Books for Adults

Book list for internationally mobile adults

Scroll through this list of books on various topics, or jump to a topic by clicking on one of these links:

Books on Moving Internationally

Cross-Cultural Connections: Stepping Out and Fitting in Around the World by Duane Elmer (InterVarsity Press, 2002) ISBN: 0-8308-2309-3

This book provides a practical compass that will help readers navigate in other cultures. It will help people avoid cultural faux pas and pitfalls as well as equip them to build effective cross-cultural relationships. This practical resource will help readers avoid entering with an attitude of cultural superiority and show them how to effectively enter a culture as Christ’s ambassador.

Moving with Kids: 25 Ways to Ease Your Family's Transition to a New Home by Lori Collins Bergen (The Harvard Common Press, 2007) ISBN: 1-5583-2343-0
The Art of Crossing Cultures by Craig Storti (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2007) ISBN: 1-9319-3053-8

One of the major challenges that come with any international move is adjusting to a new culture and getting along with the people of that culture. These are often the issues that can blind-side people as they transition. This book helps readers understand what it will take to successfully enter a new culture.

Families on the Move: Growing Up Overseas-and Loving It! by Marion Knell (Kregel Publications, 2003) ISBN: 0-8254-6018-2

Today, more families raise their children outside of their passport culture than ever before. This book is designed to help parents guide their children/teens through the challenges and opportunities that come as part of the third culture kid experience.

A Portable Identity: A Woman's Guide to Maintaining a Sense of Self While Moving Overseas (Revised Edition) by Debra R. Bryson and Charise M. Hoge (Transition Press International, 2005) ISBN: 0-9765-6820-9
Figuring Foreigners Out: A Practical Guide by Craig Storti (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 1998) ISBN: 1-8778-6470-6

This workbook can help equip people to cope with the cultural differences they will face in foreign cultures. This resource is very user-friendly, practical and applies to everyday situations people will face as they live and work in cultures around the world.

Survival Kit for Living Overseas: For Americans Planning to Live and Work Abroad by Robert Kohls (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2001) ISBN: 1-8578-8292-X

This book provides straightforward information about the challenges that come with moving to a new country such as culture shock, misperceptions, misunderstandings, etc. It helps readers develop the tools needed to overcome obstacles and have a successful overseas experience.

Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot - And Cold - Climate Cultures by Sarah A. Lanier (McDougal Publishing Company, 2000) ISBN: 1-5815-8022-3

This well-written, well-researched book will help the reader understand cultures. It will expand anyone’s appreciation of other cultures as well as their understanding of those cultures. This is one of the resources that someone should read before leaving.

The Truth About Moving Abroad and Whether It's Right for You: Should I Stay or Should I Go? by Paul Allen (Summertime, 2010) ISBN: 1-9074-9800-1
The Expert Expat, Revised Edition: Your Guide to Successful Relocation Abroad by Melissa Brayer Hess and Patricia Linderman (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2007) ISBN: 1-8578-8384-5

Whether moving as an individual or as a family, this book provides advice and encouragement to help ease the challenges that come with relocating internationally. This book addresses practical issues (such as networking, establishing a home, traveling alone, identity theft, terrorism, etc.) as well as equips readers to develop rewarding experiences as they live outside their passport culture.

The Grown-up's Guide to Running Away from Home: Making a New Life Abroad by Roseanne Knorr (Ten Speed Press, 2008) ISBN: 1-5800-8873-2
Getting Out: Your Guide to Leaving America (Updated and Expanded Edition) by Mark Ehrman (Process, 2012) ISBN: 1-9341-7029-1

Books on Living Internationally

Expat Life: Slice by Slice by Apple Gidley (Summertime, 2012) ISBN: 1-9048-8171-8
Expat: Women's True Tales of Life Abroad by Christina Henry de Tessan (Avalon Publishing Group, 2002) ISBN: 1-5800-5070-0
A Broad Abroad: The Expat Wife's Guide to Successful Living Abroad by Robin Pascoe (Expatriate Press Limited, 2009) ISBN: 0-9686-7605-7
Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind (Third Edition) by Geert Hofstede, Gert Jan Hofstede, and Michael Minkov (McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, 2010) ISBN: 0-0716-6418-1

Books on Re-Entry

The Art of Coming Home by Craig Storti (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2001) ISBN: 1-9319-3014-7

Expecting that home will be the way it was when you left? Are you instead shocked to discover that both you and home have changed? The Art of Coming Home offers the solid advice you need to reduce the stress of the transition experience. Veteran trainer, consultant and adventurer Craig Storti takes you step by step through the process of returning home after spending time abroad. A valuable resource for expatriates returning home, the families returning with them, their employers, and family and friends who want to understand and support their transition.

