural shapes how I move.

How I adapt.
How I communicate.
How quickly I pick up on what is expected, even when it is not said out loud.

There is a certain ease in navigating different ways of working.

At the same time, I find myself noticing when certain ways of being are valued more than others - and adjusting in response to that.

In relationships

In relationships, it continues to show up in more subtle ways.

In expectations around communication.
Around family.
Around what feels natural, and what requires more explanation.

I often find myself holding different perspectives at once, trying to understand both my own position and that of the other person.

Sometimes that creates connection.
Other times it requires more negotiation than expected.

Thinking about parenthood

Even though I am not a parent, I find myself reflecting on what this might mean in that context.

What of my multi-layered identity and cultural background would I pass on?
What might I choose to adapt - especially thinking about what my parents had to navigate when moving to Norway?

And I also wonder what becoming a parent might bring to the surface.

What kinds of feelings and experiences connected to being cross-cultural might return, or take on new meaning.

Living with what continues

Being cross-cultural as an adult is not something that belongs only to the past.

It continues to show up - in small, everyday ways.

In how I understand situations.
In how I respond.
In how I continue to make sense of myself in relation to the world around me.

It is less about choosing one identity over another, and more about learning to live with what continues to be layered, shifting, and present.

Stay connected 

If you’d like to explore this from another angle, I invite you to listen to this episode of The Everyday Global Citizen Podcast🎙️.

You’re also very welcome to join my monthly newsletter for more reflections on global citizenship and global parenting. You can sign up 👉🏽[here]

And if you’re looking for a place to start, I’ve created a free guide with five simple steps to support your child’s empathy, understanding, and confidence in a diverse world. You can download it [here] 📩