If a family-relocation is on the cards and you have no clue what to expect from changing schools - here's a little insight into what I experienced growing up and how it changed my life.
Being an expat can be transient, especially for kids – and I know that feeling well. The early years of education for most school-going kids are typically rooted in one place, a city or a town that they call home. However, my educational journey took me across various geographies and time zones, constantly adapting to new environments until I finally left for university. This unique experience was a result of my parents’ frequent work transfers, which uprooted our family every 2 to 3 years. My brother and I joined them wherever they went. So before I flew the nest to university, I had dropped anchor at seven schools in seven different cities.
Reflecting on my past, I can now see the positive, negative, and challenging aspects of changing schools frequently. Here’s what I learned on my education journey.
The pros and cons of changing schools
The pros
1. Learning to adapt to new surroundings
Adaptation became a crucial defence mechanism for me, enabling me to navigate the uncertainties that accompanied each school transition. In the face of change, I gradually discovered the art of shedding my inhibitions and embracing new environments. It was through these experiences that I honed my ability to blend in seamlessly, much like a chameleon, adjusting and thriving in different educational settings.
2. Making plenty of friends
Adapting to new environments meant searching for my core tribe—those who shared my interests. Though I met countless people in my early school years, a select few remain vividly etched in my memory. Their unique perspectives and impressive outlook on life left a lasting impact, assuring me that I wasn’t alone in my experiences.
3. Understanding that each chapter gives new opportunities
Switching schools turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Every time I changed schools, it was like hitting the restart button and discovering new ways to adapt and roll with the punches. Surprisingly, these transitions became my secret weapon, teaching me how to be flexible and resilient in the face of change.
4. There is never a dull moment
Besides playing tourist in every new city I landed in, getting the hang of classroom dynamics in each school was surprisingly entertaining. It exposed me to the good, the bad, and the ugly of classroom politics. But since I was the newbie, I found the theatrics more amusing than anything else. It was like watching a quirky show unfold before my eyes.
5. Exploring new cultures
Moving to different cities meant discovering a whole new world, from the flavours of local cuisine to the languages, cultures, and traditions. Surprisingly, I grew to look forward to these experiences and embraced them wholeheartedly. This enthusiasm even spilt into the classroom, where I felt like the Anthony Bourdain of the class, sharing my adventures and stories with my classmates. It was like adding a dash of excitement to my education, making it all the more enjoyable and memorable.
The cons
1. Each chapter is fleeting
In the midst of constant school changes, there were a few instances that meant the world to me. During those times, I found my vibe and connected with friends who became my tribe. However, the transient nature of my parents’ work transfers loomed like an ever-present ghost, reminding me that these moments would be fleeting.
2. Adapting to new environments can be daunting
Confession time: I’m an introvert. There, I said it! But over time, I learned to put on an extrovert-ish mask and adapt to each new school with apparent ease. You know what they say about appearances being deceiving? Well, it’s absolutely true! Even though I seemed to have it all together, inside, my fears would make me sweat, and my heart would thump like an elephant’s feet whenever I walked into a classroom filled with 30 to 40 new faces. The first day was always the toughest, the biggest hurdle to overcome.
3. You might be meeting your friends for the last time
The worst part was saying goodbye to my go to school gang. With every transfer to a new city, the chances of visiting them again grew slim. And to make matters worse, even if I did manage to visit after many years, we had all changed in ways we never saw coming. It was a bittersweet realisation that each school change meant a final farewell.
4. The memory demon
Meeting so many people as a young kid had its drawbacks. The memory demon got real, especially with the rise of social media. I’d receive countless friend requests from people I should have remembered, but my younger self couldn’t retain every name, class, or group of people I encountered. As an adult, I’ve learned to give myself the benefit of the doubt—it was just the way things were meant to be. Memories can be tricky, but hey, that’s life!
5. Feel like a foreigner everywhere
While exploring each city was undoubtedly a blast, my brother and I always longed for a sense of belonging. As exciting as it was to discover new places, we craved a place to call our own, a sense of rootedness that eluded us during our frequent moves.
Lessons I learnt along the way
1. Home is wherever the family is
With each new move, my brother and I longed to stay and establish a sense of belonging. But as we grew older, we realised that home is wherever our parents are, and the physical setting mattered less. Family became our true anchor, making the change of scenery less significant over time.
2. Forge positive relationships
Forging new relationships had its ups and downs. We encountered a few soursops along the way, but we didn’t let them hold us back. We realised the world is full of countless fish in the sea, so we focused on moving forward and nurturing positive friendships. Life’s too short to dwell on the negatives, after all.
3. You are your best friend
Although we moved around as a family, when I came face to face with a new school, the ball suddenly fell in my court. It was always daunting, but I came to realise that the experience forward entirely depended on my mindset. And above all, I had to be best friends with ‘me’ without the need for my peers to help me render a better experience.
4. Make every moment count
With our nomadic lifestyle, spending time with those who mattered became our driving force. As the next move approached, we cherished those moments even more. When it was time to hit the road again, we left with gratitude and the hope of meeting again someday.
5. Adapting to new surroundings with ease
Now, as an adult with two kids of my own, I can confidently say that my experiences of moving from school to school have prepared me well for life. Adjusting to new environments is no longer a daunting task like it once was. And I hope to pass on the tricks of the trade to my kids without them having to face the challenges of being uprooted.
Have your kids changed schools? We would love to hear what their experience was like. Drop us a DM.