As any expatriate child or adult will tell you, transition is part of life in the international community. Yet no matter how many times we move, somehow it is never easy to leave people and places we have grown to love. Here at NIST, we are always sad to see families leave our community and want to do all we can to make the transition a little bit easier from our side.
As part of the leaving process your child will be involved in formal and informal transition events which will support leaving students in celebrating their time at NIST and processing their move as they prepare for their next adventure. Support for a smooth transition away from NIST is always available and we encourage families to contact any NIST counselors or other school staff who can help you in this process.
As with all departures there are formalities which need to be completed to ease the transition from one school to another. Below are the forms which NIST requires you to complete in order to process report cards, letters of attendance etc., as well as finalize any financial matters relating to school fees.
Transition Resources
We understand that transition, especially international moves, can be very stressful experiences. The NIST counseling team has provided a number of virtual sessions to help support you in your move as you navigate these challenging times ahead.
Understanding the Stages of Transition
In this session Denise Granai, middle school counselor, provides an overview of the five stages of transitions and possible patterns that might come up during each one. Having this general awareness can help with acceptance and compassion towards your own family and those around you.
Supporting a Healthy Transition
Elementary counselors Julia Sheridan and Niamh Dickson discuss some tips and tricks that you can use to help your child during times of transition. We’ll also discuss some common areas of concern and transition issues to be mindful of.
Transitions: Supporting Third Culture Kids
This session from high school counselor Justin West explores the transition process through the lens of supporting our third culture kids. We define what a TCK is, and consider strengths and challenges particular to being a TCK. Additionally, we explore some challenges such as culture shock and reverse culture shock in either the transition to another country or returning home.
Transition & Roots
Dianne Andreassen, elementary school counselor, talks us through how to maintain a sense of our roots and routines, even through the transition process. In order to prepare to move forward, encourage the whole family to be part of decision-making and communicate together.
Mid-Year Withdrawal
In some cases families must unfortunately leave prior to the end of the school year due to work relocation or other unforeseen circumstances. This may be a sensitive situation for children, and we fully support families by keeping the possibility of a move fully confidential. To assist in this process, you can review our mid-year withdrawal procedure.
Repatriation Resources
Returning to your home country or moving elsewhere can often be difficult for children, particularly as they transition into a new school. Below are several sites that provide helpful tips for helping them through this process. Additionally, our counsellors are available to help families prepare for their departure from our community.
Your Expat Child
In addition to its excellent content regarding expat life in general, this site provides several articles related to repatriation.
Repatriation Checklist
Ensuring that you are fully prepared for the transition will allow you to focus on your child’s needs. This helpful checklist highlights key tasks to complete before departing Thailand.
