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Choosing the Right School
When you think of living abroad with family, deciding where your kids will continue their education is paramount. Here's our short guide to help you pick the right school for your kids.
First, you must know which school the kids will attend – international or local public.
International Schools are ideal for a smooth transition, especially if we're not planning to stay long-term. International schools offer curriculums like the International Baccalaureate, which are recognized worldwide, making future moves easier for our children.
International schools are usually English, so your kids will fit more readily into a group of children in similar situations. However, international schools are expensive.
Public Schools are a great option if you're looking to settle permanently and want your children to integrate fully. However, language barriers can be a challenge initially.
There are so many options to solve this issue.
1. Encourage your child to learn the language while you are still in your home country. They may need a year of intensive language lessons to learn the language up to a conversational level. Doing so will help your child adapt much more easily to their new life and public school in the new country.
2. Another option is to attend an international school but take additional language lessons in the local language and gradually build up proficiency. This is an excellent option if you must relocate quickly and don't have enough time to prepare your kid for the move.
3. Some countries, such as the Netherlands, have special public schools, which kids attend and learn the language before entering the public school system. At the end of the school year, they must pass some tests, after which the teachers decide whether the child is ready to study in a regular local school. This option is fantastic if you decide to settle in this new country and want your child to have a fully immersive experience there.
Our Experience
Our child attended an international school with a dual language program- English and Czech. As a result, they became proficient in both.
Mind you, we are not native speakers of any of these languages and speak totally different languages at home.
After our move to Canada, our kids easily adapted to the new environment because they could speak English right from the start.
Moreover, we found a way to support their Czech language by attending an online Czech school designed for Czech kids living abroad because my kid knew Czech almost on a native speaker level.
Here, I want to give a quick shoutout to our favorite school in Prague – the International Montessori School of Prague. This is the only school in Prague that was certified by the American Montessori Society, and they follow the Montessori curriculum to the letter.
And our most loved part – they have the dual language program and a beautiful and rich in play equipment garden that no one can beat. The school sits next to the forest and has an amazing, caring staff and leadership.
Disclaimer: This is not an ad but our sincere opinion.
Travel is rich with learning opportunities, and the ultimate souvenir is a broader perspective. - Rick Steves
Building a Community and Social Life Abroad
When we relocate our families, we often seek more than new scenery. It's about laying roots and fostering relationships that could enrich us. Below, we navigate avenues for casting a social net wide and integrating our families into vibrant, supportive communities.
Making First Friends in a New Country
Finding new friends in a foreign country is crucial for our kids' wellbeing. Expatriate families often look for others in similar situations, which can provide a mutual understanding and sense of belonging. Moreover, local expat-led events offer invaluable opportunities to meet peers.
For our younger children, regular playdates can create a mini social network for both them and us. Libraries, parks, or family-friendly eateries become prime locales for such connections. Meanwhile, including teenagers in community service projects can empower them to contribute while networking.
Expanding the Friend Circle for Your Kids
Create a list of after-school activities your kids attend and enjoy in your home country. Try to find similar activities in their new country. Thus, you will help the kids quickly befriend peers with similar interests. But do not overwhelm your kids with stuffing all the activities in their schedule right upon arrival.
It is best to let the kids transition to a new school routine and gradually add all the activities several months after their arrival.
How to Quickly Connect Your Kids with New Classmates
Celebrate your kid's Birthday in the new country by inviting all the kids from their new class. This is the smart way to help your child get to know and befriend their new classmates and for you to befriend the kid's parents and expand your network.
Also, by inviting everybody to an excellent place for a Birthday, you improve your kid's status in the eyes of his new classmates and give your child a boost of self-confidence.
This strategy works well for preschool and elementary school children, but even for teens, it might help them to blend better with the new group of kids.
But you must invest in an incredibly cool place to celebrate a teen's Birthday. A simple jump park or laser tag will not do in this case. Let me know if you want a few ideas for teen Birthday celebrations.
Navigating Healthcare in a Foreign Country
When relocating abroad with your family, securing healthcare is a paramount concern.
Health Insurance for Expats
As expats, we must understand the local insurance landscape. We should know whether the new country of residence has a public healthcare system and what coverage is provided.
Often, investing in expat health insurance is a wise decision to cover the gaps in public healthcare services and ensure access to private facilities.
Once we have our insurance sorted, finding quality medical care is our next step. Start with recommendations from other expats or the local consulate to find trusted doctors and healthcare facilities.
Always confirm that the healthcare provider accepts your insurance before scheduling an appointment.
Vaccination
While in your home country, take the list of kids' vaccinations from their pediatrician or family doctor. After you arrive, it will be easier for you to consult a new family doctor about the immunization schedule in the new country.
Emergency Medical Care
Look in advance and add to your GPS navigator the address of an emergency room, walk-in clinic, minor injury clinic for kids in your area where staff can speak English in case you don't speak the local language.
Which Country Is the Best for Living with Kids?
We know that living abroad can be a life-changing adventure for a family. Deciding on the best country to relocate to with children involves considering factors such as education, healthcare, and the general quality of life. Let's explore some top options, ensuring a smoother transition for all kids, from toddlers to teens.
