Guides and resources
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Security clearance made simple!
Family members accompanying Canada-Based Staff (CBS) can easily apply for their security clearance to work at mission.
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Employment guide for Canadian diplomatic spouses abroad
Whether you’re a teacher, consultant, nurse, software developer, the question is the same: how do I keep working?
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Arriving at post: what to ask, and who to ask
Discover essential questions and resources for a smooth transition, tailored for Canada-based families.
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Choosing a school abroad
Lycée, British or American? Members share what they have learned about choosing the right school.
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What I wish I’d known: Wisdom from partners
Four founding CDFN members share the hard-won lessons they wish someone had told them before their first posting.
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Need help with your FSD claims? Try this!
Create your FSD-GPT AI assistant in 2 minutes to quickly search and summarize the complex government directives.
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Getting your telework approved (hopefully)
Best practices to navigate and prepare your telework arrangement.
Voices of the Community
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Embracing uncertainty: the serendipity of diplomatic life
Explore how tolerance for uncertainty can transform your diplomatic experience.
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An unexpected currency
We sometimes live in places where a little effort can go a long way. Across posts, canadians are finding their own ways to contribute locally.
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Expat expectations
Reflexion on the challenges and identity shifts faced as a diplomatic spouse.
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Did you go outside today?
“Isolation” is a real problem according to research about diplomatic families. Here are a few tips to escape this trap.
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Driving abroad: Tips, tricks and risks
Driving abroad involves risks, cultural adaptation, and knowledge of local rules.
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Breaking the non-person shell
Diplomat spouses often face isolation and joblessness abroad, sacrificing careers and independence. Lack of support, language barriers, and limited opportunities confine them to a “non-person” role, far from their ambitions…
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When home stops understanding you
After years abroad, you return with stories worth telling, only to find that home listens kindly, but not closely.
Books and Podcasts
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What if ‘Where are you from?’ had no easy answer?
Carissa Gobble’s book explores Third Culture Kids.
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Behind the curtain: Spouses of the World
A great book that shares candid experiences of diplomatic spouses
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Globe-Trotter Academy Podcast
Each episode dives into groundbreaking studies that uncover the hidden dynamics of living and working across cultures.
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CDFN book of the month: Living Abroad
A comprehensive, empathetic guide to the psychological and relational realities of expatriate life.
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CDFN book of the month: Diplomatic Baggage
Living abroad as part of Canada’s diplomatic community is a unique journey – one filled with incredible opportunities, cross-cultural adventures, and the privilege of representing our country. But as members…
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The Preparation, Training and Support Requirements of Expatriate Trailing Spouses
Webber, E-L., & Vögel, A.J. (2019). The preparation, training and support requirements of expatriate trailing spouses. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 22(1), a2703.
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Lean on Me: The Importance of Intercultural Personality
Expatriate couples’ personality traits impact successful adjustment abroad.
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Know a Canadian diplomatic family who could benefit from these resources? Help us spread the word.