Life is an adventure, right? Giving your child as many exciting experiences as possible in a safe way is a parenting goal for most people. If you live in the USA, you will probably never have the chance to introduce your child to every part of this fantastic country, but even so, wouldn’t it be great to spend a while living in a completely different culture with your child? So why would living abroad with your kids be so great for them?
Living abroad will give your kids confidence
Living in a different culture teaches your child a great lesson in mixing easily with others. The first time many kids meet someone with a different upbringing is when they leave for college and sometimes not even then as kids from the same background and schools tend to end up at college together anyhow. Living in a different country gives your child the opportunity to develop confidence in situations they wouldn’t meet in their home country. The ease at adapting to various life situations and feeling comfortable with very different people is a great life skill. It is a hallmark of many highly successful business people.
Broaden your child’s mind
It is a parent’s job to raise their child’s awareness of the different lives that people lead elsewhere in the world. Spending time in certain parts of Africa, Asia, or elsewhere could open your child’s eyes to how many other children live in poverty. At the same time, living in a society where children do not possess all the material ‘advantages’ of children from prosperous countries can also make your children understand that material possessions and toys are unnecessary for a happy life.
A great learning experience
As you know, children are like sponges, and the more varied experiences they have, the more they learn. The experience of living in a different country will mean that your child is constantly seeing and trying new things from foods to building to traditions. All this will be excellent for their intellectual development. Every day will be an exciting school day!
Your child could be bi-lingual!
Just one of the fantastic things that your child could learn in a different country is a foreign language. Research suggests that learning a second language in childhood is excellent for developing problem-solving, critical thinking, concentration, listening, and multi-tasking skills. In addition to all these benefits, a second language could give your child significantly enhanced educational and career opportunities at a later age.
The dull stuff
Why not approach your company to ask for a transfer abroad for a while. Perhaps you could find a job yourself in another country? Don’t forget the necessary administration and visas, even if you only plan to stay for a short while. If you are looking to come to the US, you will need to consult an immigration lawyer about gaining the right to work or adjustment of status. Every country requires something different, so be sure to make your arrangements in good time.
Leave a Reply