Steph had been wanting to go overseas somewhere for a long time, Kathryn says. I, on the other hand, had been to Canada. I am actually amazed at how easy it was, compared to what I thought it would be. From what I ve seen of Americans here who are or aren t successfully acclimated, attitude is the No. 1 thing. You need to want to be here.
Relocation is a fact of life for many employees in both the public and private sectors.
Each year, thousands of Americans pull up their roots and cross land, sea and air to replant themselves in foreign soil. The State Department, which keeps a running tally of every man, woman and child registered with foreign embassies for purposes of crisis management, estimates that millions of U.S. citizens live abroad, although all are not registered. But overseas assignments, even when welcome, disrupt lives, interrupting children s educational and social webs, suspending friendships and, in the case of the accompanying spouse, sacrificing satisfying careers. Although most employers now go to great lengths to ensure successful transitions, families ultimately are responsible for their own happiness. It s a complex situation, this relocation, she says.