Plenary Sessions
Pre-Con Workshops
Concurrent Sessions
Cracker Barrels
Research Projects

Plenary Sessions

Opening Keynote: Moving is an Eraser: the Challenge of Rewriting Your Life Story
Doug Ota
During the process of relocation, many children and adults describe a sense that their identity has been "erased," that they need to "start all over", and even that they have to "completely reinvent" themselves. One way of conceptualizing this challenge to identity is by using a growing body of ideas from narrative psychology: human beings are story tellers who are looking for the theme and logic in the unfolding of any situation. A relocation can pose a major challenge to a person's "self-narrative," while simultaneously erasing the "audience" for that narrative.

Faced with such a break in the story, the challenge is to pick up the pen and start living and writing one's narrative anew, weaving the parts into something that makes sense.

Closing Keynote: Even if it's Just for the Day
Anika Smit
My mom always says "Tomorrow is another day" when the going gets tough, and believe me when I say the going gets tough quite often in the lives in which we find ourselves. Nevertheless, the experiences I have faced have been more rewarding than anyone could ever have imagined. I am thankful everyday for my crazy life. Through sharing my stories with others, I hope to give insight into what life is like for the kids moving around from country to country. We are an extremely privileged group to have the knowledge we have of the world. Yet unfortunately there are disadvantages to the lifestyle too. I have learnt that even if you and your family are just okay, if you take one day at a time everything turns out fine in the end. With my book, I really opened the doors to my own family life. The response has been overwhelming. Most of the feedback has been from people recognizing their own lives and experiences in ours, and about which I never run out of things to say.

Open Space is a lively, networking, brainstorming event designed to get people talking about the issues that brought them to FIGT in the first place. Bring your questions and dreams – from the practical to the abstract, the personal to the professional – and discuss them with you're your new and old FIGT colleagues. FIGT President Sandy Thomas will lead this event for us.

Panel: Cross Cultural Kids: The 21st Century TCK
Panel Members: Smitha Day, Doug Ota and Foojan Zeine
Moderator: Ruth Van Reken
Join a panel discussion moderated by Ruth Van Reken, FIGT co-founder.  Ruth will give a description on how the term Cross Cultural Kid (CCK) came about and, with the help of a panel of adult CCKs, show not only what they share in common but also what is specific to their particular type of cross cultural experience.

Transitions: Tragedies and Triumphs
Panel Members: Diane Endo, David Snyder, Dr. Suzy Snyder, & Karen Powell
Moderator: Cindy Smith
Cindy Smith will facilitate a conversation among several panel members who will share their stories of challenge and triumph. There will be a time for questions and interaction.

Pre-Conference Workshops

A - Starting to Tell Your Story
Jo Parfitt
Do you have a story to tell? Do you too dream of writing about your experiences in your journal, blog, or newsletter, or even a full memoir or book? The global nomad experience is a rich source of inspiration. This fun, practical and interactive workshop will teach you how to transfer it to the page. Face the blocks that cause this procrastination head on, at last, and find out how to beat them. Then move on to kick-start your writing process, find your stories, your voice and your confidence. Be inspired by the work of others and take away tips and tools to help you continue your writing long after FIGT.

B - The Path to Choice – Finding Perspective in Global Transition
Terry Kinnard
Kellie Poulin
In "The Path to Choice – Finding Perspective in Global Transition" workshop, Terry Kinnard and Kellie Poulin address the challenging issues of TCKs' nomadic lifestyles through the lens of a process called Voice Dialogue. This technique gives voice to the many parts or Selves within us that are born at various stages of our developmental process. It offers TCKs an opportunity  to explore, understand and gain choice over the behaviors and hidden beliefs of such Selves as Restless, Special, Chameleon, and Loner that cause problems and pain in relationships, careers, parenting as well as the shifting sands of constant mobility and change. This workshop assists TCKs to:

• develop practical tools to support effective inner and interpersonal communication
• discover the power to choose actions rather than react to old behavior patterns
• recognize that globally experienced parts are an asset
• reclaim the parts that were lost along life's journey and see how they can support you now

C - Beyond Tolerance: Developing Competence for our Intercultural Future
Janet Bennett
In today's complicated communities, we can view cultural difference either as a frustrating obstacle or as an opportunity to leverage a distinct advantage.  Those who view culture as a barrier may become preoccupied with what NOT to do in order to avoid problems.  Those who recognize the potential resources that cultural differences bring focus on what TO do to enhance interpersonal effectiveness.

Individuals respond to cultural differences in identifiable stages.  Those who see culture as a barrier tend to deny, resist, or minimize differences.  Those who see culture as a resource, tend to accept and appreciate differences.  In order to build cultural competency, we need to understand these stages and our own cultural place in the world.

D - Supporting Expatriate Families on a Shoestring Budget
Tina Quick
Michèle Lewis O'Donnell
Many organizations acknowledge that they could do a better job of supporting their families living overseas but feel they just don't have the budget to do so. This session will help HR managers, employees and families understand why it is so important to give extra attention to expatriate concerns BEFORE they become problems. During this very interactive session participants will: (1) look at what families experience during each of the five stages of the transition cycle, (2) identify what kind of support would be useful to families at each stage, and (3) develop low cost strategies for meeting these needs.

