The school year in Europe is coming to an end.  Excitement is in the air as people are starting to get ready for the summer holidays. However, many people have to say goodbye to friends and prepare for a new beginning in another country.

Adapting to a new school and country

Zander joined the international school in August 2019. He settled in well. He has awesome friends from all over the world, and together they are adapting to a new country. We enjoy the new adventure but still have challenges. Due to the language and culture of another country, we often do not understand certain things. The long dark winters and the loss of family and friends are challenging. Covid-19 certainly also made its contribution to the list of challenges.

The reality of an international school like the Inter-Community School Zurich (ICS) is that people come and go constantly and must regularly go through changes and adjustments. Most families at school live in a country for an average of three years and then move on to another country. A response to my semi-Afrikaans farewell letter, provides a good example of this.

Comments from a Dutch mom preparing for their move

Thank you for the note. I cannot really say that we are returning home. We left the Netherlands (NL) 22 years ago and hardly ever went back. We were always joking that we only went back for weddings and funerals. Of course, the kids are Dutch but never lived in NL. They see Switzerland as their home. Out of 22 years abroad, we lived 11 years in Switzerland (in 3 entries). When living in Dubai or Germany, we went to Switzerland for home leave. There are mixed emotions in the family. 

It will be good for the kids to live in their ‘native’ country for some years. It is a good career opportunity for my husband, but we are not all happy to be moving to the NL. My son just does not want to go. His first reaction was to find another family in Switzerland to live with. He received some offers! It is funny to read and understand the Afrikaans language!

So many languages

The international school has many processes to help these parents and children who arrive and depart deal with the change. Many of the children who arrive at the school cannot even speak English properly. There are dedicated English teachers to help them. The children must learn German as a second language and from grade 6 also French or Spanish.  Zander is doing well with the German but finds the Spanish very challenging. He must also maintain his Afrikaans for when we go back to South Africa.

Third Culture Kids

As a result of globalization, there is a group of children growing up in countries other than where they were born. These children are referred to as Third Culture Kids (TCK). They do not learn the culture of their country of birth. Because they move around, they also do not acquire the culture of the residence country. They learn the mixed culture of the families of the international school which they attend. It is therefore called a Third Culture.

The advantage of the situation for the children is that they are very adaptable and have many contacts and knowledge of different countries and cultures. The disadvantage of the situation is that children struggle with identity. Culture is critical for the development of your identity.  It helps individuals answering the questions of “Who am I?” and “Where do I come from?

Change is part of life

Change is part of the rhythm and nature of life. We need to see the role of change positively and integrate it into our lives without fear. Change helps us become aware of new things, learn new skills, and in the process, get to know ourselves better.

Kind regards

Emsia