1. Managing Transitions, Adjustments and Culture Shock
Bumps Along the Way
Managing Transitions,
Adjustments and Culture Shock

2. What grades are your children in?
Your name
What grades are your children in?
How long have you been in St. Petersburg?
Where were you living before?
How many international moves have you had?
10 minutes
5 minute discussion – 5 minute feedback

3. Why are we here? Your expectations and hopes for this workshop
5 minutes

4. Agenda Introductions Expectations for this Workshop
Definition of Culture Shock
One model: The “U” Curve
Bumps Along the Way – Activity
Ideas to help with your Transition
How can you support your children
How we support you kids at school
How can you help?
Closing and Feedback
2 minutes

5. Culture Shock A few definitions:
Culture Shock refers to the feelings of distress and unease when being exposed to a foreign culture.
A condition of confusion and anxiety affecting a person suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar culture or environment.
A communication problem that involves the frustrations that come from the lack of understanding of the verbal and nonverbal communication of the new culture, its customs and its value systems.
Not knowing how to ask for cheese at the grocery store.
1 minute

6. The “U Curve” U-Curve: Stages of Adjustment Home Country Host Country
Pre-departure
Honeymoon
Disintegration
Reintegration
Autonomy
Independence
U-Curve: Stages of Adjustment
Adapted from “Orientated for Success”, edited by M. Barker
5 minutes

7. ACTIVITY BUMPS ALONG THE WAY 60 minutes Visualisation – 5 minutes
Choosing cards 10 minutes
Sharing 15 minutes
Writing tools on paper 10 minutes
Making boats 10 minutes
Putting boats on water and sharing 10 minutes
ACTIVITY
BUMPS ALONG THE WAY

8. Ideas for you… Realize that what you are experiencing is normal
Look for the humor in things
Do something nice for yourself – take care of your needs
Stay in contact with good friends and extended family
Start a web log or make a scrapbook
Avoid negative-thinking people
Exercise
Get involved with the school or parent groups
Speak with someone who is going through or has been through the cycle
Talk to school staff
Learn about the curriculum
Remember your skills, strengths and resources
5 minutes

9. Sharing Ideas…
In pairs discuss ideas and strategies that you have found helpful when moving with your children… past and present
10 minutes

10. How to help your children
Be sure to look after yourselves
Both parents should display a positive yet realistic attitude, as this resonates within the family
Be a role model for appropriate ways to handle feelings
Talk openly and acknowledge feelings
Involve your children in the move as early and as much as possible
10 minutes

11. Try to maintain daily routines, and maybe add one.
Remember that the concerns of children differ from those of parents.
Encourage both maintaining old friendships and making new ones

12. Encourage your children to be involved in their new communities
LISTEN, be patient, empathize, and do not underestimate the stress of your child.
Be aware that children adapt to new environments at different rates
Look for warning signs of children not adjusting well
Laugh early and often
Take a creative lead in exploring the new environment and culture.
Fight the urge to totally ‘clean house.’

13. What do we do to support your children?
Understanding and supportive faculty
Peer helpers
New Student Check-in
Open Door
Two-way communication
Use your School Counselor
5 minutes

14. Resources for you… Books
The Expert Expatriate, Your Guide to Successful Relocation Abroad by Melissa Brayer Hess and Patricia Linderman, Intercultural Press, Yarmouth, ME, USA, 2002.
A Broad Abroad: The Expat Wife's Guide to Successful Living Abroad, by Robin Pascoe, Expatriate Press, Vancouver, Canada, 2009.
Families on the Move, by Marion Knell, Monarch Books, London, UK, 2001.
Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere: Insights into Counseling the Globally Mobile by Lois J. Bushong, Mango Tree Intercultural Services, Indianapolis, USA, 2013.
Third Culture Kids, the Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds by David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken, revised edition Nicholas Brealey, Boston, MA, 2009.
Raising Global Nomads by Robin Pascoe, Expatriate Press, Vancouver, Canada, 2006.
Expat Teens Talk by Dr. Lisa Pittman and Diana Smit, Summertime Publishing, Great Britain, 2012.
Home Keeps Moving by Heidi Sand-Hart, McDougal Publishing, 2010.
The Global Nomad’s Guide to University Transition, by Tina Quick, Summertime Publishing, 2010.

15. Websites, Films and Magazines
TCKid.com A non-profit community of over 21,000 members dedicated to help third culture kids connect and find a sense of belonging.
So Where’s Home? A Film About Third Culture Kid Identity from Adrian Bautist.
The Road Home film.
Among Worlds Magazine by Interaction International - addresses adult TCK (ATCK) issues.
Interact Magazine by Interaction International - magazine for TCKs, their parents.
International Family Magazine - where family members worldwide can share their stories.
Denizen Magazine – online magazine for and about and
written by TCK.

16. Feedback