Six Reasons to Make the Move Abroad
If you’re considering moving your family overseas, you may worry about the impact living in a new country may have on your kids. While the initial transition can be difficult, many families find that their kids benefit greatly from living overseas. Following are six benefits children gain from experiencing life in a new country.
#1 – Resilience and confidence
Children who live abroad learn to navigate the challenges of adapting to a new culture, region and language, which can lead to greater resilience. Stepping out of their comfort zone helps foster a sense of confidence in their ability to adapt and grow when faced with new challenges.
Activities such as walking or taking the bus in a new neighborhood, experiencing a different school environment, trying new foods, meeting new friends with different life experiences, having a say in the family’s choices, etc. are just some of the life experiences that can really enhance a child’s development.
#2 – A closer family relationship
Families that move abroad must navigate a wide range of new challenges together, which often results in stronger family bonds. You’ll need to work as a family unit to make school decisions, learn the local language, adjust to different customs, etc. This reliance on one another can go a long way toward making your family stronger.
#3 – Independence and maturity
Living abroad fosters a greater sense of independence and maturity as kids learn to adapt to life in a new country. Navigating a new environment allows kids to develop their problem-solving skills as well as their decision-making and communication abilities. The experiences that strengthen these skills are ones that a child will carry throughout their life.
#4 – Empathy
Children who have experienced multiple cultures often develop more empathy for others. Having friends from different walks of life with different values and priorities is likely to help children develop compassion for others.
#5 – An expanded world view
Living in a different country exposes children to different languages, cultures and customs, which can lead to an expanded world view. Every experience in a new country is a chance to learn something new and develop an appreciation for other cultures and ways of life.
#6 – Language ability
One of the best ways to learn a new language is by immersing yourself in it. Children who live abroad have a great opportunity to pick up a new language through regular interaction with neighbors, storekeepers, teachers and other children.
On a personal note, my children have been raised in two countries and are exposed to many languages, cultures, foods and more. Changing countries and schools, forming new friendships, living in a different type of dwelling and so forth can be daunting experiences for children (just as they can be for adults). As parents who face our own challenges when we encounter a new environment, securing the happiness of our children goes a long way toward securing our own happiness. It can be an exhausting and sometimes overwhelming experience, but the rewards are often worth it. I know I certainly wouldn’t have had it any other way — and we may even move abroad again someday!
