Guidance for employers

​

1. International transition - an ongoing process of adaptation
   International family transition is not a one-off event. The lack of understanding about the ongoing impact of transition on families may lead to delays in providing support. Avoid leaving a critical gap when children and parents feel are most stressed.
    

2. Train HR professionals to manage international transitions
   Introduce formal transition training to develop a shared understanding of the complexity of international relocation.
    

3. Better and earlier familiarisation for families
   Make sure families visit the destination country and schools for the children as soon as possible, and plan several induction days by knowledgable country specialists, prior to relocation.
    

4. Provide families with support from an expat psychologist
   Offer counselling and support prior to departure and throughout the first year in the new host country, using psychologists specialising in expatriation.
    

5. Bridge language and cultural barriers
   Support families with language and cultural training prior to departure and on a continuing basis.
    

6. Spousal career support
   Successful family transition works best when a spouse is professionally supported whenever career continuation is required. Explore potential work or voluntary opportunities for the spouse and facilitate career continuation to maintain a sense of purpose and a positive transition.
    

7. Open communication
   Maintain continuous, open communication and collaborative partnerships between the family, company and school.

​

​

Guidance for families

​

1. Early preparation
   Parents, ensure you prepare children for the move in a familiar home environment right from the outset. Ideally, involve your children in your discussions about relocation, openly discussing the move and tackling any concerns as they arise.
    

2. Early familiarization
   Take every opportunity to familiarise yourselves with the new country. Ideally, visit more than once before relocating, gather information from every source and talk about the new country and its culture in the family.
    

3. Building children’s resilience
   Promote children’s resilience during transition through positive reinforcement and by making sure you are their key support. Frame international transition in a positive light to ensure that any fears or negative experiences do not disrupt the children’s transition.
    

4. Pre-discussion of parental roles in the host country
   Discuss the transition with each other in advance. Ensure that the roles and responsibilities of each partner after transition are clear and agreed upfront.
    

5. Support children’s sense of belonging
   Encourage children to maintain contact with old friends and the extended family and they take favourite personal belongings with them, (rather than putting items into storage). Create new family routines that form a memorable part of the experience.
    

6. Introduce children to the new school, early
   Select a school and arrange for children to be introduced to their future class prior to relocation. Encourage the children to stay connected with future classmates through social networks in advance of the move.
    

7. Open family communication
   Successful transition requires open communication, a positive attitude, readiness to support the other partner and an understanding that international transitions are complex and dynamic processes.

​

​

​

For the full story listen to Borderless Live: International Family Expatriation: Is It Right for Your Family? - in conversation with Dr. Catherine Koini and Andrew Kris.

​

​

​