ABOUT

Morse_Chris%20O%20%28Greener%29

Christopher O’Shaughnessy is a passionate and versatile speaker, comedian, and author who uses a unique blend of storytelling, humor, and provocative insight to engage a wide array of people on topics associated with globalization and cross-cultural understanding. Chris is enlisted by organizations large and small, ranging from international schools and educational institutions to government agencies and businesses across the globe. He has worked in, lived in, or traveled to more than 100 countries and brings firsthand experience of an ever-globalizing world to his audiences.

Topics

Chris speaks on a range of topics for students, adults, and teachers, including:

CROSS CULTURAL KIDS (CCKS)
AND THIRD CULTURE KIDS (TCKS)

BUILDING RESILIENCE

TRANSITION & CHANGE MANAGEMENT

GLOBALIZATION

IDENTITY & CULTURE

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND ANTI-BULLYING

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & DYNAMICS

CULTIVATING AND HARNESSING EMPATHY IN SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, AND ORGANIZATIONS

Christopher O’Shaughnessy is an Affiliated Consultant
with the Council of International Schools

CIS Large

CHRIS’S BOOK

[ ARRIVALS, DEPARTURES AND THE ADVENTURES IN-BETWEEN ]

book small

Chris’s book, Arrivals, Departures and the Adventures In-Between, has received high praise from students, teachers, and other experts in the international community as a resource that is both enjoyable to read and able to instill truths, insights and skills essential to navigating life successfully in an ever globalizing world. It has also been used in teaching cross-cultural skills and instilling global awareness in a variety of disciplines at the college level and for businesses.

available on-itunes
available on-amazon
available on-amazon-kindle

“Once, down a dark alleyway, a struggling TCK bumped into a mysterious Zen master, a grinning comedian, and an author of thrillers. That alleyway and those personas reside at O’Shaughnessy's center. Get ready to grab your seat to steady your heart and to avoid falling over with laughter.”

Douglas W. Ota
Author of Safe Passage: What Mobility Does to People & What International Schools Should Do About It

“I wish this book had been written when I was younger.”

Ruth E. Van Reken
Co-author of Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds

“O’Shaughnessy's does a marvelous job of covering the characteristics of the Third Culture Kid with riveting examples taken from his own life. Thanks for this valuable addition to the TCK literature and most importantly, the teen TCK.”

Lois J. Bushong
Author of Belonging Everywhere & Nowhere: Insights into Counseling the Globally Mobile

“O’Shaughnessy skillfully approaches cross-cultural upbringings and transitions with insight, compassion and humorous tales of identity, connection, community, belonging and resilience.”

Linda A. Janssen
Author of The Emotionally Resilient Expat: Engage, Adapt and Thrive Across Cultures

“Every TCK who is a junior or senior in high school should read this book before going off to college or living on their own.”

Delana H. Stewart
Education Consultant
Website: The Education Cafe
1 preview
Book Preview

Chapter 1: Being Foreign Where Foreigners Don't Belong

3 preview
Book Preview

Chapter 3: Don't Run... Use Your Words

6 preview
Book Preview

Chapter 6: Good Grief, Look at My British Teeth

EVENTS

Where on Earth is Chris?

11 November, 2025

Int’l School of The Hague

Den Haag, Netherlands

italy flag

11 November, 2025

Int’l School of The Hague

Den Haag, Netherlands

Germany

11 November, 2025

Pathways (TCK Training)

Online Event

13-14 November, 2025

Council of Int’l Schools Conference

Seville, Spain

italy flag

13-14 November, 2025

Council of Int’l Schools Conference

Seville, Spain

Germany

19 November, 2025

ACS Int’l School Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE

18 December, 2025

TeachBeyond

Online Event

italy flag

18 December, 2025

TeachBeyond

Online Event

Germany

8 January, 2026

Castle Hill Christian School

San Antonio, Texas, USA

26-30 January, 2026

Garden Int’l School

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

italy flag

26-30 January, 2026

Garden Int’l School

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Germany

4 February, 2026

Optimus Education Conference

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

13 February, 2026

FIGT Business Quarterly

Online Event

italy flag

13 February, 2026

FIGT Business Quarterly

Online Event

Germany

18 February, 2026

Bookboon

Online Event

11 March, 2026

International School of Almere

Almere, Netherlands

italy flag

11 March, 2026

International School of Almere

Almere, Netherlands

Germany

13-17 March, 2026

IBC Leadership Conference

Dubrovnik, Croatia

18 March, 2026

Int'l Christian School of Vienna

Vienna, Austria

italy flag

18 March, 2026

Int'l Christian School of Vienna

Vienna, Austria

Germany

25 March, 2026

Pathways (TCK Training)