E - Researchers' Forum
Becky Powell
Ann Baker Cottrell
A core group of researchers will describe and discuss their recent research studies, focusing on common themes and novel findings. Together the workshop participants will identify findings with the most urgent applicability to the field of families in global transition, in preparation for sharing them during the conference. Research studies to be discussed include:

• Expatriate Accompanying Partners: The Males Speak (Nina Cole)
• Voices from Home: What Spouses Have to Say About Unaccompanied Short Term Assignments (Anne Copeland)
• Addressing Mental Health Concerns of Foreign Students (Smitha Day)
• Instrument to Assess Children's Pre-Departure Readiness Needs (Carley Dodd and Dana Hooker)
• The implications of cultural homelessness, self-esteem and a cross-cultural childhood (Raquel Hoersting)
• Adult Military Children: Predictors of Relationship Attachments (Codi Schale)
• Cross Culture Transitions: Measurable and Healthy Transition Processes (Rachel Timmons)
• Family factors associated with TCK adjustment in adulthood (Jennifer Wilson)

In addition, participants will have the opportunity to work together during the workshop to begin analysis on a data set of 656 expatriates around the world, gathered by Robin Pascoe and generously offered to this forum. Results from this in-real-time data analysis project will be shared, hot off the press, with the FIGT conference. Researchers and research consumers are all welcome!

Concurrent Sessions

Rejoicing or Struggling as an EXPAT Empty Nester? (1A)
Marta Kapusta
Pat Sumer
Finally, your dream comes true: an international relocation in Europe without the children. What an adventure! What a blessing! A second honeymoon! Time for yourself! All your friends think you are the luckiest woman in the world... So what went wrong?

This session will focus on "What nobody told you about the promises and pitfalls of having children in different time zones." Many of us are experienced in surviving and thriving through international transitions with our children, but how do you survive an international relocation without the kids? Relocating + empty nest can be more than double the trouble. This presentation will examine the challenges and opportunities facing global nomads who must relocate an "empty nest."

Addressing Mental Health Concerns of Foreign Students (1B)
Smitha Day
Typical western counseling services are not adequate to meet the needs of international students studying on US college campuses. This presentation hopes to lend insight to the clinical mental health needs of this population and give suggestions for further studies. The population to be discussed in this presentation was students from a wide range of US college campuses. The methodology used to study one particular college population was face-to-face interviews and a survey questionnaire.  The research questions explored:

• What are the mental health needs of foreign students?
• How do foreign students perceive these mental health needs?
• What are the issues that counselors need to know to be better equipped to serve this population?

From Surviving to Thriving - How to Live your Best Life Abroad (1C)
Jeanne Heinzer
Heike Stengel
Internationally mobile people often feel powerless and have a strong sense that they are losing control over their destinies How can they turn their personal challenges into opportunities?

Individuals who are not being fully committed to a life abroad or who put their lives on hold for the duration of the assignment may find themselves and their families unhappy. Not only does no one benefit, but even the sponsoring organization may suffer. Such behavior can also result in "permanently moaning" mobile employees who make life hard for HR professionals. Human Resources as well as the sponsoring organization needs a powerful "team approach" and assignees who have a vision both as individuals and as a family.
 
The session will provide attendees with a tool, the "Art of Living Abroad Wheel," that is being used by numerous coaches. As a portable tool,  this "Wheel of Life" enables the audience or the people they work with to look at their whole life and develop a new vision and focus while being fully committed to their assignment.

Expatriate Accompanying Partners: The Males Speak (1D)
Nina Cole
This session will provide the results of the largest academic research study ever conducted on male expatriate spouses. This group of pioneering 21st century men provided surprising information about the effects of career interruption and the value of employer spousal assistance. Male spouses have the same need as career-oriented females for employment assistance, but unique needs for their own support groups and activities.

black and (A)broad (1E)
Carolyn van Es-Vines
The goal of this session is to draw attention to black individuals and families living abroad.  It also intends to open the door for further research on this under-studied group, the result being that sectors will have more concrete information (i.e. statistics and case studies) for black people considering or already living abroad. I will draw chiefly from my 20 years' experience living and traveling abroad but will borrow stories from the lives of other famous and/or historical blacks who also had transitional life experiences, including Jamaica Kincaid, Nina Simone, and Josephine Baker.

Moving The Faith: Spiritual Development and Discernment in the TCK Experience (2A)
Abigail S. Visco
What challenges does mobility pose to the spirituality of TCKs?  How is the faith formation of adolescents affected by the TCK experience?  How can families, ministries and organizations become informed about/ involved in the spiritual formation of TCKs in their lives?   Based on qualitative interviews with TCKs and those who are working in international ministry with TCKs, this session explores the challenges that mobility presents to the spiritual development of cross-cultural youth.  Through the lens of Christian spirituality, we will address the challenges of faith formation in the midst of identity building and compounded grief. This session also provides information and resources on international ministries and ministry networks that foster spiritual growth and development.  Despite an emphasis on Christian spirituality, perspective, ideas and dialogue between any/ all faith traditions is welcomed and encouraged.

