How to be happy while on an international assignment?

1.Protect Relationships – You can’t over communicate before, during and after an international assignment with a spouse and children. Each person will be feeling different stresses during the process. Sharing these feelings will be an opportunity for the family to grow closer to one another as they are honest with each other. 

2.Join a community – This is especially important if one spouse is relocating based on the other spouses career. A trailing spouse not adjusting to life abroad is the number one reason for failed assignments.

3.Prepare for culture shock – Culture shock is often a reality of an international relocation to another country. However, if you can manage your own expectations and approach it effectively it should not be problem for your assignment.
 
4.Pick a good school – Picking schools for your kids might be one of the most difficult decisions you have to make. Take your time, do research, and find a school that meets your kid’s needs.

5.Manage your expectations – By the very nature of living in a foreign country things are going to be different than they were back home. Embrace these changes and be thankful for what you have. Sometimes changes in perspective can make all the difference.

6.What makes you happy at home? – Whatever it is you do at home that makes you happy do that as much as you are able in your new location. Do you like to run outside? Don’t stop because you moved to a new location. Do you like to take your wife out to dinner? Enjoy the adventure of finding restaurants you both love in your new location.

Most importnat is be positive, you have to change your perspective if you want to be happy,


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