Moving for work, or relocation, might be easy for someone who’s at the beginning of their career or doesn’t have a family yet. But handling such change with a whole family proves to be a difficult task. Everything needs to be thought through, each step carefully planned, and each family member needs to be prepared for a radical change their life.
However, in this article, we’re going to focus on a temporary move for work (a work internship, establishing a new company branch, which can be both easier, or harder – depending on how long this change is going to last and how old your children are.
The difficulty of this kind of relocation is very individual, but you should never neglect the following 4 points:
Carefully research the new place
Research of the new place should be done before you agree to move there. Find out what the living expenses are like in the new country and if the lifestyle would suit you and your family. Can your husband/wife also find work there? What language is spoken? Will you also need to speak the language, or can you communicate in, say, English, on a day-to-day basis?
It’s also important to realise that moving for work can be convenient for you, but not for your family. It’s definitely not an easy decision.
Find suitable housing
Ensuring suitable housing for you whole family should be your first and most important task. Keep in mind that finding a suitable place that will fit your needs, or where you and your family will feel well and safe, can take weeks, which is why you should start as soon as possible
While you’re looking for suitable housing for your family, you should definitely consult a contact person in that country (e.g. an HR manager). Ask them for help or at least for advice. Some companies offer their employees company housing at least for a few months. Find out if your company offers this benefit and suggest Flatio for Business as a solution – a special platform for companies that provide housing for their employees.
Prepare your children for change
Children are exceptionally sensitive regarding change. A stable background and a loving family and friends are all very important for their development. If you decide to move for work with your small children, you need to prepare them for this change.
One of the biggest changes for your children will be transfer to a new school. Choosing the right school is extremely important. If your children are pre-school aged, you can cross this task off.
If you’re moving only for a few months, you can solve this problem by home schooling. If that isn’t the case, you need to find a suitable school that will allow your child to join the ongoing school year. The language barrier could become a problem. You should consult a contact person before making the final choice and don’t forget to read references. Also get in touch with your child’s current school and inform the teachers of the upcoming move. Consult the necessary steps and agree upon the eventual conditions.
Secure medical care for your family
Before your departure, pick up the medical records of all your family members – this will prevent eventual complications in case you need medical attention. Don’t forget insurance, too. Leaving this step out could cost you a lot in case of injury.
