EKC Roundtable: Helping Expat Kids Navigate Academic Changes After a Move
Moving to a new country is both exciting and challenging for expat kids. One of the toughest hurdles? Adapting to a completely new school system. Their once familiar routines, friends, and academic expectations are suddenly replaced by an environment that feels foreign and overwhelming. The transition period can be rough.
The challenges range from experiencing a new language of instruction, to different teaching methods, or unfamiliar cultural practices. The process of settling into a new school can be daunting at the best of times. Factoring in an international move adds another layer. Even seemingly small differences, like the way math problems are written or how words are spelled, can make kids feel like they’re falling behind.
For parents, being aware of these challenges is important because kids may not always share with their parents about how hard it can be. They may not have the words to articulate what they’re going through. Be on the lookout for shifts in their academic performance or self-confidence - these behavior changes could signal that your child is struggling to adjust.
At EKC, we find that these especially complex challenges are best discussed as a group, where our team of psychologists can bring unique perspectives to the task. Our latest EKC Roundtable tackled this topic and together we thought about some practical steps for families looking to help children thrive after a move.
New Classroom, New Challenges
When children move from one school system to another, the challenges they face often extend far beyond simply learning new academic subjects. The entire framework of how education is delivered may differ.
Cultural differences in how core subjects are taught can make a child feel disoriented and unsure of their abilities. An easy example is that of decimal separators. Some countries use commas instead of decimal points in mathematical notation. A child who has always seen 3.5 written as 3,5 might find themselves stumbling over problems they previously had no trouble solving.
These differences might seem minor to adults, but for children, they can create a real sense of insecurity. When faced with a new language or unfamiliar ways of learning, a child might begin to doubt their abilities. It's easy for both children and parents to feel concerned when grades start slipping or when tasks that were once simple become a struggle. However, these challenges are often part of a normal adjustment period.
Give your child a little extra patience during this time. Try not to jump to conclusions if they seem to be struggling academically during the transition. Adjusting to a new school system takes time. Early academic difficulties often have more to do with adapting to new expectations than with a child’s inherent ability.
Does My Child Suddenly Have a Learning Disability?
Rushing to diagnose learning disabilities can sometimes create more stress and anxiety for the child. This is especially true when they are already working through the emotional and social pressures of adjusting to a new country and school. Premature assessments or labeling can add unnecessary pressure. In some cases, it may even misrepresent the true nature of the child’s challenges.
Psychologist Kate Berger recommends talking with the school about what it means to have third-culture kids (TCKs) in their student population. This accomplishes a couple of things in one swoop. You open a line of communication, you discuss your child’s support needs, and you advocate for your child and their academic history. This could help the school better understand the need for grace and time during the transition period.
Allowing your child to settle into their new environment and giving them space to acclimate to new ways of learning can make a huge difference. Patience, reassurance, and open communication about the difficulties they’re facing can help them feel supported rather than overwhelmed. What might initially appear as academic struggles could simply be the result of navigating unfamiliar territory. With time, children often find their way and regain their confidence in the classroom.
Easing the Transition: Patience and Understanding
The pressure to "keep up" in a new school can weigh heavily on expat kids, especially if they feel they’re falling behind. This is another place where parental patience becomes key. Adjust your expectations. Not rushing to place academic pressure on children as they find their footing in a new environment can make all the difference.
Clinical Supervisor Jamie Rhiannon Fehribach moved to the Netherlands as a child. Her experience is a perfect example of how a little time and patience is key. When she moved, she didn’t speak Dutch and was placed in a grade lower than her age group. After just a month of full language immersion, she caught up and moved to the correct grade.
Kids often need time to adjust before they can truly shine in their new academic environment. They’ll grow into their new school and find their footing again.
Addressing Emotional and Social Concerns
Adapting to a new school system doesn’t just impact academic performance—it can also affect a child's confidence. This is especially true if they’re placed in a lower grade and their classmates are younger. The emotional strain can affect both their academic performance and sense of belonging.
