Mu Kappa

Roberts Wesleyan University is proud to have a Mu Kappa chapter on campus to welcome and encourage American students who have grown up overseas as TCKS (Third Culture Kids). Whether you spent your whole life overseas or just a year or two, you have a unique story and experience that broadens your perspective and may make your college transition and experience different from those who have grown up solely in the states. Mu Kappa gives students a place to connect, process, and learn how to use their multicultural experiences to benefit campus and glorify God.

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What is a TCK?

TCKs, or third culture kids, are people who have spent a significant number of their early developmental years in a culture different from that of their parent's culture or their passport of origin. For example, if my parents are North American but I grew up in Korea, then my culture is neither American or Korean; I belong to an amalgamation of those two cultures or a "third culture." Missionary kids (MKs), military kids and children of diplomats or international business professionals often identify as a TCK. No matter what part of the world they’ve come from, most TCKs feel and recognize a fraternal bond with other TCKs.


Lauren Eggleton: Russia

I chose Roberts because both of my sisters went here, it was close to family in the US, and it has a good education department.  My major is TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages/Teaching English as a Second or Other Language) and my minor is in Spanish. I hope to teach students English, whether that be here in the States with migrants or refugees, or whether I move to a different country. I am keeping my options open for now.

The transition for me was very difficult because I have never fully identified as US American. I had a hard time letting go of my life in Russia and moving forward. Thankfully, my sister was in her senior year when I was a freshman and she helped me transition the most. I am still transitioning even though I am in my third year, but I am feeling more comfortable here.


Tina Tsoukalas: South Africa for three years,
Zambia for the past seven

My favourite thing about being an MK is being multicultural and having cross-cultural living experiences. It has given me a much different outlook on life than many of those around me. I chose Roberts because it is close to my parents' "home base" town here in the US, and it has a fantastic program for my major. I am a social work major, planning to minor in ministry, or something religion-related.

Once I graduate, I hope to work with women in human trafficking, whether that be helping them get out, working and counseling toward rehabilitation/reintegration once they're out, or linking them to local resources to help in that process. I am not yet sure whether I would do this domestically or internationally.

My transition to Roberts has overall been a positive experience. I only got back to the US 2 1/2 months before school started, so while that gave me some time to adjust back to American culture, it wasn't too long before I moved on campus and had to make more adjustments. Faculty and students alike are understanding and make adjusting easy! I have found community at Roberts in our little MK group (we're 8 people strong!), and with some staff. Mallary Wiley, Julie Rushik,  Angela Hoover, and Dr. Amy Kovach are some of the people that have provided support and understanding listening ears.

Making tapioca pearls for homemade bubble tea

Making Brazilian Bridadeiros