Relocating to a new country can be a life-changing experience, filled with anticipation and opportunity. However, it also brings a unique set of challenges, especially when children are adjusting to a new school, language, and daily routine. The process of settling in can feel daunting at first, with unfamiliar systems, social dynamics, and cultural differences to navigate.
Our resource here is designed to support families during this important transition. Whether you're moving for work, adventure, or education, the practical tips shared here will help you create a smooth path forward. From preparing ahead of the move to building lasting support networks, our team’s insights aim to help your child and your family feel confident, connected, and ready to thrive.
Preparing for the Move
Settling in starts long before your flight. Researching the local culture, language, and daily life will ease the initial adjustment. Look into practical areas such as healthcare access, transport options, mobile providers, and housing availability. For students, understanding school expectations, such as homework routines, timetables, and uniform requirements, can help reduce uncertainty. Some families find it useful to follow local expat forums or read blogs from others who’ve recently made a similar move.
Engage with Your New School in Advance
Reaching out to your child’s new school before arrival can make a world of difference. Many international schools offer virtual tours, parent webinars, or welcome packs that outline the academic programme, extracurriculars, and student support systems. If possible, schedule a conversation with the admissions team or a teacher who can walk you through the curriculum and transition process. At NIST International School, for example, our dedicated community teams help new families feel at home from day one.
Involve Your Children in the Process
Children may feel uncertain about the move, especially if they are leaving behind friends or familiar routines. Involve them by exploring your destination together online, letting them help with packing, or choosing items for their new room. For younger children, books or videos about moving can help open up conversations, while older students may benefit from connecting with student ambassadors (Samakee Ambassadors at NIST) or online orientation programmes before the term begins.
Creating a Sense of Home
Establish Familiar Routines
One of the simplest ways to bring stability into a new environment is by maintaining routines that feel familiar. Keeping consistent wake-up times, family meals, and bedtime rituals provides a sense of normality, especially for younger children. Unpacking key personal items early, such as favourite books, toys, or family photos, can also help children feel more grounded in the new space.
Explore the Local Area as a Family
Getting to know your surroundings can make a new country feel more welcoming. Start with short walks around your neighbourhood, visit nearby parks or cafés, and locate essential services like supermarkets and pharmacies. If your child takes the school bus or local transport, try the route together in advance. This not only builds confidence but also helps everyone in the family feel more connected and capable in their new setting.
Navigating School Life
Adjusting to a new education system can take time. Whether your child is joining an IB programme, British curriculum, or another international framework, it’s helpful to understand how it may differ from their previous schooling. Ask teachers about assessment styles, subject choices, and available support. When starting at NIST, academic and wellbeing teams work closely with families to guide students through this transition, often tailoring learning plans to meet individual needs.
Scenes from our recent 4th annual Community Partnership Week, where students connected with secondary service groups and local partners
Keep expectations realistic; your child might take a few weeks or months to fully adapt. Celebrate small steps: participating in class, completing homework independently, or making progress in a second language. These moments build both confidence and momentum.
Help Build Social Connections
Friendships can shape how quickly children feel settled. Encourage them to join after-school activities, lunchtime clubs, or sports teams that reflect their interests. These settings offer a relaxed space to meet peers and practise language skills naturally.
Parents can support this by organising casual meetups or playdates with classmates. Even attending school events together as a family helps children feel more included. Many international schools also host welcome mornings or orientation days, which are excellent opportunities to connect with others in the same situation.
Building a Support Network
Settling into a new country becomes much easier when you feel part of a community. Try joining school-run parent groups, coffee mornings, or welcome events where you can meet others going through similar transitions. These gatherings are often informal and friendly, providing a natural space to ask questions, share experiences, and find helpful local advice.
Look After Your Own Wellbeing Too
When supporting children through change, it’s easy to overlook your own adjustment. Prioritising your wellbeing helps the whole family. Take time to explore interests, join an exercise class, or attend a language course. Even small moments of self-care — taking a walk, enjoying a quiet coffee, or reconnecting with friends — can help restore balance.
Embracing the New Culture
Living abroad offers children a powerful opportunity to expand their worldview. Encourage them to ask questions, try local foods, and take part in cultural events. Whether it's joining in Songkran festivities in Thailand or learning greetings in the local language, these small acts help children feel more connected and open to their surroundings.
Our students enjoying the festivities at this year’s school Songkran event
Families can also make cultural exploration a shared experience. Visiting museums, parks, watching local films with subtitles, or reading books about local traditions together makes discovery enjoyable and meaningful.
Maintain Your Family’s Cultural Identity
Adapting to a new culture doesn’t mean leaving your own behind. Keeping home traditions alive, whether through food, language, music, or celebrations, gives children a strong sense of identity. This can be especially grounding during times of change.
Share your culture with others, too. Children might bring a traditional dish to a class event or teach a favourite game from home. Many international schools, including NIST, celebrate diversity through various special international days, where families are invited to showcase their heritage and learn from one another in a spirit of mutual respect.
An example of Year 13's Dress Up Week, which offered a diverse range of themes, celebrating different cultures
Confident Steps Forward
Adjusting to life in a new country is rarely a single moment. It involves embracing a process of building confidence, routines, and relationships over time. From preparing well in advance to supporting your child’s academic and emotional transition, every small step helps create a smoother, more positive international relocation experience for the whole family.
At NIST, we are here to support you through the journey, with dedicated resources and a welcoming community that understands the challenges of international relocation.