Online Event

1-9 April, 2026

Various Engagements

Kyiv, Ukraine

italy flag

1-9 April, 2026

Various Engagements

Kyiv, Ukraine

Germany

20 April, 2026

Aiglon College

Geneva, Switzerland

21 April, 2026

Swiss Group of Int’l Schools

Geneva, Switzerland

italy flag

21 April, 2026

Swiss Group of Int’l Schools

Geneva, Switzerland

Germany

10 May, 2026

Council of British Int’l Schools

London, United Kingdom

3-6 July, 2026

Outpost Expeditions: Italy Beach Camp

Pisa, Italy

italy flag

3-6 July, 2026

Outpost Expeditions: Italy Beach Camp

Pisa, Italy

Germany

28 July, 2026

Communities in Schools: San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas, USA

10 November, 2026

Communities in Schools: San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas, USA

italy flag

10 November, 2026

Communities in Schools: San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas, USA

Germany

20 November, 2026

Future of Education Now Conference

Abu Dhabi, UAE

book now

REACTIONS

What people have to say about Chris...

“Chris O’Shaughnessy is the perfect individual to speak to educators after a whirlwind of years of instability. Our staff has faced many challenges with COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. When deciding to bring everyone to face-to-face professional development, we knew that the gathering had to be purposeful for each person to be empowered and fulfilled. Chris O’ made that happen with our team. His stories of resilience, empathy, gratitude, and hope fell into the hearts and minds of those in the room. Chris provided not only keynote speaker sessions but also workshops where there was not an empty seat. Our international staff, both foreign and host nationals, left with a clear understanding that there were many individuals out there facing the same issues and concerns, and they were not alone. We cannot thank Chris enough for the laughter and joy he brought to each session. The purpose of our PD was to connect and build connections with hope in mind; the theme went above and beyond this year. Now that Chris has spoken to our educators, we hope we can get him to speak to our students in the upcoming years, as we know they would enjoy his storytelling too!”

Natalie Barboza
Regional Supervisor for Southern Europe, Quality Schools International

“You spoke at my school today, and I just want to say how much it means to me that you spoke to us. Having my own personal experience with online bullying, I know how important it is to learn this, because social media has really changed the social dynamic and allows people to hide behind a screen and say whatever they want - and words can hurt. I would really like to say thank you for speaking today, it was powerful.”

Student
International School of Amsterdam

“Hi, I’m a teacher at Sunmarke School where you presented and inspired in our assembly today. I just wanted to say how brilliant it was! Really awesome and impactful stuff - thank you so much for sharing with us!”

Teacher
Sunmarke School, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

“Chris O’Shaughnessy spoke to our students and parents this fall and I would highly recommend him for all audiences... He was very well informed on all aspects of the subject of ‘third culture kids,’ was a superb speaker, humorous at the right times and in appropriate ways, and always able to get the key points across. Chris also did a very nice job of tailoring his presentations for younger students (Middle School), older students (High School) and parents. The information he presented was very relevant to each audience. I received rave reviews from all groups he presented to – students, faculty, and parents.”

Gary Melton
Mont Kiara International School - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

“Chris has been active in the St. John’s International School community for many years. We invite him in to speak to both students and parents on a regular basis and he connects brilliantly with both audiences. He really identifies with the TCK phenomenon as it has been his own experience, but he is also incredibly educated on the topic and so is able to address it from inside and out. His willingness and ability to share his own stories and experiences with his audience in an humorous and honest way ropes them in and opens them up to understand more about themselves and our international community. The way our students flock to him with excitement as he walks through the halls is the strongest testament I can give. I can’t wait till the next opportunity to invite him back.”

Daniel Johnston
Dean of Students at St. John’s International School - Waterloo, Belgium

Articles, Publications, and Media Mentions

CLIENTS

ACS
AAS
ISA
msu
Groningen
lewis clark-college
dulwich
GEMS
ISZL
CFC
FIGT
KHDA
Geneva
Stamford
MKIS
UWCSEA
Alma
youthcompass
STJ
GIS
sunmarke
USAF
DoDEA
canadian

OTHER PROJECTS

Countrymen

A comedic (and hopefully thought-provoking) journey to unpack relevant issues from the world of expats, global nomads, and an increasingly connected society with Chris O'Shaughnessy and Jerry Jones (www.thecultureblend.com).

Click the image above to be taken to the Podcast.
Countrymen

Musings, observations, and insights gathered from interactions with students, parents, and schools around the world – served up every other week for your reading or viewing (there are videos!) pleasure.

Click the image above to be taken to the Chris-O-Blog.
Countrymen

What Expats Can Do is a non-profit project with the goal of promoting awareness in the expat community about the skills expats have that our communities, and an increasingly globalized world need.

Click the image above to be taken to the What Expats Can Do site.
Click HERE to be taken to the What Expats Can Do Facebook page.

BOOKINGS

If you'd like to make a booking or have an inquiry, please use this form or send an email to booking@chris-o.com.