Is a posting a good idea for your family or your couple?
A posting abroad for your spouse means big changes ahead for your family. It can be a fantastic opportunity for travel, adventure, and cultural immersion. But it’s also a huge decision with significant implications for your career, lifestyle, and family life.
How do you know if it’s the right move?
Here are some key points to consider, based on several discussions with other spouses, diplomatic family support groups chats and academic research on the topic of expatriation and organisational support.
Spousal Employment: Can you work at all?
This is a major concern for most spouses. Work permits can be tricky, and not all Canadian employers are supportive of telework.
Will your skills be transferable if you are allowed to work on the local market? Many spouses find that their professional experience doesn’t count for much abroad. Several spouses decide to pivot their career or put it on hold while they develop new skills.
Are you prepared to reinvent yourself?
Postings can be a chance to try something new, like freelancing, teaching or a completely new remote career. A study in Malaysia highlighted how international relocations often require spouses to redefine their professional and personal identities. This adjustment can be particularly challenging for those whose careers are central to their sense of self .
Family Life: How will the posting affect your children’s education?
International schools often offer a very rich multicultural experience, but can also come with high expectations of community involvement from parents or “non-working spouses”.
In some cases, it could be hard to get support for children with learning challenges as some international private schools are selective. Reaching for community tips or experiences is a good starting point.
Will your family have enough support?
Community Coordinators used to be a big help, but they’re not available anymore. Being proactive and building connections with other families can help you plan ahead and get settled when you arrive. Several missions have a buddy system, if it isn’t the case, don’t hesitate to ask for contacts of other Canadians already there.
Are you prepared for the emotional challenges?
Being away from family and friends can be tough. Are you comfortable with the possibility of limited social opportunities, until your circle gets bigger? It can require a bit more effort as you start from scratch.
Research on expatriate spouses in the UAE emphasized the importance of organizational support in helping families adjust to new environments . However, many families report feeling isolated due to reduced formal support structures or limited local networks .
Are you and your family adventurous and adaptable?
This is one of the most important skills to develop. Things don’t always go as planned abroad, and it is a blessing to enable you to live unexpected adventures, but it can become irritating over time. Successful adaptation depends on the family’s ability to embrace cultural differences and navigate unexpected challenges. Studies emphasize the importance of cultural intelligence and flexibility in achieving a smoother transition .
Are you prepared for a different standard of living? It goes both ways, in some aspects, it can be an upgrade from what we are used to at home. In other cases what we consider as “normal or standard” can be very difficult to find.
You can find a lot of information by yourself!
Mission reports (found on the employees Intranet) can be outdated or lack important information. Everyone has different priorities. So it is difficult to cover all the aspects of living abroad. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Talk to other spouses and reach out to be added to the WhatsApp or Facebook group already in place at most missions.
Be prepared for communication challenges. Getting clear information and support can be difficult as there is often very limited direct communication with spouses.
It’s a lifestyle choice!
A posting can be rewarding, but it’s not always easy. Think about your long-term goals. How will the posting affect your career and your family’s future?
Talk to your spouse openly and honestly. Make sure you’re both on the same page.
Ultimately, the decision to follow on an overseas posting is complex and deeply personal, involving considerations about career, family, lifestyle, and emotional well-being. There’s no right or wrong answer. By carefully considering these points and being realistic about the challenges, you can make an informed choice!
- 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. - 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. - 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?