Third Culture Pathways
Your next opportunity starts with a conversation.
Third Culture Foundation connects young people and culturally diverse communities with opportunities to build confidence, develop practical skills and explore their futures.
We are developing Third Culture Pathways as our year-round point of contact for people seeking guidance, creative career opportunities, volunteering, mentoring and community connections.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
• Explore creative careers and educational opportunities.
• Discover volunteering and practical experience.
• Connect with community programmes and cultural activities.
• Register your interest in mentoring and professional guidance.
GET IN TOUCH
Whether you've participated in one of our programmes or are connecting with us for the first time, we'd love to hear from you.
Email: info@thirdculturefoundation.com
Our formal Pathways enquiry and mentoring processes are currently being developed. Opportunities and introductory conversations are subject to team availability.
Real Stories, Real Pathways
See how people grow through Third Culture, from their first experience to new opportunities and giving back to their communities.
Tesia's Story
Tesia's Story
Volunteer, emerging Event Professional and Third Culture Foundation team member
I first became involved with Third Culture when I was still a student. At the time, I was looking for opportunities to gain experience, meet new people and discover what I wanted to do in the future.
I started as a volunteer, not really knowing how much being part of Third Culture would influence my journey.What made the biggest difference was that my involvement didn’t end after one event or programme. The team continued to encourage me, mentor me, and give me opportunities to grow.
As I gained confidence and experience, I was trusted with more responsibility. I learned about event planning, working with different people, communicating professionally, and what it takes to bring a project to life.I was fortunate to receive guidance from different members of the team, each of whom had something valuable to teach me. Having people who believed in my potential challenged me and were willing to share their knowledge made a real difference. I wasn’t just volunteering to help out at events; I was developing skills, building relationships, and discovering what I was capable of.I’m now studying Event Management at Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
My experiences with Third Culture helped me explore my interest in this field and gave me practical experience that I could build on as I continued my education. A lot of what I have learned through Third Culture has helped shape the direction I want to take with my future. Even though I’ve moved to Auckland for university, I’m still involved with the Foundation. I returned during the first season of Kaitiaki to share my experiences with the young people taking part.
It was meaningful to be able to give something back, especially knowing that some of those participants might be at the same stage I was at when I first started.For me, one of the most valuable things about Third Culture is that relationships continue. There has always been someone I could learn from, ask questions or turn to guidance, and I’ve had opportunities to stay involved as my circumstances have changed.I hope more young people have the chance to experience the same support.
Sometimes all it takes is someone opening a door, giving you a responsibility you didn’t think you were ready for, or encouraging you to take the next step.
Third Culture has been part of my journey from student to volunteer, and now towards a career in events. I’m grateful for the opportunities, support, and relationships I’ve gained along the way, and that I can continue to be part of the community and hopefully help create those opportunities for others.
Tesia began her journey with Third Culture as a student. Through volunteering, mentoring and increasing responsibilities, she developed practical experience and confidence.
Now studying Event Management in Auckland, she remains involved and has returned to help mentor other young people.
Kade's Story
Finding my voice through creativity
When I first became involved with Third Culture, it was through acting workshops. At the time, I was still figuring out who I was and finding my place in the world. What I found was a community of people who encouraged my creativity, gave me the space to express myself and allowed me to grow without feeling judged.
Being surrounded by people who genuinely supported my creativity made a real difference to my mental health and confidence. I didn't feel like I had to fit into anyone else's idea of who I should be. I could experiment, make mistakes, try new things and discover what being an artist meant to me.
Third Culture even provided me with a workspace where I could paint and develop my artwork. Having that space and the encouragement to use it meant a lot. Eventually, I had the opportunity to exhibit my work at several Third Culture events, sharing something that had started as a very personal form of expression with a wider audience.
As my confidence grew, I began exploring other creative opportunities. I started modelling at events and became increasingly interested in fashion design and combining different art forms. I began to see myself not just as a painter, but as an artist who could express herself through multiple mediums.
I've since continued pursuing my art and further studies in Wellington, but Third Culture has remained a place I can return to. I've come back to Tauranga and the film festival, and I'm excited about returning again to model, showcase my artwork and fashion, and connect with younger creatives who are beginning their own journeys.
One of the most important things Third Culture gave me was the freedom to discover who I was as an artist, surrounded by people who believed in me and gave me room to grow. I'd love to be able to offer that same encouragement to someone else.
— Kade