Expat Family Life Archives - Family Move Abroad

Considering an overseas move with children? Grab a copy of Expat Education: An Expat’s Guide to Choosing a School Overseas by Carole Hallett Mobbs. Wherever you're at on your expat journey, this book will help you understand the many education related concerns of moving your child to a foreign country. Expat Education -- The Kinds… Continue reading Expat Education: An Expat’s Guide to Choosing a School Overseas

Expat Family Life, Expat Tips

Our 10 Biggest Mistakes Moving Our Family to Spain — And What We’d Do Differently Next Time

April 29, 2019January 14, 2020 familyabroad

I’d never moved kids to Spain before. Or any other country. I thought I’d researched everything. Much went wrong. Here's our 10 biggest mistakes we made moving our family to Spain, and what we'd do differently next time. Mistake number 1: We didn’t come straight to Seville, the setting for our year in Spain. Everyone… Continue reading Our 10 Biggest Mistakes Moving Our Family to Spain — And What We’d Do Differently Next Time

Culture Shock, Expat Family Life, Expat Tips

Your Child’s Move Abroad: 5 Factors Affecting How They Cope

April 25, 2019January 14, 2020 familyabroad

Just as with adults, children moving abroad experience a sense of loss and period of adjustment. Loosely termed culture shock, each child or teen’s adaptation process will be unique to them. Understanding the variables that play a role in your child's transition after moving abroad can help you set your family up for success.

Expat Education, Expat Family Life

First Day of School in Spain – A Family Expat Story

March 26, 2019February 3, 2020 familyabroad

I thought dropping off my kids for their first day of kindergarten was scary. It was nothing compared to parenting them through their first day as American expats going to school in Spain. The curriculum at the Colegio San Francisco de Paula in Seville is completely bilingual. Half the core classes are taught in English,… Continue reading First Day of School in Spain – A Family Expat Story

Expat Family Life

Why Move Abroad — Our Family Expat Story

March 4, 2019March 11, 2019 familyabroad

Hi, I’m Jackie Baxa. Welcome to Family Move Abroad -- Inspiration and Information to Move Your Family to a Foreign Country. My husband, Dave, and I had always dreamed of living in a foreign country with our children while they were still children. In August 2016, our sons then ages 9 and 13, we stepped… Continue reading Why Move Abroad — Our Family Expat Story

Contacting Jackie about applying for our Spanish visas was the best decision.

We have had an unpredictable and frustrating experience on every level while trying to legally move to Sevilla. Jackie was incredibly professional and helpful. She gave us clear directions, helpful introductions and guidance throughout the VISA application process. Additionally, each year when I renew my VISA, I renew my gratitude for Jackie and her organizational skills; she has helped us realize and maintain our dream of living in Spain. The Kramm Family, Florida

We would have been lost without Jackie’s guidance.

There are so many aspects to moving one's family abroad that it can be overwhelming just to think about. The various steps, forms, copies, notaries, etc. as one works through two countries' bureaucracies is a road besot by potholes, u-turns & dead-ends. Jackie was able to organize everything into concise buckets for us so that we were able to visualize the tasks we had to do, make it have logical sense, and gave us the confidence that we could do it. The end result was that we were totally prepared without feeling like it was a ton of work. We didn't have one hang-up. Jackie pays strict attention to detail so that there is nothing that one could encounter during the process that would trip up or delay it and she is very energetic and driven which keeps one on task and gives confidence that they can and will make this adventure happen. The Wells Family, North Carolina

I was grateful to have been connected with Jackie.

My daughter is studying abroad and is attending the same school as Jackie's son. I corresponded with Jackie and she provided me with valuable insights about the school. When my daughter and I arrived in Spain, Jackie and I agreed to meet at the Open House at my daughter's new school, and Jackie introduced me to a number of expat parents and their children, many of whom are now my daughter's closest friends at school. Jackie helped me make connections that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to find, and having those made it easier for me to help my daughter navigate her cultural transition. Meriwynn, North Carolina

Dig into the details and you’ll soon see why someone like Jackie is invaluable.

If you’re on Jackie’s site, chances are you're feeling like I did during the process of applying for a Spanish visa and foreigner ID card: confused and looking for answers related to the mountain of required paperwork. On the surface, this process seems easy. Dig into the details and you’ll soon see why someone like Jackie is invaluable. Jackie can help you sort out the various pieces of this puzzle and avoid the many rabbit holes that result in a lot of wasted time. These days, I’m living in Spain. This new lifestyle is due in part to Jackie and friends who shared their knowledge along the way. Kim, Jackson WY