Making Expat Websites Work For You (2B)
Andrea Martins
Have you ever wondered what expat websites are out there, who the major players are and how best to take advantage of this online genre to help your business, your company's expatriate families and/or to help you personally? Making Expat Websites Work For You will share insider knowledge from the world of expat websites and help every participant learn how best to leverage expat websites for their own personal gain. 

The session will be divided into four main parts:

1. Interactive participant segment;
2. General presentation about expat websites;
3. Practical Solutions: Top 5 Ways to make Expat Websites work for You;
4. Practical Solutions: Top 5 Ways to make Social Media work for You.

This session will be fun, interactive and full of useful tips, insights and advice.  There will be ample time for participants to ask questions.

The Boarding School Conundrum (2C)
Mary Rabbitt
Aaron L. Schmidtberger
Brian Proctor
Apple Gidley
Schooling is an emotive issue for all global nomads and their TCKs.  This session will discuss the benefits that a stable environment, without the dislocation of multiple moves, can provide a teen going through some of his/her most turbulent and important developmental years.  It will help determine if your child is a good candidate for the boarding school experience. A panel discussion will help prospective boarding school parents and their children understand the policies and practices used to ensure the experience will be positive.  It will also address the role that international boarding programs should and do anticipate and address, particularly with respect to the non-academic and pastoral care of the students.  It will also discuss peer and familial relationships. Research will be presented gathered from forums such as the IECA Conference in November 2008.  The panel will also include some discussion of the use of therapeutic boarding programs for international students.

Writer Without a Reader: How Moving Erases Audiences, and Thoughts on Recreating Them (2D)
Douglas Ota
Pick up your pen and explore the concepts and issues addressed in Dr. Ota's keynote presentation. Human beings are story tellers who are looking for the theme and logic in the unfolding of any situation. A relocation can pose a major challenge to a person's "self-narrative," while simultaneously erasing the "audience" for that narrative. This interactive workshop will be full of opportunities and practical steps to "pick up the pen" and reflect on the "writing of one's story" – and how it is read.

TCKs and Tolerance: What TCKs Can Teach Us About Race and Diversity (2E)
Paulette M. Bethel
Donna Musil
In "TCKs and Tolerance," Paulette Bethel and Donna Musil will explore the untapped subject of race and the TCK.  Twenty years before the Civil Rights movement in America, black and white children were dancing together at the "teen club" on military bases around the world.  Children from foreign service families were being exposed to Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu cultures.  How did it affect them?  What can we learn from their experiences?

In a world that's growing more global as we speak, TCKs are the quintessential global citizen.  They understand what it means to be an "outsider" – to be a minority in one culture and the majority in another.  What do parents, teachers, and counselors need to understand about these children?  Are their talents and skills being underutilized as adults?  What do TCKs need to understand about their own racial identities?  These are just a few of the questions we hope to address.

Maximize your language learning potential! (3A)
Laura Sicola
Do you need to learn a foreign language for an international relocation? Don't fear the task; embrace the opportunity! In this session, you'll learn how to tap into your own natural learning style and identify strategies that will enable you to stay motivated, feel successful, and maximize your own learning potential. Whether you plan to take a language class before you go or upon arrival, learn from a computer program, or just immerse yourself in the community once you get there, this presentation can serve as a springboard to help get you off to a running start in the direction of your choice. The presenter will also engage in some research-based "myth busting" about the relationship between age and language learning. You are guaranteed to leave with a new understanding of yourself, your language goals, and a strategic learning approach to help you succeed!

Supporting Accompanying Spouses on Assignment (3C)
Susan Musich
The importance of attending to accompanying spouses' needs to ensure expatriate assignment success will be reviewed – evidence is clear and strong that supporting these spouses benefits the sponsoring organization and employee as well as the family. Susan Musich will draw on her extensive experience to offer insight into how best to help spouses plan for and manage their expatriate experience.

Promoting the International Assignment Experience Through Knowledge Management (3D)
Neal Goodman
In this session participants will learn an innovative model to achieve global competency for their organizations using their experiences and expertise as international assignees to develop a Knowledge Management (KM) system.  Forward thinking organizations are employing KM to significantly improve productivity and profitability but are failing when it comes to utilizing the knowledge and expertise of their international assignees.  Participants will learn practical steps they can take to implement this model in their organizations and in their lives.

The focus will be on how to use Knowledge Management (KM) to:
1. Enhance the International Assignment Experience for all
2. Promote Cultural Intelligence within the organization
3. Enhance the visibility of those on international assignments
4. Enhance the reentry experience by applying the model
5. Share examples and leave with a plan to promote KM in their organizations

Localizing Support for Families on Expatriate Assignment (3E)
Mike Cannon
Thomas Speckhardt
The importance of creating positive community in highly mobile environments cannot be underestimated. Providing family support from a distance is often difficult.  This session provides practical examples and tools necessary to create supportive environments for expatriate youth and families while on assignment. Participants will gain insight into the need for and learn how to localize primary support networks.

Drawing on the combined experience of more than 24 years of work with youth and families in European expatriate communities, the presenters will demonstrate how the application of TCK research can be used to more effectively support youth and families.  Discussion will include aspects of global citizenship, cultural adjustment, and the coalescing of diverse expatriate community segments (corporate, diplomatic, missionary) to create a healthy environment for international families.

