Generally, people will say that expatriate children are lucky with the new exciting experiences and different cultures they see – a chance to experience the world in a broader perspective than most of us. Moreover, unlike their parents who are typically busy adjusting to their new job, expat kids are just enjoying their new environment – right?

Nope. While it’s true that expatriate children receive many invaluable opportunities, it also entails a big price to pay since there are many obstacles that these kids have to face.

Most of us, when put to an unfamiliar situation, will feel scared, intimidated, and perhaps even traumatized. The same is true for children who are thrust into a new environment, which can make these unsettling feelings overwhelming.

Meeting new friends and the language barrier

Many expat kids struggle with making new friends: some will feel sad since their parents are likely to be very busy with their adjustment process as well, having taken on a new position, home, etc. They may feel like they have no one there for them for quiet moments when sad thoughts become exaggerated.

On the other hand, language barriers also make integration harder. Most of the world speaks English, so in many places, it is normal that anyone living in a certain country should also use the native tongue. In addition, things like unspoken nuances and customs can sometimes be confusing for an expat child – a child from India who moves to Australia for instance, might not realise that what he is doing is customarily wrong.

Overcoming the challenges 

You as the parent is the key to help an expatriate child adjust to life in a new environment. Communication is the most vital component to make sure that the transition is smooth. You must talk with your children, and assess their behaviour, and listen to their difficulties and frustrations.

In fact, just acknowledging and validating their struggle goes a long way in helping them feel cared for and supported.

Allow expat kids to acquire a balance between communicating with loved ones back home and making new social interactions. Maintaining old traditions while embracing new ones can also ease the transition.

Choose the right school 

As we see the world recovering from the global recession and the workplace environment becoming more competitive – which means that individuals with unique and advanced qualifications will naturally stand out. Singapore is one of the most global countries in the world with a vast amount of expats. If you currently live there, then choosing the right Singapore education available will tremendously help your kid adjust faster and develop into a mature individual.

Children who have grown up in an expatriate environment and a good learning institute generally have more language and boosted interpersonal communication skills that make them special and more sought after in work. You can learn more about international schools for expat by visiting One World International School (OWIS) website.

We can go as far as say that expat children could be our future leaders: people who will improve the world. So, whether you’re an expat parent or not, do everything possible to help an expatriate child in the community who could be struggling. Doing so can improve the chances that he or she will be well-adjusted to make positive contributions to society, which will benefit everyone.