The Global Phoenix - Issue 4 The Global Phoenix - Issue 4 | Page 41

Parents who themselves are on a first assignment
might not have the tools and resources to equip
and prepare their children, both on a practical
level and on a psychological level. Provision
of a pre-move pack with information on the
destination as well as specific cross-cultural input
will empower parents to prepare their children.
Be sure to include local information relevant
to the whole family: specifics on international
schools and facilities, sports and recreational
opportunities, extra curricular activities and
anything that will enable the children to visualise
and anticipate. It is also essential to include
information on meeting the child's psychological
and emotional needs during the experience. Note
our ‘Tips for Relocating Parents’ which could be
included in an info pack.
Most DSPs (Destination Service Providers) hold
a pre-move brief with the assignee, either over
the phone or via internet where they can ‘meet’
in a virtual setting pre-move. Why not include in
this pre-move assistance a session in which the
entire family can meet the individual that will be
assisting them once they arrive at the destination?
This could serve to personalise the entire
experience and build confidence. If feasible, a
virtual tour of their new school and home will also
enable the children to visualise what lies ahead
and start to make their own plans.
School selection is usually of paramount concern
when a parent assignee learns of their destination,
so sufficient weight should be given to this aspect
of the relocation process (See part 2 of this series,
‘The Education Dimension’, which addresses
aspects to be considered and compares curricula
and the learning/teaching culture of various
countries).
Children will have numerous questions about
their new country, their new home and school
as well as misgivings about leaving what is
familiar, such as schoolmates, extended family or
even a pet. Programming time to address these
concerns, along with those which might seem
insignificant to an adult, can alleviate their stress
and apprehension of the move and enable them
to build positive anticipation.
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