Moving Away & Moving Toward (4A)
Foojan Zeine
The process of immigration and acculturation is a complex process that is multivariable. The natural process of human dynamic through different stages will be explored.  For this process to be efficient and successful, we will explore many of the key factors that could affect this journey such as: the correlation between the reasons of their immigration and the preparation for their move with the pace of their acculturation; the effect of this transition on the family system, the role of women and men, the teen and the young adults; and the difficulties and the benefits of three generations coexisting together in immigrant families.

A Treasure Worth Tapping: How HR Managers Can Meet the Need (4B)
Deniz Demirors
One size doesn't fit all. All expats want to know and experience that HR cares about them. They want HR to make time for them, listen and understand their needs. They want their HR manager to work with them in a very flexible way to meet their needs. The HR manager is constrained by the company policies, the desire to be consistent and cost concerns. This workshop will demonstrate some innovative programs designed to make the assignee and the family feel consulted and supported by the sponsoring organization from HR manager's perspective. The audience will learn what they can realistically expect from the HR manager within the limitations of cost-effectiveness, company policies and the desire for consistency. The audience will also understand how some of these programs are improving expats' overall satisfaction, productivity and performance. The audience will also learn how they can collaborate with the HR manager to maximize the use of services and programs offered by the organization so they can have a positive expat experience.

Two Researchers Take a Look at TCKs (4C)
Raquel Hoersting
Jennifer Wilson
The implications of cultural homelessness, self-esteem and a cross-cultural childhood (Hoersting): Understanding cultural identity is a central issue when discussing individuals who experience cross-cultural moves. Because of changing cultural frames of reference during their developmental years, TCKs may experience difficulty consolidating a cultural identity and may be at risk for cultural homelessness (Vivero & Jenkins, 1999). The presentation will include partial results of a study that explored the interplay of cultural identity and self-concept among adults whose childhood was characterized by cross-cultural experiences. The theoretical definition of Third Culture Kids (TCKs), as given by Pollock and Van Reken (2001), will be discussed in the context of relevant results. Patterns of multicultural relationships, cultural homelessness (Vivero & Jenkins, 1999), self-esteem and trends in the TCK community will be addressed. The implications of cultural self-labeling will be discussed.

Family factors associated with TCK adjustment in adulthood (Wilson): Data were collected from an adult sample of TCKs recruited primarily through word of mouth, Facebook, snowball recruitment through e-mails, and e-mailing alumni organizations of Department of Defense Overseas Schools.  Participants ranged in age from 18 – 72; the sample was predominantly white, and married with some college education.  Analyses indicated that Adult TCKs from missionary families reported higher levels of psychological distress than individuals from military families and families living and working overseas due to other responsibilities.  Relationships between family variables and later psychological adjustment, as well as relationships between multi-cultural adjustment, family factors, and psychological distress will be examined. Practical application of support for families, organizations, and service providers will be given.

Building Intercultural Competence (4D)
Janet Bennett
While people often suspect that there is a "communication problem," they rarely know precisely how to assess what that really means. By understanding culturally related communication patterns, individuals can more readily diagnose what may have gone wrong. All professionals who function in today's workforce soon come to realize that strategies for handling misunderstandings differ greatly across cultures. Whatever task inspires the problem, the process used for resolving it frequently seems to make it even more uncomfortable. While some cultures prefer the direct, U.S. American style, others consider this offensive and counter productive. Most of us are familiar with forms of dialogue in our own culture, but we rarely have the opportunity to explore styles used across cultures. This presentation will explore those styles and suggest effective approaches not only to understanding these differences but also to bridging them.

Help for Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Victims in American Expatriate Families: The American Domestic Violence Crisis Line Model (4E)
Paula Lucas
Domestic violence and child abuse are just as hidden in expatriate populations as they are anywhere else in the world. Being a victim overseas, isolated, unable to speak the local language, having few or no resources, all add layers of complexity to the already challenging dynamic of a family that has relocated globally. The American Domestic Violence Crisis Line, 866-USWOMEN, operates an international toll free domestic violence and child abuse hotline providing services to an estimated 6 million American civilians living in foreign countries. We will look at the hurdles victims face as expatriates overseas and at what happens when they flee abuse trans-nationally and return to the USA for safety. 

We will discuss the services the organization offers to victims and how a coordinated community response and a no-tolerance to domestic violence and child abuse in the American expat communities can further assist survivors.

Starting Your Own Business - Building the Life You Want (5A)
Doris Fuellgrabe
The purpose of this presentation is to share with the audience the journey the presenter followed from international student via international employee and trailing spouse to expat coach and owner of her own company, Building the Life You Want LLC. Doris draws on over 10 years of personal expat experience that made her want to support others. The audience will hear tips and descriptions of how and where she got the necessary information to dot the i's and cross the t's en route to realizing her dream. She will also make time for and encourage the audience to share their experiences and brainstorm ideas to make sure everybody who wants to start a business will leave her presentation motivated and informed.

Family Care Plans and Personal Preparedness Plans (5B)
Laura Kantor-Chupp
One of the most important ways of ensuring your family is cared for during an overseas separation or an emergency is to make certain all individuals charged with taking care of children are informed and frequently updated with contact information. A Family Care Plan and a Personal Preparedness Plan are very important for all families and are especially critical for single parents on overseas assignments and dual working parents.