Psychologist Inka Homanen suggests explaining to your children that being placed in a different grade doesn’t mean they’re less intelligent or less capable. You can help by reminding them that being in a different grade isn’t a reflection of their abilities. It’s a temporary step to help them adjust.
Focus on your child’s emotional well-being during this time. Your understanding is important when it comes to preventing issues like bullying or feelings of isolation due to perceived "underperformance."
Open communication is crucial. So is monitoring for signs of emotional distress, such as reluctance to attend school or changes in behavior. Encouraging activities where children can succeed outside of academics, like sports or hobbies, can boost their self-esteem and reinforce their strengths.
It’s also possible that your child will experience the opposite! Kids used to a higher, more competitive academic standard might have a boost of confidence. They’ll feel more capable and have an “easier” time with assignments. It’s important to remember that this is still a transition and their emotional experience could still have ups and downs. They need support and patience too.
The key message for children is that their grade level or “performance” doesn’t define their abilities. With patience and support, they can regain confidence and see this adjustment as part of their overall growth.
Learning How to Learn
Inka also suggests focusing on a variety of “meta-skills.” This process of “learning how to learn” can help kids through a tough transition phase. Finding study methods that work regardless of culture or subject sets kids up for global academic success.
Try study methods such as making flashcards, creating mind maps, or even using visual, auditory, or kinesthetic approaches. These can all be useful tools for your kids as they navigate new material. There’s a reason they’re tried and true!
Encouraging your child to embrace mistakes as learning opportunities rather than as failures can also help them grow academically and emotionally. This helps reframe academic "failure" as something positive and productive, rather than demoralizing.
The Role of Schools in Supporting Expat Kids
Psychologist Karen Schneider reminds parents that schools could play an active role in easing the transition by offering a new student onboarding program specifically for TKCs. Just as many workplaces have onboarding processes for new employees, schools could benefit from offering an introduction to expat children.
The school can explain how their school system works, and help children adjust to the new learning environment. It’s also a good time to introduce resources and staff members your child will encounter, such as teachers, counselors, and coaches.
Flexibility in grade placement is another valuable consideration. If a child starts in a lower grade, it would be helpful if the school were open to moving them up once they’ve caught up, as Jamie experienced. On the other hand, if a child is overwhelmed, having the flexibility to move down a grade might help prevent burnout.
Considering Extra Support
In some cases, it might be helpful to check out alternative education options, such as tutoring or extracurricular support. This doesn’t have to be a long-term solution, but it can give children the boost they need to get on track without the fear of falling behind. A one-on-one environment is often a place where a child feels more comfortable asking questions without embarrassment.
Tutoring offers personalized attention, helping children catch up on missed concepts and overcome curriculum or language challenges at their own pace. Extracurricular programs, such as homework clubs, provide additional support in a more relaxed setting. They also offer opportunities for social connection with other kids facing similar challenges.
For parents, exploring these options early on can prevent further frustration. Finding a good tutor can help your child avoid the emotional toll of feeling like they’re constantly playing catch-up. With the right support in place, they can focus on learning and growing, making their adjustment to the new school smoother and more successful
Extra help isn’t just academic—it’s also about external emotional support. Having a therapist or team by your side helps a child understand and work through their emotions and daily challenges. Dedicated therapists can also help parents find new ways to support their kids and bring their families closer together during a transition.
Navigating a Change? EKC is Here to Help.
Expat Kids Club isn’t just for people who live abroad – it’s for anyone who identifies as a current or former expat and needs support, anywhere in the world. We also offer video consults and appointments so our clients can build a stable, trusting relationship with their therapist, no matter where life takes them.
We specialize in helping people navigate new experiences and situations from the universal to the unique. Our mission is to help kids, teens, and families build resiliency, discover their identities and values, and form healthy coping strategies to manage the tough moments.
EKC recognizes the importance of treating the family as a unit, bringing everyone together. We work with an individual approach and a systemic mindset to determine the best through any challenge.
Schedule a call today to speak with one of our therapists and see how we can help your family thrive.