Moving Tour Family Overseas discusses the challenges of moving abroad which are faced by every member of the family.
In the families described in this book, the husband is usually the relocated employee and the wife is the homemaker. The book realistically addresses the kind of life most of these families are going to be leading when abroad, which will involve both substantive contact with the host culture and heavy dependence on the expatriate community.
Coauthored by an American and a Canadian and drawing on their personal experiences, it is consciously written and carefully designed for families from any country assigned overseas by their employers.
The authors discuss substantively the basic steps involved: deciding to go, preparing to leave, arriving and settling in, culture shock and cross-cultural adaptation, living in the expatriate community, and returning home. Maintaining a good balance between general advice and detailed suggestions, they carefully examine the major issues: informing the children and assisting them in adapting, making the most of a look- see trip, managing the household and dealing with servants, finding social outlets in the host country and expatriate community, keeping the family functioning as an effective unit, and coping with reverse culture shock upon returning home. The book is augmented by a series of enjoyable and topical cartoons.
It is noteworthy that one of the authors is a professional psychologist and counselor. The advice given in this book reflects the depth of perception and simple wisdom that a good counselor brings to the advisory role. While most people are able to muddle through their move abroad, the insights offered by the authors will make it an infinitely easier process and bring welcome order, manageability and enjoyment to this valuable cross-cultural experience.