Prepare yourself for the adventure of a lifetime!

Tips for a successful departure  •   Glocalization (a blend of global and local cultures)

Every departure affects the traveller long before boarding the plane, and most find that planning the journey is a practical and emotional adventure itself.  Changing school is a big step and landing in a place that already seems familiar can pave the way for a smooth transition to the new community. We encourage you to explore this section and our website with your children, and to contact us if you have any questions.

Any person in transition can easily relate to what is now referred to as glocalization, because by living in a new country we become glocal, a blend of local and global. When we move, we bring along our culture and our values, and we find new ones in the local communities. A successful transition is about enriching our identity by embracing what the local culture can offer to our individual sensitivities. The first step in achieving this is to have an understanding of the culture that will welcome you. You may be interested in discovering our Culture Section, which provides information on English culture.

Family life

One of the many challenges relocating families face is to understand how the individual members of the family may be affected, as well as family life itself. 

Tips for a successful departure

One of the many challenges relocating families face is to understand how the individual members of the family may be affected, as well as family life itself.

• Acknowledge you are leaving and take time to say goodbye to friends and family.

• If you have pets that will not be accompanying you, give your children the opportunity to see where their pets will be taken care of and to say goodbye to them as well.
• Plan something to look forward to with those you are leaving, if possible, in the not-too-distant future. This can be as small as a video call or as large as the next trip back to visit.

• Think about sacred or transitional objects: those things that will go with you from place to place. These things help to give children a sense of home and security no matter where they are. Consider putting these objects in a box for each child to have with them as they travel to their destination.

• Remember, it is normal for children (and adults!) to withdraw from friends toward the end.
• Children feel reassured when they can visualize new situations, so spend time with them looking at images of where you will be going and talking about them.

Glocalization and English Culture

People in transition can easily relate to what is now referred to as glocalization, because by living in a new country we become glocal, a blend of global and local cultures. When we move, carry our culture and our values with us, and we find new ones in the local communities. A successful transition is about enriching our identity by embracing what the local culture can offer to our individual sensitivities. The first step in achieving this is to have an understanding of the culture that will welcome you. You may be interested in discovering our Culture Section, which provides information on English culture.