Animation Design with Therapeutic Effects as a Guided Coping Skill for Repatriated TCKs Aged 17-19 Years Old

Bachelor Thesis

Third Culture Kids (TCKs) are children raised outside of their parents' passport country, a group that is particularly vulnerable to stress and Cultural Homelessness during repatriation. Although raised in multicultural identity confusion, difficulties forming a sense of belonging, and challenges within self-affirmation, this demographic often face unique challenges during their transition into young adulthood, a period of time that psychologists agreed to be the most challenging. In addition, I realized Indonesian TCKs experience repatriation in their own unique subset of cultural differences and challenges, since the demographic consists of a plethora of identities, ranging from ethnicity, language, socioeconomic background, religion, and familial culture.

To address these challenges, the study proposes the design of a therapeutic animation based on the Art as Therapy framework as a safe and accessible educational medium. Developed using Paul Wells’ (2013) developmental animation approach—combining orthodox and experimental animation—the project integrates therapeutic principles into its visual style and narrative. Given TCKs’ reliance on digital media for information and support, animation is positioned as tool to support psychological well-being, help manage stress, and ease feelings of alienation during the repatriation process.

Abstract

Indonesian Third Culture Kids (TCK) in their late teens aged 17–19 often experience emotional pressure during repatriation, which is the process of returning to their home country after growing up abroad. They frequently feel lonely with a lack of stable support systems, and having been exposed to foreign cultures that shaped a diverse worldview compared to non-TCK peers, often prevents them from creating a stable group of friends. To address these challenges, the author designed a short animated series with therapeutic effects based on conventional Art as Therapy theory. This short animation aims to help Indonesian TCKs manage their emotions and build a sense of belonging with both fellow TCKs and non-TCK individuals. The short animation is based on Developmental Animation, combining orthodox and experimental animation theories through an Art as Therapy lens. The research started from collecting real-life experiences from repatriated Indonesian TCKs, as well as experts in art therapy and art psychology, supported by literature studies on TCK identity and animation theory. The developmental animation features visual elements inspired by traditional art tools and organic textures commonly found in Art as Therapy workshops. The storyline follows two main characters as they face various common repatriation challenges, serving as a reflection of real experiences. Each episode runs for 2–3 minutes and is designed to offer calmness and emotional support. This project helps Indonesian TCKs feel more understood, less alone, and better prepared to face repatriation in Indonesia.

Keywords

Developmental Animation, Repatriation, Third Culture Kids (TCKs)