Burn up or Splash Down: Surviving the Culture Shock of Re-Entry by Marion Knell (InterVarsity Press, 2007) ISBN: 0-8308-5617-X

While people anticipate the changes that will come with moving out of their passport culture, they often are unaware of or underestimate the challenges they face returning to that culture. As a result, they may feel confused, frustrated or in a state of panic. This book will help people successfully navigate the challenges of re-entry and ease the challenges of transition.

Homeward Bound: A Spouse's Guide to Repatriation by Robin Pascoe (iUniverse, Inc., 2000) ISBN: 0-9686-7604-9
Welcome Home: Who are You? Tales of a Foreign Service Family by Gene and Kathryn Schmiel (Aletheia Publications, Inc., 1998) ISBN: 0-9639-2606-3
According to My Passport, I'm Coming Home by Kay Eakin

Click here to download the free full-length book from Foreign Service Youth Foundation

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Books on Parenting and Educating Third Culture Kids

Third Culture Kids: Growing up Among Worlds (3rd Edition) by David C. Pollock, Ruth Van Reken, and Michael Pollock (Nicholas Brealey; 3rd Edition, 2017) ISBN: 1473657660

In this 3rd edition of the ground-breaking, global classic, Ruth E. Van Reken and Michael V. Pollock, son of the late original co-author, David C. Pollock have significantly updated what is widely recognized as The TCK Bible. Emphasis is on the modern TCK and addressing the impact of technology, cultural complexity, diversity & inclusion and transitions. Includes new advice for parents and others for how to support TCKs as they navigate work, relationships, social settings and their own personal development.

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Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere: Insights into Counseling the Globally Mobile by Lois Bushong (Mango Tree Intercultural Services) ISBN: 0615696066

Bushong, a licensed marriage and family therapist, delves into this previously, unexplored world of how to effectively counsel clients raised outside of their parents' home culture. The readers will discover what are the basic characteristics and counseling skills effective with Third Culture Kids...The book is filled with practical examples, interesting stories, tips, charts, resources, theories, techniques and discussion questions for further study.

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Raising Global Nomads: Parenting Abroad in an On-Demand World by Robin Pascoe (Expatriate Press Limited, 2006) ISBN: 0-9686-7603-0
Writing Out of Limbo: International Childhoods, Global Nomads and Third Culture Kids by Gene H. Bell-Villada, Nina Sichel, Faith Eidse, and Elaine Neil Orr (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2011) ISBN: 1-4438-3360-6
The Global Nomad's Guide to University Transition by Tina L. Quick (Summertime, 2010) ISBN: 1-9048-8121-1
Of Many Lands: Journey of a Traveling Childhood by Sara Mansfield Taber (Foreign Service Youth Foundation, 1997) ISBN: 0-9658-5380-2 Publication
Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds (Revised Edition) by David C. Pollock and Ruth Van Reken (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2009) ISBN: 1-8578-8525-2
Strangers at Home: Essays on the Effects of Living Overseas and Coming "Home" to a Strange Land by Carolyn D. Smith (Aletheia Publications, Inc., 1996) ISBN: 0-9639-2604-7
Unrooted Childhoods: Memoirs of Growing Up Global by Faith Eidse and Nina Sichel (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2003) ISBN: 1-8578-8338-1
International Roaming: A Family Chasing Home Abroad by Frank A. Lucas (Frank\Lucas, 2012) ISBN: 0-6156-0246-0
The Globally Mobile Family's Guide to Educating Children Overseas by Karen Wrobbel (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2021) ISBN: 1666710229

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Third Culture Kids: The Children of Educators in International Schools by Dr. Ettie Zilber (John Catt Educational, 2009) ISBN: 1-9047-2475-2