A Masters Thesis by Harsha Pillai

Index

Thesis Focus

This thesis explores the experiences of Adult Third Culture Kids (TCKs) of Asian descent, focusing on the emotional and cultural nuances of their familial relationships across distances. While TCKs are celebrated for their adaptability, their quieter struggles—grief, guilt, and the challenge of belonging—are often overlooked.

Grief and care are deeply intertwined. By addressing the unspoken grief of cultural disconnection, we can create pathways for intimacy and understanding, even across distances. This work seeks to honor the complexity of these relationships, where distance often amplifies feelings of guilt and misunderstanding. As high-context cultural practices meet the challenges of global mobility, there’s a growing need to translate care, affection, and belonging into sustainable, meaningful exchanges. This thesis aims to design solutions that help TCKs and their families preserve their connections, fostering healing and closeness in a transient world.

About Me

Harsha Pillai.png

Harsha Pillai ****is an Indo-Swiss-German Product Designer formally trained as an Architect with a background in Computer Science. Casual kickboxer, self-proclaimed sudoku champ, and holder of 100+ day streak on Duolingo.

Website | LinkedIn

Acknowledgements

Important Links

Midterm Slide Deck (43 slides)

Midterm Slide Deck (43 slides)

Midterm Presentation (Single Scroll)

Midterm Presentation (Single Scroll)

Thesis Blog (updated weekly)

Thesis Blog (updated weekly)

Thesis Narrative

I grew up in South-West Germany, attending an international school where, for years, I was the only person of colour in my class. People often remarked on my Indian heritage, asking about Bangalore or Kerala, but never about Berlin or Geneva. Though I wasn’t seen as European, for a long time, that was all I knew how to be. This feeling is not unfamiliar. In 2022, there were 31 million dependents living outside their parents’ passport countries who might relate to this experience (World Migration Report, 2022). These individuals are who we call Third Culture Kids (TCKs).