Hi All,
My husband (an entertainer), young children, and I currently live in the Western U.S. My husband has been very underemployed this year, and cannot imagine doing anything outside his industry. Consequently, financial security has become a concern. My husband has the opportunity to work in a foreign country (where French and English are the primary languages) in October. During the winter, he will need to move to Las Vegas for a job that could last for a few months to many years. I am currently in a doctoral program with several years left to go. My children are in elementary school. They have been exposed to French and Spanish but are definitely more comfortable operating in English. I can communicate only the most basic of messages in French, which means there is virtually no chance for me to work in that country. My husband is a bit more advanced but not fluent in French. (It seems as though virtually everyone at this company is comfortable in both English and French, so he will not have a problem at work. He worked at that location last year without problems.) I think that my children can attend school in either French or English schools. I would like to let them attend a French school if they don't mind. One of my concerns involves them starting school there after the school year starts (late August). If we move according to the needs of the company, my children might need to enroll in four different schools in 12 months! As a former secondary teacher, I could probably home school my kids, but I would rather let my kids attend a good public school (and interact with kids their age on a daily basis) and then tutor my kids when they get home.
I could stay in our current home in the U.S. for the whole academic year, but my children would not see their father for approx. nine months. (They hate him being away for more than a few days. Life as a "single parent," is hard for me, too. I admire single parents and anyone who is trying to juggle many responsibilities.)
Does anyone have any experience living a "nomadic" family life, especially between countries that differ in language? Has anyone looked for a job in Las Vegas recently? If so, could you briefly describe your experience?
For reasons related to work, school, and home, I need to make a decision within a few days!
Thanks,
L
What country? In Canada English and French are the primary languages, but not everyone is bi-lingual. Those who speak English only can certainly find jobs in most regions, and those who can only speak French can also find work in many regions. Perhaps that will be the case where you are going?
My son went to 11 different school systems during his kindergarten through high school years, on 3 different continents, in 3 different countries, in large public schools, tiny public schools, small private religious school, small private non-religious school, and some homeschooling here and there. So yes, I have some experience in this!
My husband's job was military, but his specialty meant that he was not attached to American bases. In one country, we lived in the neighborhood in town, he worked on a foreign military base, and we changed apartments 3 times. In another job, he was one of only 2 American officers on the entire island and English was rarely spoken. One of the languages was a European one that we didn't speak and the other was an island dialect that is only spoken on 3 islands in the world. So, yeah, I have experience there too!
My kids thrived. They figured out stuff quickly. My son rode his bike to the store in Europe at age 11 and bought the ingredients for supper. The kids made friends and learned that if they were going to eat at school, they had better figure out the island dialect for how to order a sandwich.
I made sure they had lots of books to read, and I assumed (correctly, it turned out) that the social and cultural education would far outweigh any falling behind. I did anticipate that they would need some catching up when we returned, and I did get my son a tutor in math at a couple points in time, just to bring him up to speed.
One of the times we went, the kids were very little. Another time, they were in middle and high school. Each time it was so worthwhile.
I would encourage you to do it!
Sorry, my only Las Vegas experience is one week in a hotel one time, so I have no help there!
1) travel/living in a foreign country, is always educational.
BUT.... it also DEPENDS largely... upon IF an individual, can "acculturate" to that given country/people/culture.
If you cannot, then it will not be a nice time.
2) Speaking a foreign language, does not automatically mean... that the experience will be either good or bad. Because... the bottom line is: IF a person can ACCULTURATE... within... that given country/culture.
It requires, an ability, to do so. It is not just about being able to speak another language.
3) While in another country, you have to be able to flex a lot... in perceptions. And being able to, learn/experience that culture in its entirety.
4) If this is a Military type organization that your Husband will be employed with... then you will be in that microcosm.... of an environment and organizational "culture." So you would have to get used to that too.
In addition to, experiencing the overall country and its culture.
If this is a Corporation that your Husband will be a part of, then you will have that corporate "culture" to adjust to, too... but you will also hopefully get to know fellow ex-patriots, (Americans) that can help you all adjust.
I am an Anthropology Major, and have done field work etc. And I have lived in and been to foreign countries. I tend to immerse myself, in any given culture. The people who cannot adjust or have a hard time adjusting to other CULTURES or to another country... is mainly because they cannot acculturate, or do not want to.
It is a choice... but also a willingness. Or not.
That is the "advice" I can give you, per my own experience and training.
My Husband is from Europe. I am an American.
We speak those languages.
But speaking a language... versus being WITHIN that culture itself... are 2 very different things.
