5 Essential Tips for Moving Abroad with Kids

Whether you are planning to live or study abroad with children, it can be an immensely rewarding and enriching experience for the entire family. It provides a unique opportunity to expand your child’s worldview from an early age. Not to mention, living in a foreign country allows both kids and adults to learn and become fluent in a new language. While there are numerous advantages, moving to a new country also requires children to adapt to new environments, schools, and social settings. Here are 5 essential tips for moving abroad with kids.

1. Involve them in the Discussion:

Allowing children to make choices is essential for their growth and well-being and helps them feel that their opinions are valued. Involving your children in decisions, such as choosing a new city or neighborhood, gives them a sense of participation and influence over their environment. This practice helps children build confidence in their abilities, making them feel competent and empowered. The resulting boost in self-esteem is crucial for their emotional and psychological development. Confident children are more likely to embrace new challenges, such as moving abroad, and remain resilient in the face of difficulties.

2. Find a Suitable School:

Finding a suitable school when living abroad with a child requires careful research and planning to ensure the best educational environment. Begin by looking into American schools that offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, as these schools often have familiar curricula that ease the transition. Utilize resources like the “Find an IB World School” tool to identify schools with international programs near your new location. Visiting school websites will provide detailed information about their curricula, extracurricular activities, and teaching philosophies, which are crucial for making an informed decision.

In addition to international schools, consider local schools with strong reputations for high educational standards. Assess their suitability by visiting and meeting with administrators and teachers. Attending open houses and school tours can help you gauge the school’s atmosphere and environment. Evaluate the curriculum to ensure it aligns with your child’s needs and future educational goals, and ensuring there is adequate support for non-native English speakers if necessary.

Also, investigate the range of extracurricular activities offered at the different schools, as they significantly contribute to your child’s school experience. Finally, consider the school’s location and the daily commute to ensure it fits well with your family’s routine.

3. Discuss the Cultural Differences in the Country:

Each country boasts a unique blend of historical events, languages, cuisines, and social norms that shape its daily life. Exploring these aspects can be an engaging project with your child. Researching significant historical events and periods that have influenced the country’s culture can be both educational and fun. If you’re already in the city, visiting local museums and monuments can provide firsthand insights into the country’s history, giving your children a deeper understanding of its cultural evolution.

Experiencing local cuisine together is another enriching activity. Just as in the United States, where food varies significantly by state and even by city, discovering and trying traditional dishes of the region can be a delightful way to connect with the culture. Additionally, it’s important to understand and respect the social norms and etiquette that govern behavior in various settings, including greetings, dining manners, and dress codes. For instance, in China, the act of giving and receiving gifts is a significant cultural practice. It is customary to present gifts with both hands and to initially refuse a gift once or twice before accepting it to demonstrate politeness. Observing these customs fosters positive interactions and helps build strong relationships within the community.

4. Provide as Much Familiarity as Possible:

When relocating abroad with children, it’s essential to bring along familiar items to create a sense of comfort and stability in the new environment. Beyond the obvious favorite stuffed animal, consider including other cherished household items such as bath toys, books, and bedding that your child is accustomed to. These familiar objects can help ease the transition by providing a sense of home amidst unfamiliar surroundings.

Additionally, maintaining connections with friends and family back home is crucial. Depending on your child’s age, you can equip them with a cellphone or allocate specific times for them to use your phone to text and call loved ones they miss. This regular communication helps sustain important relationships and offers emotional support during the adjustment period. By blending the familiar with the new and ensuring ongoing connections with their support network, you can help your child adapt more smoothly to their new life abroad.

5. Maintain your Normal Routine:

Maintaining a regular routine when living abroad with children is essential for several reasons. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, consistent routines can serve as a comforting anchor during times of change, helping children adapt more easily to new surroundings. These routines provide a sense of stability and security amidst the significant changes they are experiencing. Familiar daily activities, such as bedtime rituals, mealtimes, and chores, create a predictable environment that helps children feel more at ease and reduces anxiety. Additionally, regular routines support healthy development by ensuring consistent sleep, meals, and study times, which are vital for both physical and emotional well-being.

Moreover, maintaining normalcy should extend beyond home activities to include social interactions. Encourage your children to make new friends and participate in social events, as these outings contribute to their sense of belonging and help integrate them into the new community. Overall, preserving these routines provides a foundation of familiarity that significantly aids in the adaptation process when living abroad.

Studying abroad with children offers a unique opportunity to broaden their horizons, learn new languages, and immerse themselves in different cultures. By involving them in decisions, finding suitable schools, discussing cultural differences, providing familiar comforts, and maintaining regular routines, you can ensure a smoother transition and enrich their overall experience. Embracing both the challenges and rewards of living abroad will create lasting memories and invaluable learning experiences for the entire family.

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