This session will examine and underscore the benefits of establishing and continually updating a Family Care Plan and a Personal Preparedness Plan. Critically important to families in transition or those separated geographically, this session will firmly establish the need for these documents, provide real-world implications of not having these plans, and offer practical solutions.

Using Social Media to Boost Your Global Reach (5C)
Paulette M. Bethel
Brice Royer
Social media is dramatically influencing how we interact and engage with others, including friends, family and business associates.  Traditional means of communication through messaging are no longer adequate, especially as we have now propelled into a global communications and working environment.  The new social media, blogging, user communities, podcasting, and social networking are increasingly becoming tools of choice for those who are truly seeking a globally-connected paradigm for work and play.  In this session, Paulette and Brice will provide a framework to understand and use the latest social media tools: blogs, podcasts, webinars and social networks, especially in a globally nomadic environment.  Using elements of Paulette's doctoral thesis research, Brice's expertise, established practices and live webinar demo, attendees will hear and see how to develop a successful internet-based media environment that will allow them to actively communicate with the ATCK and international community, consumers and patrons on a worldwide basis.

How Can Corporations, Schools and Families Work Together to Meet Expatriate Needs? (5D)
Elizabeth Perelstein
Andrew Kittell
Doug Fainelli
Karen Hamady
For families moving abroad, finding the right school for their children is a crucial part of the decision to take an assignment and of its success.  Corporations, schools and families each have different perspectives and constraints as they consider timing, quality, cost and location - any of which can make education an obstacle to relocation.

This session, led by a panel representing corporate HR, school administrators, and parents, uses the case study method to explore the different perspectives and to foster communication between the sectors. The objective of this interactive program is to eliminate barriers related to schooling and education abroad which presently hinder expatriate assignments.

Pretzel Moments in Suitcase Years: Lessons Learned in Unplanned Relocations (5E)
Becky Powell
This seminar integrates the experiences of unplanned local and international relocations with research on the experiences and issues of globally transitioning families.  The teaching method involves personal stories, multisensory activities, and suggestions for facing unplanned relocations. Come and enjoy pretzels and discuss ways that friends and communities can assist families through unplanned and traumatic relocations. This presentation links her research with personal experiences.  Her daughter Alexandra is now 8. "Pretzel Moments" is a family catchphrase for stressful times.  The metaphor emerges from a bag of spilled pretzels on a trip across America during 17 months of suitcases.

Cracker Barrels

Strategic Steps for OffRamping Professionals
Betsey Bagley
Organizations, as well as individuals, will benefit from this session focused on spousal career support for expatriate families. The choice to become a "trailing spouse" has a significant impact on longer-term career choices. The effort required to relocate a family can over-shadow the importance of the accompanying spouse's career transition. The spouse's default option may be to disengage all together. It is not uncommon for strategic-minded individuals to, for the first time, blindly make decisions about their professional direction. With the proper knowledge, resources, and supports, professionals can make informed choices among well thought-out options. During this session we will discuss the best ways to approach a non-linear career. If a career break is chosen, it is critical to manage that time out of the workforce in a manner that ensures a successful re-entry. This knowledge can increase spousal support for the relocation and ease family stress.

TCKs and Tolerance: What TCK Barack Obama Has Taught Us About Race, Diversity  & Inclusion
Paulette Martinez Bethel
Donna Musil
While the election of President Barack Obama, now one of the world's most famous TCKs, did not spell an end to racial disparity and intolerance in America, it represented momentous progress. Obama's mantra of being a cultural bridge and believing that "change can happen" has propelled us into engaging in a 21st century dialogue about race.  How can TCKs and others involved in global mobility help to promulgate this notion? What can others learn about race, tolerance and inclusion from the TCK experience?
In this session participants will:

• Discuss how TCKs can offer an alternative perspective to illuminate the old debates about race
• Consider the "natural" diversity skills that TCK/global nomads develop through their lived experiences
• Explore how they can be used in the workplace to promote better understanding about the value of being different

How to Have a Personal Conversation with a Global Community
Paulette Martinez Bethel
Brice Royer
Social media is dramatically influencing how we interact and engage with others, including friends, family and business associates.  Traditional means of communication through messaging are no longer adequate, especially as we have now propelled into a global communications and working environment.  The new social media, blogging, user communities, podcasting, and social networking are increasingly becoming tools of choice for those who are truly seeking a globally connected paradigm for work and play.  In this session you will:

1. Discuss the new trend for reaching customers and other people who matter through online dialogue
2. Introduce the most popular online tools, i.e., Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Ning to promote a global conversation and stay connected with the international community
3. Briefly explore how to make the most of this online conversation

Employer Assistance for Male Spouses: Their #1 Need  
Nina Cole
This session will provide you with ‘breaking news' from male spouses about what kind of employer assistance they most need as a special subgroup of expatriate spouses. This information comes straight from the men themselves. In 2007-2008, male spouses in the Asia-Pacific region participated in the largest field research project to date on this growing population.  Find out how your organization can become a leader in meeting the needs of these key players in the lives of your female expatriate employees.

