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Choosing The Perfect British Schools For International Families

Regardless of our background, social status, or cultural upbringing, there is one thing that can unite everyone around the world… a will to provide a better future for our children. The primary years spent growing physically and mentally are vital for every person’s own journey in life. As parents it’s a large responsibility to do...

Choosing a School In Australia

Australia has excellent state and independent schools to choose from. School education in Australia includes preschool, preparatory (or kindergarten), primary school, secondary school (or high school) and senior secondary school (or college). School education in Australia lasts for 13 years, and is compulsory between the ages of six and sixteen (Year 1 to Year 9...

Choosing Schools In Portugal

The programmes of international schools in Portugal vary from the International Baccalaureate (IB) to the British GCSE and GCE examination systems. All schools in Portugal are required to satisfy the requirements of the Portuguese national system. The International Baccalaureate Organisation’s Diploma Programme was created in 1968. It is a demanding pre-university course of study that...

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.