The Hidden Diversity of International Chinese Parents and Children

🏮 There are a lot of “hidden immigrants” among the international students, parents, and teachers we know in Singapore - for example, Chinese families who have moved to Singapore with their children. They might look like they are at home in Singapore at first glance. But they are not Singaporean and they think and act differently than the host culture of Singapore. When the children enter international schools, they are interacting and learning with yet another culture, since most of Singapore’s international schools have British or American curriculums and customs. International school teachers are a diverse bunch as well, with a large proportion of non-Asians - students need to work with them and adapt to their classroom cultures.

What does this mean for international Chinese families and students?

⭕ International Chinese students may find themselves not quite at home in Singapore or in their international schools. They may choose to mirror others around them to try to fit in, or they may choose to disassociate from others who look like them in order to stand out. Many international families are highly mobile, so making friends can be hard when they never know how long they or their friends will be in Singapore. International school structures are very different from Chinese schools

⭕ International Chinese parents may find a group of Chinese expats where they feel like they belong, while not feeling completely comfortable elsewhere. It can feel as though your children are growing up in a very different culture from your own, and the other adults in your child’s life are influencing them in ways you don’t fully see.

💡 How can international schools and Chinese families work together better?

Both schools and parents benefit from discussing and learning about their cultural similarities and differences. What are our priorities for the children in our care? What do we most value about our relationships with each other? How can we leverage the different messages we give our children and in what ways do they contradict and reinforce each other?

We run workshops for international parents and international schools about cross-cultural communication. Reach out to hear more.

🏮 As as international person, what has been your experience?

🏮 Are you a “hidden immigrant”, or are you in one or more of the other boxes?

🏮 Who around you might be a “hidden immigrant”?

Image source: Third Culture Kids by David C Pollock, Ruth Van Reken, and Michael V Pollock.