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Hello, and welcome to mkPLANET!
The idea for mkPLANET came to me when I was 22 years old as I was traveling through Germany and Austria, the countries where I spent my childhood as an MK. When a friend told me about some information about Third Culture Kids (TCKs), my eyes were opened to the ways in which relocating between cultures as a child have influenced me over the years. So I wanted to meet other MKs, and four years later mkPLANET was finally up!
I hope you enjoy everything our site has to offer, and I look forward to meeting you!
~ Dana
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A missionary kid is someone who accompanies his or her parents to the mission field in a culture other than the parents' home culture. Every MK's experience is unique! - They may live abroad for as little as one year or as many as twenty years.
- Some attend international schools or boarding schools, while others attend local schools.
- Some have regular contact with family or friends in the home culture, while others do not.
- Some MKs are familiar with their home culture before leaving it behind, while for others the host culture is the first one they experience.
- Some MKs move to several different host cultures, while others will only experience one.
All of these factors influence an MK’s sense of personal and cultural identity.
MKs are part of a group called Third Culture Kids (TCKs) along with other globally mobile kids: Children of diplomats, military personnel, and others. According to David Pollock of Interaction International,
"A Third-Culture Kid (TCK, also known as Trans-Culture Kid) is 'an individual who, having spent a significant part of the developmental years in a culture other than the parents' culture, develops a sense of relationship to all of the cultures while not having full ownership in any. Elements from each culture are incorporated into the life experience, but the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar experience.' --David Pollock, Interaction Director" - from Interaction International
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- It’s the best way for MKs and adult MKs to meet others like ourselves.
- Many of us want a place in which to meet other MKs with the potential to make lasting and meaningful connections.
- The MK lifestyle has given us a unique skill set and worldview, and together we can find ways to use these skills for a common cause.
- We want access to up to date information on MK and TCK topics, and other cultural and global issues.
- The spiritual nature of MK life can impact one’s experience either very positively or negatively. It is important to have a safe place in which to explore these and other topics openly.
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- Current, former and adult MKs
- Parents, families, spouses, and friends of MKs
- Sending organizations seeking to support employees and their families
- International schools with MKs as part of the student body
- Agencies providing support to MKs
- Anyone wondering about MK life, raising or supporting MKs
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| Membership is free, which benefits everyone. But the main advantage of being a member is that you become part of a community of people who understand the experiences you've gone through as an MK. |
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