Wellbeing Abroad: Keeping Children Grounded in an International School
Moving your family overseas is a big change. Especially for children. There’s a new country to get used to, possibly a new language, new classmates and a school system that might be completely different from what they’re used to back home.
And while there’s plenty to organise before a move, it’s often the emotional side of things that parents worry about most. Will the children settle? Will they make friends? What if they miss home?
Here are some of the questions you might have when it comes to helping your child settle into an international school.
My child was settled at home. Will an international move really affect their wellbeing?
It probably will, at least for a little while. Moving abroad means leaving behind familiar routines, friendships and everything that makes home feel like home. So it’s completely understandable if children feel a bit unsettled at first.
Some children will throw themselves into their new surroundings, while others might take longer to find their feet. And that’s OK.
The important thing is not to expect everything to fall into place straight away. Give them time to adjust. It might take a few weeks, a whole term or even longer.
How do I know if a school takes wellbeing seriously?
It’s easy to be impressed by a lovely school website or glossy prospectus, but it’s worth looking a little deeper.
Who can your child talk to if they’re struggling? How does the school help new pupils settle in? Is there a buddy system? And what support is available during those first few weeks?
A good international school should be able to answer these questions clearly. After all, pastoral care isn’t just something that looks good in a brochure. It should be part of everyday school life.
It’s also worth looking into whether a school has been inspected and accredited under the British Schools Overseas (BSO) scheme. When researching your options, you may also come across an independent accreditation body for British schools overseas, although it’s important to check the school’s actual inspection and accreditation status separately.
What can I do at home to keep my child grounded?
Try to keep a few things familiar.
It could be something as simple as having their favourite meal on a Friday, sticking to the usual bedtime routine or arranging regular video calls with grandparents and friends back home.
Those little things can make a big difference when everything else feels new.
It’s also important to let children talk about how they’re feeling. Moving abroad can be exciting, but that doesn’t mean every day will be easy. There might be days when they love their new life and others when they just want everything to go back to how it was.
And sometimes, they might feel both at once.
Should I worry if my child misses home?
Not necessarily. Missing home is a perfectly normal part of moving somewhere new.
Your child has left behind people, places and routines they know and love. Of course they’re going to miss them.
Rather than trying to cheer them up straight away or pointing out all the wonderful things about their new home, give them space to feel sad sometimes.
You can still encourage them to look forward to new experiences, but they need to know it’s OK to miss their old life too.
And missing home doesn’t mean the move was a mistake.
How important are friendships in all this?
Really important.
For children, having someone to sit with at lunch or chat to during break time can make a huge difference to how they feel about school.
One of the challenges of international schools is that families may move around more often, so friendships can change. But on the plus side, many international school communities are used to welcoming new children.
Encourage your child to try a club or after-school activity, particularly if it’s something they already enjoy. Whether that’s football, drama, music or something completely different, having a shared interest can make those first conversations a little easier.
They might not make their new best friend on day one, but friendships will hopefully start to develop as they settle in.
When should I ask the school for extra support?
If you’re worried about how your child is coping, don’t feel you have to wait before speaking to the school.
It’s normal for children to have ups and downs during a big move, but if you’ve noticed changes in their mood, sleep or behaviour, it’s worth having a conversation with their teacher or pastoral team.
You know your child best, and sometimes even a quick chat can help you work out whether they just need a bit more time or some extra support.
Schools would much rather know when a child is struggling than have parents feel they need to deal with everything on their own.
Does the quality of the school really make a difference to wellbeing?
Absolutely. When children feel safe, supported and included at school, it can make settling into a new country that little bit easier.
A school with good pastoral care, approachable teachers and a welcoming community can make all the difference, particularly during those first few months.
This is also where school inspections and accreditation can be useful. The British Schools Overseas (BSO) scheme provides a way for parents to check whether participating schools meet recognised standards, including those relating to pupils’ welfare and safeguarding.
If you’re comparing British schools abroad, you can find out more about the sector through https://aobso.uk, alongside checking individual schools’ inspection reports.
Helping children feel at home in a new country
Moving abroad as a family is a big adventure, but it’s also a lot of change for children to deal with.
There will probably be a few wobbles along the way. Days when they miss their friends, struggle with something at school or wish they were back home.
But with patience, familiar routines and the right support from school, children can gradually find their feet and start to feel at home in their new surroundings.
And hopefully, they’ll come away from the experience with new friendships, more confidence and plenty of memories too.
This article was contributed by the team at the Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO), a membership association supporting British schools around the world. AoBSO works with schools and the wider British international education community to promote high standards and support schools in providing a positive educational experience for pupils.
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