Third Culture Kids / Global Nomads

History and Goals:

The TCK board was first created in the Fall of 2001. The board meets once a week, and the members serve as advisors who generate ideas and plans that the TCK intern will then set in motion. The board’s main goal is to promote events and advise the TCK intern on projects that they feel will be most effective and support the cause of the TCK group.

Get Involved:

If you are interested in being a member, please e-mail the TCK Intern, Anna Lyubinina at tck@lclark.edu or come to the International Students and Scholars office located on the 3rd floor of Templeton, above the student government offices!

TCK Board Members 2017-2018

 Rosemary Arends (’19) is a junior from Saint Paul, Minnesota. She spent her first couple months of life living in Ukraine, then Minnesota for about 7 years before a business venture for her father swept her family all the way to Moscow, Russia for around 3 years. Having been state-side for a couple of years now, Rosemary is always eager to travel. She speaks English, Spanish, and Russian. She is planning on majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics with a Russian minor and a Political Science minor. She has participated in two study abroad trips, having just returned from spending her summer studying Russian in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Rosemary spends most of her time reading world news stories, baking with her roommate, watching crime dramas, cuddling with her cat, and drinking tea.

Anna Lyubinina (’19) was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and moved to Walnut Creek, California at the age of four. She lived in the East Bay Area for fifteen years with her Ukrainian parents, American-born younger brother, and parakeet named Taco. Anna is fluent in Russian and English, and speaks some Spanish, French, and Ukrainian as well. Additionally, she has a dual citizenship with Ukraine, and hopes to travel the world one day. Recently, Anna returned from an exciting semester studying in London. She is a third year student double majoring in Psychology and Mathematics/Computer Science, with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Innovation. She aims to become a researcher in the field of Psychiatry, and is currently doing research at OHSU on ADHD, as well as some research at LC with a professor on social cues in infants. Some of Anna’s hobbies include singing, dancing, playing the piano, pilates, yoga, floating the river, and baking. She is excited to be part of the TCK board for the third year.

Maddy Pedersen (’19) is from Seattle, Washington. She lived in Denmark for three years and England for three years as well, and is a dual citizen with Denmark. She’s a first year student at Lewis & Clark College, and she plans to major in either History or English. She hopes to study abroad while a student and is looking at the Greece program. She loves to read, travel, watch movies and TV, and to pet dogs.

Mike Lewis (’19) is a junior Economics major. Born to a Texan father and Chinese mother, Mike moved to Shanghai, China at the age of two and spent the next 16 years of his life there. Now back in his hometown, Mike is eager to experience life in the U.S. He enjoys watching and playing sports, working with electronics and playing video games. Mike is fluent in English and Mandarin.

Ary Hashim (’20) was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has a Chindian mother (Chinese mixed with Indian bloodlines), an American Malaysian father, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. He was in an International School for many years and eventually moved to a British college during his formative years. His father graduated from a top US university, which prompted Ary to inherit the mantle and act as the pioneering eldest son in his pursuit of higher education through the rigorous US university curriculum. He has considered and finds it very likely that economics would be his major and is also considering theatre as a minor. Ary loves conservation work and hopes to be back in Lang Tengah island to further his efforts in preserving the heritage of endangered turtle species. 

Jaweal Hakoum (’20) was born and raised in Syria, and moved to Oregon at the age of 13. She graduated from David Douglas High School in 2016. Jaweal is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience. She would like to become a Dentist in the future. Additionally, she is fluent in both English and Arabic. During her spare time, she enjoys watching comedy series, reading, hanging out with friends, and occasionally tutoring Arabic. In the past five years, she has adopted a few American values, however her culture remains a huge part of her identity. She is very thrilled to learn more about the cultures and people here at LC!

Ellen Richards (’20) is a sophomore from Falls Church Virginia, right outside DC. She was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and since then has lived in Uganda, India, the Philippines, and most recently Shanghai, China. She graduated high school with an IB diploma from Shanghai American School, Puxi Campus. She wrote her IB extended essay on the effect the Third Culture lifestyle has on TCKs’ later life decisions. She is planning on majoring in Biology and possibly computer science, but is also taking Spanish and Chinese language courses while here at LC.

Thea Spindel (’20) is a Sophomore Biochemistry and Hispanic studies double major. She was born in Oakland, California where her parents were professors/research scientists. She moved to Quito, Ecuador for a year when she was 4 because parents were doing research. When she was eight she moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan also due to her parent’s jobs. Her Junior year of high school she lived in Mexico City where she lived with a family and attended a Spanish speaking school while her mom was doing research in Mexico City. She loves traveling to new places and learning about the food and different aspects of life each place has. After she graduates she hopes to travel around the world for a year and eventually go to medical school. 

Natalia Thorup Damonte (’21) was born in Lima, Peru and has been raised in many countries around the world. Due to her father’s work at an NGO she grew up all over the world in Peru, Armenia, Baltimore, San Diego, Malawi, Guatemala and Kenya. Her mother is Peruvian and her father is from the USA. She is fluent in both Spanish and English and is learning French. She is undecided in her major but loves both International Relations and Biology. She hopes to have a job that allows her to continue to travel and wants to see as much of the world as possible. She loves animals, reading and music.

Natalie Klee (’21) was born in the Czech Republic, but moved to California at the tender age of nine months old. She returned to the Czech Republic after seven years. Here she graduated from high school and knew exactly where to go for college - back to the US! Now at LC, she plans to major in Biology. She loves animals, trips to the ocean and most often spends time watching Netflix with friends, drawing and exploring Tryon Creek.