What Can HR Managers Do? 10 Things to Ask the HR Manager
Deniz Demirors
Whether you are asked to relocate for the first, second or third time, you will always have many questions especially if you need to take your family with you. The best person to answer these questions is the HR manager. In this session we will discuss some of the questions you can ask the HR manager. We will identify some of these key questions and talk about how to ask them.

Instrument to Assess Children's Pre-Departure Readiness Needs
Carley Dodd
Dana Hooker
The intercultural competence literature and the TCK literature increasingly emphasize the growing recognition of children's needs and overall family concerns in the expatriate's success in overseas assignments. Specifically, understanding more fully a child's needs and unique profile related to intercultural adaptation prior to an overseas assignment is significant. This presentation reveals two newly-developed instruments that assess (1) early childhood and (2) preteen/early teen intercultural readiness needs. Based on established literature on intercultural competence and on TCK analysis, this research effort presents a children's version of the already established Intercultural Readiness Assessment scale.

Affirmation, Intuition and Opportunity: Take Charge of Your Destiny
Diane Endo
Opportunities are presented to us over and over again.  These opportunities are manifestations of our connections with the universe.  They are the vehicle with which we advance our life plans.  When we affirm our positive thoughts instead of our limitations, we bring different opportunities into our lives.  Our intuition guides us to make the right choice when faced with an opportunity.  We are persistent in reaching out to the universe and attracting similar opportunities over and over again until we do what is right for us, and then we move on.  Transitions such as ex-pats face are often repeat opportunities for us to realize our best possible selves.  We may feel we are not in control of our situation.  Discover how we may be the creators of our situation, and how, by using affirmation and intuition, we can recognize and take advantage of opportunities that fulfill our deeply held dreams.

Your Business Plan in a Nutshell
Doris Fuellgrabe
The Business Plan is a helpful and important document for every business owner and entrepreneur. It is easy to become hesitant and faint-hearted when contemplating all the important details and the amount of research needed for a well-prepared plan; yet there are really only three questions that, if answered well, will take your business off to a flying start:

• Who are my customers?
• What do they need?
• How can I best give that to them?

The Business Plan is a living, breathing organism that changes and has the ability to grow depending on your own input and vision. It takes courage to "think big," and in my business, the bigger you think the more happy people you get.

Ten Things You Must Not Say To Your Boarder and Ten Things You Must Pack
Apple Gidley
Join Apple for a light-hearted look at one of the hardest things you will do - send your precious child off to boarding school.  We will also discuss the absolute must-haves that need to be packed in ‘the trunk'.  This practical guide that will help your teen assimilate into his / her new environment whilst remaining connected to home.  This discussion is also suitable for college-bound young men and women.

Examples and Applications of International Expatriate Knowledge Management
Neal Goodman
The focus will be on how to use Knowledge Management (KM) to:
1.  Enhance the international assignment experience for all
2.  Promote cultural intelligence within the organization
3.  Enhance the visibility of those on international assignments
4.  Enhance the reentry experience by applying the model
5.  Share examples

Cultural Homelessness and Cross-Cultural Labels
Raquel Hoersting
Those who experience a cross-culturally mobile childhood may have more difficulty consolidating a cultural identity. Does considering oneself a part of cross-cultural subgroups and assuming labels, such as TCK, Global Nomad, Missionary Kid, Military Brat, Overseas Brat and others help negotiate some sort of cultural identity? Join us as we briefly discuss the results of a study on this topic and brainstorm ways to avoid pitfalls and maximize the benefits of using cross-cultural self-labels.

Are You Prepared?
Laura Kantor-Chupp
What do you need to accomplish in order to be prepared for family or life emergency?  Many times we find ourselves in very reactive states after encountering a trauma or life changing event.  How prepared are you so you are not continuously running in crisis mode? Take a few moments to learn what you need to ensure you and your family are prepared.

Tell Me a Story – Sharing Your Expat Life
Glenda Lewin and Jo Parfitt
This session will inform participants on how they can be proactive in reflecting and sharing their unique social and emotional international experiences with each other - by collating a written or oral historical record. Sharing positive and negative experiences validates the chosen lifestyle and gives a voice and listening ear to expatriation in the same way as this conference seeks to do. The Expatriate Archive Centre provides a forum, a collection point, where stories can be documented, stored and preserved for historians and researchers of the future to learn, understand and appreciate.

Blogs & You
Andrea Martins
Do you know what a blog is and how best to use one?  If you are not using a blog, or not using one very well, come along and get a quick introduction to the simplest social media option available for individuals, groups and/or organizations to get messages out, stay in touch with their users and network with valuable contacts all over the world. (Includes a 3-minute video presentation.)

Social Networking Strategies for Spouses on an International Job Search
Susan Musich
Research indicates that one of the top reasons international assignments fail is due to the spouse's career situation. This Cracker Barrel session will allow spouses to discuss and learn a leading edge technique to leverage technology for a successful international job search. Handouts will be provided.

The Myth of Resilience:  Grief, Trauma & the TCK
Donna Musil
Multiple moves alone can affect a child long into adulthood, but other than encouraging TCKs to "bounce back," "get over it," and "be resilient," there is scant research on how the TCK life affects people, and absolutely no aftercare for TCKs once they leave their environment.

