Your Child, the Global citizen

Announcement posted by Personnel Relocations 19 Jul 2021

Moving abroad is the right move

If you are dreaming of moving abroad with children, you might not see it, but the future is bright for a child who has been exposed to the global world and prepared for a life as a global citizen.

The Authors of Your DIY Move Guide to Australia have helped countless families move. All to often the parents concerns about the children are all short term, low impact worries. The long term, life-changing benefits are almost always forgotten during the decision making process. Robyn, owner of Personnel Relocations stated, "Even in my personal experience moving my own children, I want to assure you that these benefits outweigh any short term concerns you might have. Think about it, will your concerns about the children still be relevant in five years from now?”

Most parents worry about; “Will the child like their new school? Will they make friends? Will they miss their old friends?” I assure you, these are worries that we as parents conjure up with our own lifelong experience; children don’t. Children don’t plan that far ahead.

That said, let us look at these positive outcomes and remember these are lifelong skills you will be imparting to your child. Be proud of that.

Discovery

This is perhaps one of the most obvious: new cultures, new traditions, new tastes! Just about everything will be a little or maybe alot different. Your children will have a global awareness and perhaps a keen interest in travel now that they understand, geographically, where everything is. Together with your guidance, you can open their minds to entirely new and exciting concepts and traditions. It is an exciting time, embrace this and help them learn in this hands-on classroom of life.

Acceptance

Your child is going to understand that everyone is allowed an opinion and a right to believe in something that your own child might not believe in. That is OK, not everyone has to conform to your beliefs. This could be new political, religious or traditional beliefs. It could also be that they must accept something as simple as Santa Clause versus a SinteKlaas – who brings presents to Dutch children on the 15^th of December already. Or that in France, there is not a tooth fairy but a tooth mouse. Children around them will perhaps be quite different and that is OK. Which new traditions will you participate in? Discuss this with your child, research online and start the tour of discovery.

Culture and Social Awareness

Depending on the country you are moving to this could be more immersive or move varied. If, for example, you are heading to India that might be unavoidably immersive and an extremely different cultural experience than, say, a move to England. Being culturally aware is becoming more and more important for the next generation and moving abroad will open your children’s eyes to this vast array of traditions, colors and beliefs.

Adapting and Integrating

Just about anyone (including myself) will say that since moving abroad with their children, their children have become more flexible and adaptable to change. When children first start at their new school, they might sit back, watch, adapt to their surroundings then watch again and adapt again. “What does Mary have in her lunchbox?” Might result in you being asked to suddenly produce a similar cheese stick! A simple example yes; but for a minute, imagine the boardroom skills your child is honing for the future.

This part of a child's personality is developing skills by watching body language, mannerisms, voice patterns etc. They are learning to assess hostility versus friendliness—what is acceptable and what is frowned upon. Most of all, they are adapting so they can integrate. I cannot stress the importance of integration more. That goes for us as parents too. Integration is the key to our happiness, to our success and self-awareness. When we are self-aware, we become confident. Integration is the key to your success.

To be moving a child overseas is quite possibly something you have never had the opportunity of doing. You know that the world is changing, the future generation will use the world as their oyster. The life skills you are affording your children now will be attributes they will need to get ahead in life. The world is becoming a smaller place for your children and you are preparing them well.

Good luck.

About the resource persons:

Robyn Vogels founded Personnel Relocations in 2008 to support people moving to Australia. Her personal experience from across the world defined her understanding of the intense process of relocation, especially when moving with families and children. Her services simplifies the process of relocation to make it comfortable and hassle-free at an affordable price.

Hendrika Jooste founded Pillars of Power in 2006 to help emigrants to Australia thrive in new surroundings, career, social network and personal relationships. Her experience of international relocations and migration as well as her formal education makes others’ journey not only relatable to her but also be in a very good position to provide the best support and coaching to understand potential struggles.