A+ Expat Corner: What It’s Like to Be an Expat Family
In a 2017 report, there are roughly 50.5 million expats worldwide, a large portion of this number are families with children. The inbound countries included the United States, Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, and Brazil.
Being an expat is a tough and rewarding experience. You need to settle a brand new life while finding new friends, exploring a different culture, and working in an unfamiliar environment. But moving to a new country with your family, especially with kids, is a different journey to embark on.
The ins and outs of family expatriation
Depending on their age and personality, your children have their own concerns about expatriation. Your four-year-old son might think about the toys he will be leaving behind. For your teenager, she might worry about being isolated and getting a new circle of friends.
When you involve your children in the process of moving abroad, you might build their confidence and convince them that this big move is a favorable and exciting change. Here are some of the pros and cons of being an expat family:
Finding the right schools for the kids
School is the best place to make new friends for your kids. When relocating overseas, this is one of the hardest choices to make as a parent. The school system in your home country may be different in this new one.
International schools also come with a heavy price tag but sometimes, a parent’s employer pays for tuition, depending on the contract. Local schools are usually free for expats in Singapore and other countries.
Dealing with a language barrier
Being unfamiliar with the local language of your destination can get you into sticky situations such as getting lost from the road signs and improper communication with the locals.
Studies have shown that young children pick up a language so much easier than adults. For a teenager, it can be a tiresome activity. The best way to practice is to speak the language on a daily basis to your kids and the process will simply become better.
Adjusting to weather and climate
The weather and climate in your new country can strongly affect your family’s daily activities and wellness. Getting prepared for extreme temperature changes can minimize health risks. For example, a family who grew up living in a hot and humid country may struggle to go to work or do grocery runs during winter in Canada.
Expatriate families should also prepare themselves for some lifestyle changes based on that country’s recorded high or low temperatures.
Having the coolest stories to share
“Remember when it is your first time to drive a tuk tuk in Thailand? Or when your family met a friendly cannibal tribe on a remote island in Vanuatu?”
As you meet a lot of new people with different lifestyles and cultures, you experience new things. This is one of the best things about being an expat.
Without a doubt, your strength, health, and purpose as an expat are not forever. When you are old enough and decide to go back to your home country, you will realize how lucky you are to live an unforgettable expat life with your family.
Enjoying the best of both worlds
Being an expat means you have a double life—two homes, two sets of friends, two cultures, and sometimes, two languages.
With international healthcare, you also get to have the best of both worlds. You can enjoy high-quality medical coverage in your home country and at the same time, get protected in the country you are moving to. Wherever you go, world-class care is within reach.
Why Choose A+ International Healthcare?
With A+ International Health Plans, you can have access to a network of 10,000 doctors, hospitals, and clinics in more than 150 countries. Each of our health plans is tailored to your specific needs. For as low as $28/month, EasyCare+ gives you international protection, whether you plan to travel or if you want to get the best healthcare locally.
Contact us to get in touch with our Brokers or Get a Quote now.
Since 2008, A+ International Healthcare has been providing best-in-class medical health plans around the world. To know more about our products and services, visit http://www.aplusii.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for more updates.
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