For third culture kids (TCKs), the question “Where are you from?” is often complicated. Growing up across cultures brings adaptability, but it also comes with challenges of identity and belonging. These same questions; Who am I? Where do I belong? are ones many young people wrestle with in our increasingly globalized world.

The outdoors offers something unique: a space free of labels, passports, and performance. On a mountain trail, in the surf, or around a campfire, cultural differences fade. Students discover that their identity is not defined by nationality or accent, but by how they show up, connect, and support one another.

This interactive workshop will explore how outdoor education can serve as a powerful platform for identity exploration and resilience-building among third culture students. Through personal stories, research insights, and practical activities, we will examine how shared challenge and community in the outdoors help students (and adults alike) move beyond labels to find belonging.

By the end of this 60-minute session, participants will:

• Understand the unique identity challenges faced by third culture students in international school settings.
• Recognize how outdoor education environments mirror the transitions and uncertainties TCKs experience in life.
• Explore practical facilitation strategies that create belonging, connection, and identity exploration in outdoor programs.
• Reflect on their own role as educators/facilitators in shaping experiences where identity becomes fluid, positive, and empowering.