Welcome to Danau Tanu’s online home

On social media, Danau Tanu claims to be an ‘Anthropologist for all things Third Culture Kid’.

To the more serious breed, Danau is an academic researcher who holds a PhD in anthropology. She is author of GROWING UP IN TRANSIT: The Politics of Belonging at an International School.

Growing Up in Transit by Danau Tanu - in paperback poster

GROWING UP IN TRANSIT is the first book to address structural racism in international schools.

About Danau Tanu's book - Growing Up in Transit

International schools shape the identities and worldview of millions of young minds across the globe today. Many boast of having a diverse student body and claim to promote 'global citizenship'. Yet, these schools are often Western centric.

At thirty-something, I went back to high school to write a book about people who are popularly referred to as ‘Third Culture Kids’ or ‘global nomads.’

I wanted to probe the contradiction between the celebrated image of ‘global citizens’ and the economic privilege that makes their mobile lifestyle possible.

I was also interested in exploring the voices among this population that had yet to be heard.

Danau Tanu in GROWING UP IN TRANSIT

The cultural legacies of colonialism work in these schools through the English language. Perceptions of race, culture and class continue to shape popularity, friendships and romance on campus.

GROWING UP IN TRANSIT tells the story of the students' struggles with identity, belonging and internalized racism in their own words. It is written based on Danau's doctoral research.

Out in Paperback!

GROWING UP IN TRANSIT is available in paperback, hardback and as an eBook.

Click LEARN MORE:
● to read the 'teaser' articles
● to read the book reviews

About Danau Tanu

Danau Tanu is a published author and holds a doctorate degree in Anthropology and Asian Studies from the University of Western Australia . She is now conducting research on Japan’s Multicultural Youth  as a Japan Foundation Research Fellow at Waseda University.

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Reviews of Growing Up in Transit

“This ground-breaking book offers a foundation for studies in the new generation of international schools.’ • Journal of Research in International Education

“[A] riveting read … Danau Tanu delivers an exceptional, genuinely interesting, thought-provoking account … a must-read for all leaders of international schools.’ • International Schools Journal

… so original … ground-breaking…

Journal of Research in International Education

… a must-read for all leaders of international schools …

International Schools Journal

… a nuanced and evocative analysis of privilege …

Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute

This book offers profound insights …

Ruth Van Reken
Co-author of 'Third Culture Kids'

well‐written and engaging book … fresh analytical perspectives

Social Anthroplogy

… a riveting read …

International Schools Journal

The author’s unique experience growing up as a Third Culture Kid enabled her to breathe life into the ethnographic data …

Asia Pacific Journal of Education

[A] nuanced and evocative analysis of privilege.’ • Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (JRAI)

“The author’s unique experience growing up as a Third Culture Kid enabled her to breathe life into the ethnographic data.' • Asia Pacific Journal of Education

“This book offers profound insights on how class and race can play out among globally mobile children. I highly recommend it.' • Ruth E. Van Reken, co-author, Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds

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Photo of the world map (originally with North America at the top) by Christine Roy on Unsplash.

Featured in a textbook

Oxford IB Theory of Knowledge Course Book

A textbook for the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programme

Oxford IB textbook showing Growing Up in Transit
Oxford IB Diploma Programme: IB Theory of Knowledge Course Book, pp. 97-98

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Blog

日本的多元文化儿童和年轻人

我叫 Danau TANU(中文名叫陈烜兰),来自早稻田大学亚太研究中心 (WIAPS)。 今年3月份我来到日本为了对日本的多元文化青年人进行研究。 我父亲是印尼华人,母亲是日本人。 我会说一点中文但是不大好,所以以下内容大部分用日语写了。对不起,请谅解。 研究課題 尽管日本社会越来越变得多元化,对具有外国文化影响而且在日本长大的儿童和年轻人的研究还少。 因此,本研究旨在了解在日本长大的儿童和年轻人如何在许多方面受到各种文化影响。 例如通过: 移動・移民・転校 学校環境と教育 メディア(媒体) 人間関係(例:家族、友人/朋友、コミュニティ等) 研究対象者 多文化背景を持ちながら日本と何らかの接点がある大人や子供*を研究対象とする(現在の年齢は問わない)。例えば、日本または海外で日本教育を受けたことがありながら、下記のいずれかに該当する方: 子供(18才未満)の頃に海外で3ヶ月以上暮らしたことがある 親のいずれかが海外で生まれた 親のいずれかが日本の少数民族である 海外移動、学校教育、メディア、友人、家族などを通じて子供の頃(18才未満)からバイリンガルである その他** *18才未満の方は親の許可も必要とする**上記のカテゴリーに該当しなくても自分の背景が多文化であると思う方は是非ご連絡ください! 研究方法 人類学研究(社会学に似ている)でよく使われるインタビューや「参与観察」方法を採用する。 インタビュー 研究参加者のご都合に合わせて下記のように行われる。 時間1.5〜2時間(参加者のご都合に合わせる) 日時・場所参加者のご都合に合わせる(オンライン可) 内容・形式正式な形式はなく、参加者のライフ・ストーリを始め、上記の研究課題に関連する参加者の経験や感じ方等について気軽な感んじで聞いていく。 …