Based on UNICEF's assessments, which often focus on factors like education quality, healthcare accessibility, safety, and overall child welfare, here are some of the top countries considered best for families with children:
These countries consistently rank well due to their excellent public services, inclusive educational systems, and strong welfare policies that support children's development and family wellbeing.
The Best Country to Raise a Family in the World
According to various studies and indexes that consider factors like education, healthcare, safety, and family-friendliness, Denmark often tops the list.
Why Denmark?
Education: Denmark boasts a high-quality educational system that is free to all residents, promoting inclusivity and comprehensive learning from a young age.
Healthcare: The Danish healthcare system is universally accessible and largely free, ensuring that all families receive excellent medical care without significant financial burden.
Work-Life Balance: Denmark is famous for its work-life balance, with laws that support flexible working hours and extensive parental leave policies, allowing parents to spend time with their children without sacrificing their career progression.
Safety: Denmark is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and high public trust in law enforcement.
Child Welfare: The country strongly emphasizes child welfare and development, with various government programs designed to support children's physical, mental, and social development.
Happiness: Denmark regularly appears at the top of the UN World Happiness Report, reflecting its residents' high quality of life and general satisfaction.
However, we don't suggest relocating to Denmark based solely on some rankings.
In our opinion, Denmark is not a country for everyone.
The one and biggest drawback of Denmark is its weather. The dull and rainy days can overshadow all the other excellent benefits of living there. This is especially true for people suffering from seasonal depressions and weather-sensitive kids.
Choosing the Best Country for Family Life
From our experience, the most crucial aspect to consider when choosing to live in a non-English-speaking country is its society. If you plan to settle in another country for an extended period, it's essential to consider some often-overlooked factors.
Take, for instance, how locals perceive foreigners.
Trust me, even if you live in a cozy expat-filled neighborhood and work for an international company, you'll still interact with locals daily.
If the local residents are intimidated by foreigners, hold conservative views, or are unwelcoming towards foreign workers, you'll feel societal pressure in everyday activities, from commuting on a bus to shopping for groceries.
It doesn't matter where you're from, as racism and xenophobia are unfortunately rising globally.
Moreover, it's essential to think about the environment your children will face, which could be hostile.
We strongly recommend doing thorough research. Read Facebook groups for expats living in the country you're considering to gauge how locals feel about foreigners.
However, learning the local language to at least a conversational level and not imposing English on the locals can significantly expand your network and improve your opportunities.
When you travel with children you are giving something that can never be taken away: experience, exposure, and a way of life. - Pamela Chandler
What is the Best Age to Move with Kids?
Deciding the best age to move with our kids is no simple task, as every age group presents its own set of opportunities and challenges. Here's a breakdown to consider:
Toddlers (Ages 1-3):
Adaptability is High, but Routine is Key
- Toddlers are remarkably adaptable. They may easily accept a new environment as their norm.
- However, maintaining routines is crucial. Regular nap times, mealtimes, and play sessions provide security amidst change.
Preschoolers (Ages 3-5):
Imagination and Storytelling Aid the Transition
- Preschoolers can benefit from storytelling. Before the move, you can read books about new countries or cities. From our experience, watching YouTube vlogs that showcase daily life, natural beauty, and fun activities in the new country can get kids excited and looking forward to the move.
- They can express feelings through play. Engage in role-playing games to help them understand the move.
School-Age Children (Ages 6-12):
Peer Relationships Become Significant
- This age group starts valuing friendships more. Participation in local activities can help them form new bonds.
- Let's involve them in planning. Discussing the new school and visiting places online can make the change exciting.
Teenagers (Ages 13-18):
Independence and Identity are Developing
- Teenagers often resist change due to strong peer connections. It would help if you emphasized the unique opportunities awaiting them abroad.
- Maintaining open communication is key. Encourage discussion and acknowledge their feelings.
As you see, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Our kids' individual personalities and developmental stages will guide our decisions. Our support and understanding are most important during this significant family transition.
How Does Moving Abroad Affect a Child?
Relocating to a new country takes its toll on everyone, but for children, who may not fully understand the reasons behind the move, it can be particularly impactful. We'll explore the nature of this impact and how adjustment periods may vary.
Is Moving Traumatic for Kids?
The experience of moving abroad can be profoundly disruptive for children.
Their sense of security is often closely tied to familiar routines and environments. When we move abroad, we're not just transitioning to a new home but often an entirely different culture and language, which can be overwhelming.
For young children, the move might affect their developing sense of stability, while older kids might grapple with the loss of their social circles and established identity.
How Long Does It Take Kids to Adjust To Moving?
The adjustment period for kids moving abroad can be quite variable. Factors like age, personality, and the support they receive play significant roles.
- Toddlers (Under 4 years old): Often adapt within a few months as they are still forming their social and environmental awareness.
- School-age Children (5 to 12 years old): Depending on the individual and the level of support, they might need from 6 months to a year to feel comfortable.
- Teenagers (13 years and older): It may take even longer—sometimes over a year—for them to fully adjust to the move as their social ties and educational continuity are more deeply affected.
The adjustment process is a spectrum, and while these time frames offer a general idea, individual experiences will vary. Encouraging open communication and providing reliable emotional support are critical steps we can take to ensure a smoother transition for our children.