The Right Mindset

Tips for Expat Parents

Moving Abroad: The Right Mindset For Moving Overseas (Part 2)

Achieving Happiness Abroad

Last week, we touched on the basics of Cognitive Therapy and how it might be useful on your expatriate journey. As the month of your move draws near, we want to offer you some ideas about how to think about your move.

Actually, rather than give you some ideas, maybe we want to challenge you a little. Some of this we've written about before, but we want to give it to you in a short list. One that's easy to run through in your head.

1.) You are the only one who can choose to take the appropriate steps to adjust abroad. Will you get out and meet others? Will you be quick to act, within the framework of the country's culture, to address problems as they arise? Will you get completely unpacked and moved to help you feel settled? When needed and appropriate, will you step outside your comfort level?

2.) You can only change your own behavior. Don't expect the new culture to change for you. People rigid in their approach to work, family and life in general, will likely struggle abroad. Can you choose to be flexible enough to make the necessary changes for you to succeed in the new culture?

3.) Remember that how you feel about something is important, but in order to be happy, what you do is more important. Research has demonstrated this. Those people that use active approaches to settling in abroad will be more successful and/or happy in their new life.

4.) What do you want to get out of your new life abroad? What do you have to do to make this happen? Remember the first item in this list - only you can make this happen!

5.) Often, we choose to focus on the past because it helps us avoid dealing with the present. Ask yourself, "what can I do today to help me not only feel settled, but feel great about the fact that I've embraced an international adventure?"

See that? Short and sweet... but if you really take a leap of faith and try to incorporate each item in this list into your new life, the worst case scenario is that you will have learned how to actively work on making yourself happy, wherever you are. Then, you can continue to experiment in all areas of your life until you find something that works for you, and if applicable, your family.

This Issue Written by Joshua Wood

Joshua Wood is one of the owners of ExpatExchange.com. In addition to expatriates and international relocation, he has written about numerous other topics over the last 15 years. He is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist, and one of his primary areas of interest is the psychological impact of international relocation.