Expat Women - Helping Expatriate Women Living Overseas - Expat Relocation Abroad

So imagine a huge convergence of people who represent families who are in, or understand, global transition. One cannot measure the level of energy or the buzz of excitement that filled the air of the conference center as old friends reunited and new friendships were made. As per its reputation, FIGT really was a "family reunion" of like-minded people who understand the challenges, frustrations and joys of international living – who have come together to lend experience, insights, support and inspiration to all who wish to drink from the well.

This conference is unique in that everyone, whether first time or old-timer, is embraced and made to feel welcome.

To ensure that young people with new energy and enthusiasm can attend, many conference attendees were there on scholarship. Nineteen academically-registered students in good standing and employees or volunteers with a non-profit organization were able to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the FIGT David C. Pollock Scholarship.

One such participant was Kira Mira Febregat, the daughter of an Argentinian diplomat who arrived with her two, 23 kilogram suitcases filled with all her worldly possessions. Kira made the stop in Houston on her way to attend law school in Toronto. She met Tina Quick, the presenter of a pre-conference workshop and FIGT board member, in the airport transfer van on the way in from the airport the night before the session. But her story and situation was so perfect for the presentation that everyone thought Tina had found and recruited her. Kira just glowed with excitement during the entire conference and inspired others with her enthusiasm for being with other like-minded global nomads, despite the difference in age with most of the others there.

Alaine Handa, another of the younger participants at FIGT, attended on a generous Barbara F. Copeland Scholarship. Alaine enthusiastically endorsed FIGT, "I loved being in a conference where everyone understood what a TCK (Third Culture Kid) or CCK (Cross Cultural Kid) was and I didn't have to explain who, what and where I am from. Speaking with many like-minded individuals about bringing TCK awareness and cross cultural education has lit a fire beneath me." She had everyone talking about her sessions at FIGT using film, dance, photography and jewelry prop design that were all made by TCKs. "At the FIGT 2010 conference, I found my life calling of using the arts for education, awareness and performance to reach out to our community."

Other young participants who impressed their audiences were Darci Nealeigh and Candy Hart, students at Oklahoma Christian University, who inspired others with their leadership and ideas for forming a TCK support group on campus. They gave concrete ideas on how they did it and the importance of providing a home away from home for students far from their families. Their experiences dovetailed and were a part of Tina Quick's pre-conference workshop on "TCKs Repatriating for University: Confronting the Challenges and Building Communities". (Watch for her new book, The Global Nomad's Guide to University Transition coming out later this spring.)

Representing mid-life transitions, Diane Endo, also new to FIGT, led a fascinating workshop on helping with the "next chapter" for accompanying spouses and partners. The women who participated, all veteran expats, offered lively conversation and perspectives on how they were navigating changing families, roles and possible repatriation at the "mid-way" point in life.

Two "trailblazers", Jo Parfitt and Robin Pascoe, were recognized this year for their immeasurable contributions to expatriates through their many books and lectures about the joys, struggles and humor in expat living. When asked who in the room had been touched by either Jo or Robin, most of the room stood up – and of course, everyone cheered. But lest you think that the tribute to them was the usual glowing commentary one gets at an award ceremony, this one was unique, as they each paid tribute to the other – so their tributes involved a lot of great humor and amusing stories as well.

Yet another legend in the field of Third Culture Kids, Ruth Van Reken, presented on this topic and enlisted the help of the workshop attendees to brainstorm ideas on how we can help school educators to understand the Third Culture Kid experience. To emphasize the importance of this kind of understanding, she also demonstrated models of Cross Cultural Kids that take into account students who have had a huge array of multi-cultural experiences that go beyond the traditional TCK model. Ruth was also on hand to sign the newest edition of the book she co-wrote with the late David C. Pollock, Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds.

In addition to many other fascinating presentations and panel discussions on Third Culture Kids and schooling issues, other outstanding presenters raised awareness about multiculturalism, identity, belonging, adjusting to new assignments, cultural adaptation and the new impact of social networking on international relocations.

The corporate side was also represented by those who offered ideas on ways of helping employees and families with global relocations. With an awareness of the changing landscape of spousal expectations, conference delegates heard about spousal employment challenges, trends and programs in global mobility, and tools for powerful leadership.

Many "aha" moments were described on the FIGT LinkedIn discussion.

Perhaps the most profound theme of the FIGT conference was the realization that those of us who live in the international arena are different from our peers at home in many positive ways. We live far from our biological families, but we form a new family with those we meet on the journey. We immediately find common ground, know how to quickly form friendships and extend a welcoming hand to others because we know – and understand – what it is like to be in a place where others may not know us, but are open and willing to find out who we are and what our stories are.

As the author Edna Buchanan once said, "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves." And so it is within Families in Global Transition – a place of many new friendships – and year after year, many new family members.


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