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Nov 30, 1999
Single or Accompanied and International Education
When you are married, or in a committed relationship, you have not only yourself to consider when you move abroad as an expat. If you have children as well then you have even more decisions to make. One important point to bear in my though, an overseas move is rarely the solution to a troubled marriage. With a partner and children a primary consideration you need to make is whether you go alone, or whether your partner and children accompany you. Reasons To Go As A Family
- Because you are a family! For most people the thought of leaving their family behind when they go abroad is something they would rather not consider, unless they are actually looking for an excuse to leave.
- The experience of living abroad can be greatly enhanced by having someone to share it with. The problems seem less and the pleasures are multiplied.
- Being separated for long periods of time can be damaging to any relationship, especially with children.
- Children can learn so much from living abroad, even if they only do so for a short time. However, research has shown that children who spend a long time living abroad (often called TCKs, Third Culture Kids), are four times more likely to earn a degree, are more mature and have more successful marriages than their peers who lived 'at home.' (See www.iss.edu)
- International Schools are considered to be some of the best educational institutions in the world, where your children are exposed to cultures, languages and ideas they would never meet in the home country.
Reasons To Go On Your Own
- There is no suitable accommodation for your family.
- The country is not safe for your partner/children.
- If you are nor married many countries will not recognise you as a couple
- You cannot afford to take your family because the salary would not cover your expenses.
- The posting is 'single status' and you need the job.
- There is no suitable school for your at the destination.
- Your children are at an important stage of their education and need to stay at their current school.
- Your partners career/job is not portable
Most people seem to agree that going with your family is definitely the best option, but unfortunately not everyone has the choice.
Overseas Education
For Children
A major factor for many people in their decision making about whether to go abroad as a family, or on their own, is the availability of schooling for their children. In your home country you probably know all about the schooling options, but what do know about schools abroad? What types of schools are there in that unpronounceable country you've just been offered a job in? What curricula do they follow? Who accredits them? What qualification do the teachers have? Are there schools that teach in English?
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The copyright of the article Choices in Expatriates is owned by Huw Francis. Permission to republish Choices in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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