Both cultures, are VASTLY DIFFERENT... and in terms of how they raise children and teach them and in their academic atmosphere.
If you do move, I advise to get some cultural books, and learn about that country/its people/its ethos.
Hey there,
to be honest, I think this will be a matter of the heart for you more so than an objectively made decision? Are you and your kids ready for a big adventure? Are they interested? I would have loved to do something like that in elementary because I was bored and dying to move either to China or Africa - my dream-countries. My cousin's dad was a diplomat and I envied them for being able to move around and learn different languages.
Since it is only one year I think you could go for it without causing any damage. This may be the ONE YEAR they'll always remember and tell stories about.
I had a dance teacher who lived all over the world as a child because of her dad. She loved it, her sister did not deal well with it.
Talk to your kids. Are they excited at the thought? Or would you all rather have an easier and more comfortable year, even if without daddy?
Sleep over it another couple of nights. I am sure either way will work out for you, especially if it doesn't cause trouble with your school.
Good Luck and have FUN!
P.S.: My baby and I have lived in a couple of countries since he was born a year and a half-ago. It's not easy, but he is already so flexible and cool, and learning to speak English, German, and Dutch right now!
I would love to do it. I have lived abroad several times, and my husband and I are actually trying to figure out how to get our family the opportunity to live abroad sometime while the kids are still young (elementary-school age would be perfect). Just think of the education that the kids will get just by living in a foreign country!
I do think four schools is a bit much, though.
I don't know your family is up for the adventure, so I can't advise you in that sense. I can only tell you that I would be excited to take my family. ^_^
My parents moved us to Rio de Janeiro when I was in 5th grade. My brother and I didn't know the language at all. It was a wonderful experience and adventure. I have seen so many wonderful things that most people read about in books.
We moved every 2 1/2 to 3 years. My dad's company's motto was "move up, move out". So we moved out, alot! We were very close especially my brother, mother and I. Dad traveled alot. I wouldn't trade my childhood for anything.
Kids learn languages much easier when they are younger. I would do it in a heart beat.
I would do it. If he was military you could be moving from country to country just this way their whole lives. My friend who's husband was military did this. They would live in Alaska for a few months then moved to England, then back to the states somewhere, then off to Germany. Her kids are super smart and very adaptable.
The thing I see with families that live like this is that they are very close. They only have each other to depend on when they are all the new kids in the area so they grow close.
I think this is the perfect time for an adventure. Go for it!
I'd consider it. I have friends who moved from Canada to Greece for a time and another family that went to Israel for a year and half before the oldest child entered kindergarten. The kids learned a lot and seemed to do alright even though they mostly spoke English before the move. In the first family's case, the father is from Greece and taught his DD some Greek and in the second, they put the oldest child in an immersion preschool prior to the move. They've both said it was a good experience.
The only thing I'd keep an eye on is where the kids are in school. Friends went to Bermuda (I think) when they were young and when they returned, the school district said that they were behind per the standards for that district, even though they had been in school the whole time. They repeated a grade in the US (this can also happen w/in the US - my sister was a grade level behind in reading when we moved one state to another and Mom had to tutor her).
Similarly, about packing up and moving to a new school every 4 months - that would be hard. If that were the case, I'd be likely to homeschool the kids. There was a Super Nanny where they moved often and were constantly re-starting in a new school and I just felt so bad for the kids.
Consider Rosetta Stone for all of you to learn French.
Deployments and absences are hard. But see what can be worked out. If it's not feasible to go with him, then find ways to stay in touch. Skype is a wonderful thing.
I haven't looked for a job in Vegas recently. When I was looking several years back I went through an agency. You could try temp jobs until you figured out what you wanted to do.
Moving around the world is an education in itself. You learn how to do more by yourself for yourself. As for hubby being gone for nine months it is doable. You may not like it but you can make it knowing what the end game is all about.
Sit down and discuss what you two want as a goal for the next three years and plan how to get there. The kids will be fine. They will learn the language to get by and make new friends. You will learn the language and do things.
I recall going to Quebec (military assignment)for a four year stay and recalling my French from junior high school to get by. By the time we left there I was writing checks in French and could cook a meal from a French cookbook.
Enjoy the adventure. It is a chapter in your life.
The other S.
I think homeschooling would be best in your situation. Heavy on the French lessons so they can still make friends from the neighborhood, but I think it would suit you all best. My family moved and lived in Saudi Arabia, in my situation everything was provided, school and housing. For me I became too old to stay in country so I was sent to boarding school at 16. Since nothing is provided for you, then keeping yourselves flexible is best.
