Many of us grew up navigating multiple worlds: the one at home, with the culture and traditions of our parents, and the one outside, dominated by a different set of customs, language, and expectations. For many, this intersection creates what sociologists call a “third culture”—a space that blends aspects of multiple identities while often feeling distinct from them all.
The term “third culture kids” (TCKs) was first coined in the 1950s by sociologist Ruth Hill Useem to describe children raised in a culture different from their parents due to global mobility. Over time, the concept has expanded, resonating with children of immigrants, expatriates, and others navigating cross-cultural realities.
When I sat down with journalist Layla Maghribi to discuss her experiences as a third culture individual, I found her insights to be both interesting and relatable. Raised in London by Arab parents of Syrian, Libyan, and Palestinian heritage, Layla described growing up between the vibrant traditions of her Middle Eastern roots and the British culture surrounding her.
“It’s like living in two parallel worlds that rarely meet,” Layla said. “At home, it was all Arabic language, food, and customs. Outside, it was something entirely different.”
A life bridging cultures
Layla’s upbringing was rich in cultural exposure but filled with the complexities of belonging. Summers spent in Damascus with extended family provided a deep connection to her roots, but these experiences contrasted sharply with her day-to-day life in London, where she was often one of the few Arabs in her social circles.
“I was always aware of how different my life was compared to my cousins back home,” she recalled during our conversation. “They had large, close-knit communities, while we were just a small nuclear family in the UK.”
This duality informed her identity and fueled a sense of responsibility to bridge understanding between the cultures she inhabited. “I felt the need to showcase the richness and diversity of our world to counterbalance the narrow portrayals in mainstream media,” she said. From inviting friends over to share Arab cuisine to doing school presentations on traditional dress, Layla found ways to act as a cultural ambassador. “We deserve to have our stories out there influencing others. That’s how judgements and policies are formed and that’s what we need to impact.”
Layla’s family history also played a significant role in shaping her perspective. Her father’s life was marked by resilience and activism, having been a political dissident and former prime minister in Libya before going into exile. “Growing up with stories of his revolutionary politics and the sacrifices he made gave me a deep sense of responsibility,” she shared. These narratives and lived experiences of displacement, resistance, and dedication to justice influenced her own drive to amplify underrepresented voices.
The mental health impact of Third Culture living
While the third culture experience can create adaptability and global awareness, it also brings challenges. “There was a rootlessness, a constant feeling of not fully belonging anywhere,” Layla shared. This sense of in betweenness often led to anxiety, compounded by geopolitical events that disrupted her family’s ties to their homelands.
“I’d grieve for things I never really had,” she said, “like visiting my father’s birthplace, or experiencing the stability of a shared extended family.”
These emotions became a catalyst for action. Layla’s podcast, Third Culture Therapy, was born out of her desire to explore and validate the unique mental health challenges faced by third culture and diaspora communities. “I wanted to create a space where these experiences are deeply understood and shared,” she explained. The podcast has since become a platform for diverse voices, highlighting both common struggles and unique paths to healing.
Through the podcast, Layla has engaged with guests who embody the duality of third-culture mental health. In Episode 19, Dr. Alexandra Chen, a child psychologist and humanitarian from Hong Kong who worked in the Arab world, reflected on how different cultural influences shaped her understanding of well-being. “From the Chinese, I got the understanding that there’s a time and place for everything… the idea of seasons and that we shouldn’t really expect all things to be the same all the time,” she shared. “From the Arab world, I learned the culturally opposite expressive and tactile way that they express love to one another.”
In Episode 22, Layla spoke with Punjabi-English writer and actor Jassa Ahluwalia, who coined the phrase “both, not half” to describe his mixed identity. As a white-presenting Asian, Jassa’s story challenged common narratives about racial belonging. “We are more accustomed to hearing how POCs are rejected from certain white communities than the other way around,” Layla observed, “but Jassa also acknowledged how his whiteness afforded him privileges as an actor that other more obvious Asians wouldn’t have necessarily had.”
Lessons from the Third Culture experience
Layla’s journey highlights the importance of community and representation in mental well-being. “Seeing yourself in others can reduce shame and isolation,” she emphasized. For third culture individuals, finding community—whether through storytelling, cultural rituals, or connections with others who share similar backgrounds—is vital.
“Every culture has its own ways of healing, and often they start with community,” she said. For Layla, this has included everything from reconnecting with Arab music to exploring breathwork and mindfulness practices. She encourages others to embrace all facets of their identity. “Honor every part of who you are,” she advised. “Create rituals that blend your traditions or simply find solace in things that ground you.”
Healing through representation
Representation matters, especially when navigating identity and mental health. Layla’s podcast is a testament to this. “It’s about building a space where people from non-dominant cultures feel seen and heard,” she explained. From activists to mental health professionals, her guests share their stories of resilience and belonging.
By exploring the intersections of culture and mental health, Third Culture Therapy has become more than a podcast; “I want it to be a resource for anyone feeling alone in their experiences,” Layla said, “because there is strength in knowing you’re not the only one.”
For more intersectional stories tune in to Layla’s Third Culture Therapy podcast.