1. Describe the symptoms of trauma and PTSD and how to recognize them in TCKs and adult TCKs.
2. Offer some tips on what to do when a TCK shows symptoms of trauma, including:
   1. Helping the TCK feel safe.
   2. Remembering and mourning the cause of the trauma.
   3. Reconnecting the TCK with his or her community in order to build a new and more positive future.

Best Friends that Haven't Yet Met: Why (HR) Managers of Organizations Should Connect with Leaders Inside Schools
Doug Ota
Companies invest heavily in hiring and transferring the right employee for the right position.  After all, relocations that go poorly are expensive in terms of diminished productivity, and relocations that fail cost factors of an annual salary.  The adjustment of an employee's family members can both enhance and detract from that employee's success on the job.  Recognizing that "all ships rise on a rising sea," many companies now also invest in support of the spouse.  The fate of the children, however, is largely considered the responsibility of the local (international) school(s).  But given that "all ships fall on a falling sea," does this make sense?  Or should companies join ranks to support their local schools in developing comprehensive transitions programs?  What would such collaboration look like?  Come join a turbo debate on whether the time has come to foster connections between the leaders of outside companies and the (potential) leaders of transitions programs inside schools.

We're Moving: What Do We Do About School?
Elizabeth Perelstein
This will be an interactive session designed to help parents identify their child's characteristics, family values, and logistical lines in the sand in order to make optimal school choices when relocating. Participants will be given a handout pre-printed with headings that reflect categories of concerns families might think about when considering different educational options.  (These may include: Ease of Transition, Curriculum, Parental Involvement, Location, etc.) The group will brainstorm factors of importance to each participant under each heading.  Together we will develop a list of resources so that a family can independently seek the information they need to answer their essential questions. At the close of the session, I will distribute a handout with prior reflections on factors to consider when choosing a school in a new location and details about where to get information.

5 Questions to Cope with Change for Global Families
Kellie Poulin
Terry Kinnard
The experience of relocation for members of the global family brings with it the need to cope with change.  Learn the five questions you can ask to discover what parts of you/Selves play a role in your behaviors during transitional experiences. Having this tool available allows personal perspective and invites pre-emptive awareness that supports these parts/Selves. You are then able to respond rather than unconsciously react to the challenges that moving presents in your life.

Ten Ways to Provide Support for Internationally Mobile Families for $10 or Less!
Tina Quick
Dr. Michèle Lewis O'Donnell
In increasingly difficult economic conditions, organizations are cutting support for their internationally mobile families. This Cracker Barrel session will focus on low or no-cost practices organizations can easily employ to effectively support their employees and families in global transition.

Get Your Bags Ready; You're Suddenly Going Home!
Naomi Ritchie
Whether an expat is sent overseas with the government, private industry or NGOs, we are now going to places that are increasingly more dangerous, contributing to the stress we are already feeling from moving and adjusting to a new culture.  This stress may add to emerging or pre-existing problems at home. For a variety of reasons we may suddenly find ourselves packing to go home before we had planned.  It is essential to have contingency plans in place for this possibility and to know what resources and support are available to us when we get back.  Elements of a good contingency plan and company support available back home will be discussed.

Unaccompanied Assignments – Connecting the Community through Technology
Bridget Roddy
Since the State Department has over 800 unaccompanied positions that must be filled each year, an increasing number of Foreign and Civil Service employees are accepting assignments at locations to which they cannot bring their family.  Some families may be able to remain at their current post of assignment, while others must uproot and temporarily move to the US or other foreign location.  With families spread throughout the globe, how can you use technology to reach out to these families, put them in contact with each other, and offer suggestions and resources for maintaining bonds and communication with the employee?  This session will address current and future Family Liaison Office (FLO) and State Department initiatives to address this challenge and these concerns. 

Adult Military Children: Predictors of Relationship Attachments
Codi Schale
Description coming soon...

Essential Strategies for Language Learning Success
Laura Sicola
Do you need to learn a new language for a current or upcoming overseas assignment? Come discover the five essential strategies for maximizing your language learning success! Don't sabotage yourself with self-doubt – take charge! In this cracker barrel session, you'll not only get strategic tips to fit any learning situation, but you'll also have a chance to get answers to all of your questions about language development, whether pertaining to such issues as myths about age and language aptitude, rules and memorization, relative "difficulty" of languages, or computer programs, just to name a few. Ask about any burning issues you've always wondered about. Leave feeling empowered and excited to begin your language journey with concrete steps to take to springboard you into linguistic success.

Localizing Support for Families on Expatriate Assignment
Thomas Speckhardt
Mike Cannon
The importance of creating positive community in highly mobile environments cannot be underestimated.  Providing family support from a distance is often difficult.  This session provides practical examples and tools necessary to create supportive environments for expatriate youth and families while on assignment. Participants will gain insight into the need for localized primary support networks.

What to Do When There is No Transition Program in Your School: My Experience
Chica Strauszer
It only takes one family to experience the benefits of a good transition program in an international school to understand the importance of this "in-school transition training and support." But what happens when your children begin anew at a school that doesn't have such transition programming in place? How can you as a parent help? Chica Strauszer will describe and share the lesson she learned in Holland which helped her start up a program at The International School Nido de Aguilas in Santiago, to assist other parents wishing to start a program at their own international school.

