Would you be willing to move overseas with your young family? Many families have toyed with the idea of uprooting and moving overseas, but when children are added to the equation, many decide against doing so. Whether you’ve been offered an exciting job opportunity, or whether you just want to experience a new way of life, there are many different reasons to take the plunge.
As with any move, there will be a large element of stress involved, but if you’re set on moving overseas with your children, we have created a guide to make the process and painless and as exciting as possible.
Although it’s true that children need stability during their early years, if they are not yet in full-time education, then the transition will be much easier to manage. Younger children find stability in their parents, so if you reassure them and work to make them feel at ease during the process, then they will respond much better to the change.
Look into local education systems
If your child is not yet in full-time education, then it’s important to consider whether you are going to homeschool your child or place them in private or public education. Depending on where you are relocating to, there are private expat schools that are available for your children to attend.
If you’re moving to a non-English speaking country, then it’s important to ensure that your child will be in a school that accommodates to their needs, for example, an English-speaking support teacher. If you are moving country because of work, many companies are able to provide education funding for your children, which will cover the costs of private-sector education.
If you choose to homeschool your child, then you can either hire a full-time tutor and nanny or choose to do this yourself. Be sure to look into the syllable of whichever country that you are moving to and tailor this to your own child’s needs. If you want your child to quickly integrate and form friendships, then sending them to school is the best start, as this will allow them to interact with children who are their own age.
Be sure to research the visas you need
When you’re moving to a new country, you will have to apply for a long-term visa, which can take some time to finalise. If you’re relocating due to work, many companies will help to sort out a workplace visa, however, this does not always cover your family.
For example, if you are moving from the US to the UK on Tier 2 Visa, your child and partner may have to apply for a Family Visa in order to move over with you. Non-EEA countries will most likely require a visa, so it’s important to do your research and to potentially speak with immigration lawyers who will be able to guide you through the process.
Research the local area
Moving to a new country should be a really exciting and nerve-wracking prospect. Amongst the stress of it all, be sure to research the local area of the place you are moving to. This will help you to get a sense of the local culture, where to go for food, drinks and shopping and everything in between.
Researching the local area can really help you to get into the mindset of living in a new country and will also mean that you don’t feel entirely lost when you get to your new home. Before you make any life-changing decisions, it’s equally as important to take a few trips out to visit the area. Be sure that you like where you are moving to before you move there.
About the Author
Natalie Wilson is a freelance wellness and lifestyle writer. She loves researching and writing about new wellness trends and topics, as well as keeping up to date with the latest news. When not writing, you can find her taking long walks in the countryside with her dog or browsing her nearest bookstore. You can connect with her on Twitter @NatWilson976.