Abstract

In today's world, our sense of 'who we are' and 'where we belong' has been disrupted by global movements such as globalization and migration. Based on a qualitative approach, this study investigated the experience of living in different cultures and its impact on the participants' sense of identity. Using Bhabha's notion of the third space as its major theoretical framework and narrative inquiry as its main methodological tool, it specifically aims to explore processes of identity formation in the 'new space'. The participants' stories revealed three interrelated patterns that can be seen as indicative of the opening up and occupation of the third space: crossing the border, expressing ambivalence, and forming new consciousnesses. Their narratives, however, also indicated different degrees of 'identity abrasion' and seemingly different kinds of third spaces, which raises a number of fundamental questions that remain to be answered. These individual cases are expected to serve as a basis for entering into and understanding larger social structures, providing a pathway to learn better about ourselves, others, and the world.