Our founder, James Hourihan, is a Third Culture Kid himself. Having spent his developmental years navigating different cultures, he personally understands the complex identity formation, "rootlessness," and social adjustments these students face.
This isn't just academic theory to us. JL Academy's training is built on genuine empathy and a deep understanding of the "hidden curriculum" of expat life.
The life of an international student is often perceived as one of global adventure. However, the reality involves unique hurdles in identity formation, social adjustment, and emotional stability.
JL Academy understands that international schools face behavioural challenges distinct from domestic environments.
Living between cultures can lead to a sense of "belonging everywhere and nowhere." Students may struggle to define their cultural identity, feeling like outsiders in both their passport country and their host country.
Frequent relocations mean friendships are often transient. While TCKs develop high adaptability, they may resist deep emotional investment in peers, knowing that another move might be imminent.
Navigating varying curricula, teaching styles, and language barriers creates cumulative stress. Even for culturally adept students, the pressure to constantly readjust academically is considerable.
Cumulative stress in TCKs can manifest as behavioural issues often labelled as "disruptive." Research identifies specific emotional responses to international relocation that staff must be trained to recognise:
We provide the framework to turn these challenges into resilience. Our training is adapted to address the specific needs of transient student populations.
Addressing Loss: Training staff to validate experiences of transition and loss. Moving beyond "behaviour management" to understand the grief underlying disruptive actions.
Creating Belonging: Building classroom cultures where students feel safe to contribute despite language barriers or cultural ambiguity.
Positive Support: Strategies to support students who may be "lashing out" due to the inability to articulate their distress over relocation.
We Go Where You Are: From the UK to the Falklands and the Middle East, JL Academy has extensive experience delivering on-site training to international faculties.
Contact us to discuss a bespoke pastoral or behavioural training package for your school.
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