In places like Dubai and across the UAE, geographical boundaries are no longer as relevant as they once were. There are few reasons for this. One is increased globalization, which leads to more migration for jobs and opportunities. Another is that more innovative technology make it easier for people to move from one place to another. In the UAE, the number of expatriates sits at 88 percent of the population.1 This is the second highest concentration in the world. One of the natural consequences of these is that there are a lot of families who end up raising third-culture kids.
What are the characteristics of third-culture kids?
Third-culture kids is a term used to describe people who grew up exposed to multiple cultures. These kids grow up in a country different from their parents. As a result, they tend to aggregate what they learn about culture from three sources: their parents or their home country, the new country they are in, and their experiences as expatriates.2 This blending is what gives rise to third-culture kids.
Children growing up in diverse, international settings like Dubai are often exposed to a wide range of cultures and perspectives. This experience tends to make them more open-minded and tolerant of different beliefs and worldviews. Living in varied environments can also strengthen their adaptability and ability to navigate change.
However, third-culture kids also face unique challenges. They can feel a sense of isolation because they don’t fit in easily. It can also lead to difficulties when forming identities. Children who are products of a third culture might also experience separation from their friends and family, which can cause grief and anger.
Why is resilience important?
According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is the “process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” In simpler terms, it is the ability to rise to the occasion when adversity occurs.
For children, resilience is important because childhood can be quite difficult. Adults tend to associate this time with a carefree, easy experience. Bills are non-existent. Work is a faraway concept. What is there to stress over?
In reality, children also face plenty of stressors. The stress becomes more pronounced if a child already feels alienated or isolated, such as in the case of some third-culture kids.
Examples of these are classroom pressures, bullying, and strained family relationships. Even the most ideal childhood inevitably contains feelings like sadness or hurt. However, the difference is how the child faces these challenges. A resilient child can thrive despite these circumstances.
How can resilience be developed?
The first thing to consider is that resilience is a skill. Some people may have a natural propensity for it, but for those who do not, it can be learned.3 There is evidence that shows resilience is a “dynamic process” that involves evolving and adapting to circumstances.4
For third-culture kids who may be struggling, this means that they can work towards increasing their resilience so they can thrive in situations unique to their situation. Parents with struggling children can help provide support through the following ways:
Surround them with supportive people.
Resilience does not grow in isolation. For a child to be more resilient, there should be enough opportunities to build the skill. A group of friends, parents, or even a trusted mental health professional can provide appropriate responses that will protect the child from developmental disruptions.5
Kids may feel more comfortable with other people who they share characteristics with. This could refer to fellow kids of expatriates. It can also mean feeling more connected to people from their home country.
Help children find meaning in various situations.
One of the most famous studies on resilience is the Kauai study. In 1955, two psychologists, Emmy Werner and Ruth Smith, studied children born in Kauai. These children were from difficult backgrounds and encountered many challenges in life.
However, some individuals turned their lives around later on in life. Werner and Smith found out that they experienced turning points, such as marrying a stable spouse, joining the military, or pursuing their education. These events weren’t limited to positive experiences either. Some went through illnesses or accidents.6
From this study, experts conclude there is no one pathway towards resilience. It can be from seeking out and experiencing new opportunities. It can also be from finding meaning in adversity. In both situations, the child can benefit from guidance from others.
Teach children how to accept change.
If the child is already struggling with the different cultures he or she is exposed to, the last thing they probably want to hear is that change is inevitable. It can be quite scary, especially when the third-culture child craves stability.
Support the child by assuring that change is a part of life and that they can adapt. You can also help them come up with an action plan. For example, the child can maintain routines so they have something to anchor them while experiencing new things. At the same time, parents can discuss how these difficulties can be opportunities for self-discovery and growth.
Conclusion: Resilient kids can thrive anywhere
Of course, children don’t get to choose the circumstances they grow up in. For those born or raised away from their parents’ home countries – as is often the case in the UAE – this reality can feel like a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers rich exposure to new cultures, languages, food, education, and relationships. It can be a wonderful, broadening experience. On the other hand, third-culture kids may struggle to fully belong anywhere. Some describe feeling as though they are neither entirely here nor there.
Resilience can help channel this unique experience into something positive. It is a trait that lets a person thrive even when the circumstances are not the most ideal. In a diverse and transient place like Dubai, teaching resilience to children is especially important. It is a personal journey that relies on a solid support system – including, when needed, guidance from professional mental health experts – to help them navigate their path.
Cited Sources:
- Central Intelligence Agency. (2025, July 8). United Arab Emirates. In The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-arab-emirates/ ↩︎
- Pollock, D. C., Van Reken, R. E., and Pollock, M. V. (2010). Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing up Among Worlds: The original, Classic Book on TCKs. Hachette UK. ↩︎
- Source: Julien-Chinn F, Carpenter DA, Masuda C, Seabury AAA, Maldonado F, Mau MKLM. Building Resilience in Medical Students: “Strengthening You to Strengthen Them”. Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2024 Nov;83(11):300-305. doi: 10.62547/GTPT8844. PMID: 39493648; PMCID: PMC11519900. ↩︎
- Aburn G, Gott M, Hoare K. What is resilience? An Integrative Review of the empirical literature. J Adv Nurs. 2016 May;72(5):980-1000. doi: 10.1111/jan.12888. Epub 2016 Jan 7. PMID: 26748456. ↩︎
- Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2015, May 20). InBrief: The science of resilience. Retrieved July 14, 2025, from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/inbriefs/inbrief‑the‑science‑of‑resilience/ ↩︎
- Werner, E. E., & Smith, R. S. (2001). Journeys from childhood to midlife: Risk, resilience, and recovery. Cornell University Press. ↩︎