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"Third Culture Kid"

Students in Moziako
Photo credit: Yasmin Dambo, Mozaiko Marketing Coordinator

I had been back in the U.S. for barely a week after living abroad for almost a decade when I desperately needed to figure out a living situation. I had taken two gap years after high school and was scared that if I moved into a regular residence hall, I would have trouble meeting people my age. I was afraid that I would feel too “international” in a regular dorm, but too American in an international dorm. I kept getting reminder emails to finish my housing application with the living-learning communities that I was interested in, when I finally decided to apply to Mozaiko.

I wasn’t sure if it was the best decision for me. I was afraid that I wouldn’t get the “normal college experience” that everyone talks about, and I doubted my chances of even getting accepted since I applied months later than everyone else, but it was a risk that seemed worth taking. And I’m so glad that I did. Being a part of Mozaiko gives me the opportunity to live the best of every world. I’ve gotten to know people from different ages, races, religions, countries, and even just majors that I’m not sure I would have met if it weren’t for Mozaiko. Not only am I getting to know these people, but we are living with each other, studying together, and interacting at all hours of the day. I live in a suite of six women who have a passion for four different languages. I have been able to get to know people who went to high school in Northern Virginia with thousands of students, a life I used to dream of living.

Studengts in Moziako
Photo credit: Yasmin Dambo, Mozaiko Marketing Coordinator

It hasn’t all been easy, though. Trying to make decisions and find compromises with people who have multiple different ideas on what is right, how to do things, and what is appropriate has been more difficult than I expected – and I grew up with an older brother. But it’s opened my eyes and my mind to so much more than I could ever imagine. It’s easy to say that you are tolerant and understanding of other people and other cultures, but it is one thing to live it and to feel yourself become a more accepting person. I’ve travelled to more than 25 countries in my life and I’ve lived in three, but I’ve never actually had the opportunity to live in an environment quite like Mozaiko.

We, as students, have come up with a biweekly event that we call “Controversial Conversations” where we come together in the evenings and discuss debated topics that may or may not affect our daily lives. Some topics have included interracial relationships, international adoptions, and interfaith friendships. I’ve learned that I have my beliefs and my values and you have yours and the person across from you has theirs and they may all be different, but that does not make mine better than yours, or yours better than mine. And I think that there is nothing more wonderful in the world than that. Life may be simpler, but it would be so much duller if we were all the same – and we would have nothing to learn from each other. I’m grateful for my 67 neighbors who have all taught me things about themselves while teaching me so much more about myself. I’m grateful for Virginia Tech for giving us a place to experience this, but most of all, I’m grateful for Mozaiko for giving me another home to add to my list.


Mozaiko is a global living-learning community designed for students from all majors who are interested in international affairs, service, or development; foreign language; and preparing for a lifetime of intercultural leadership. For more information on Mozaiko and other living-learning communities, visit the LLC page on the Housing and Residence Life website.

Nina Tarr

Nina Tarr, a "third culture kid" who grew up in Vicenza, Italy, is a freshman majoring in Human Development. Her strengths are Input, Activator, Communication, Individualization, and Developer.