Cross Culture Transitions: Measurable and Healthy Transition Processes
Rachel Timmons
This session will enlarge upon current research concerning how to help TCPs through cross culture transitions utilizing a research based transition rubric. This information is suitable for adults, families, and students engaging in home/ host culture transitions. The focus of this session will be adapted to the transition interests and needs of the attendees.

black and (A)broad
Carolyn van Es-Vines
In this session I plan to offer what I believe to be the three issues that African-Americans contend with when living or traveling abroad outside the US: (1) body image (2) racism (3) lack of community.  By concentrating on these issues, I hope to generate an open and frank discussion around the question: are these issues really particular to African-Americans?  Whatever the answer, representatives of the various sectors and attendees have an opportunity to hear a different perspective to living in transition.

TCK Spiritual Support 101
Abigail S. Visco
This session will briefly explore the key challenges that mobility poses for faith formation in TCKs, and how families/ organizations can best address those challenges. Resources about ministry networks and organizations around the world will be provided for any and all who are interested in supporting the spiritual development of TCKs and their families.  This session is also appropriate for any individual who is interested in learning more about connecting with these ministry networks.  Though this session will provide information primarily about Christian ministries and organizations, any and all faith backgrounds are encouraged to participate and dialogue.

Tips for Helping Young Adults through Cross-cultural Transitions
Jennifer Wilson
This session will give a quick overview of simple strategies parents, teachers, administrators, extended family members and others who help young adults as they transition home or across cultures. Practical suggestions and real examples will be given to provide hope to those helping these individuals and the individuals themselves.  We also will examine how the differences in type of occupation that took the individual overseas may impact the kind of resources the young adult most needs upon re-entry or transitioning back and forth between cultures.  Lastly, a quick snapshot of what a successful transition looks like will be presented.

Can Host Country National Schools be a Viable Option?
Karen Wrobbel
Martha Strickland
Expatriate families typically use international schools for children's education.  However, some families may want to consider the local, host country schools.  They offer convenience, affordability, and an opportunity to experience the local culture in a close and personal way.  However, national schools are not for everyone.  We will highlight advantages and potential challenges of using host country schools as well as factors to consider before choosing this option.  Bullet-point handouts will be provided to maximize time for conversation among participants.  Both presenters have worked closely with families who use national schools, and one of the presenters has formally researched this population.

Planning for the Long Term: Considerations for Globally Mobile Parents
Karen Wrobbel
Martha Strickland
What do globally mobile families need to include in their long range planning?  The presenters will briefly share ideas that they have gleaned from 20+ years each in international education and family support services.  Then, participants will be invited to share their own stories of "what I wish I had known." Questions participants may have as they look to the future will also be explored and supported by both experience and current research. 

Research Projects

Expatriate Accompanying Partners: The Males Speak
Nina Cole
This session will provide the results of the largest academic research study ever conducted on male expatriate spouses. This group of pioneering 21st century men provided surprising information about the effects of career interruption and the value of employer spousal assistance. Male spouses have the same need as career-oriented females for employment assistance, but unique needs for their own support groups and activities.

Managing Global Talent: What do Expatriate Spouses Really Need?
Nina Cole
Despite clear evidence that spouse and family issues are essential to expatriate assignment success and company performance, employers continue to be reluctant to establish spousal assistance programs. In addition, many of the approaches to employment assistance for ‘dual career' spouses are not achieving their objective of enhancing spousal adjustment. This session will provide the results of new field research that provides valuable insights from the perspective of expatriate spouses, both male and female, regarding the most important needs for which assistance could be provided by HR/mobility managers. This session will provide a rich source of ideas for spousal assistance program design; justification for decisions regarding the content of spousal support programs; and strong rationale in support of requests for resources to implement or update spousal assistance programs.

Voices from Home: What Spouses Have to Say About Unaccompanied Short Term Assignments
Anne P. Copeland
The experience of 68 spouses of employees on short-term unaccompanied international assignments will be reported. Participants were 88% female; were citizens of 21 countries; and had spouses working in 17 countries. An on-line survey included quantitative measures of (a) the assignment (amount of control they had, how well supported their families felt, their spouse's view of the job), (b) their family experience (interaction and communication patterns, social support, work-family interference, and household tasks), and (c) their own and their children's adjustment. Participants also answered open-ended questions about their family's experience. Participants who felt better supported by their organizations and who had more control over the assignment had better adjustment, as did their children.  Better adjustment and higher satisfaction was also seen when the traveling spouse did more housework when home, when levels of worry about safety were lower, and when the at-home spouse realized potential benefits to the assignment.

Addressing Mental Health Concerns of Foreign Students
Smitha Day
Typical western counseling services are not adequate to meet the needs of international students studying on US college campuses. This presentation hopes to lend insight to the clinical mental health needs of this population and give suggestions for further studies. The population to be discussed in this presentation were students from a wide range of US college campuses. The methodology used to study this population was face to face interviews and a survey questionnaire.  The research questions explored:

• What are the mental health needs of foreign students?
• How do foreign students perceive these mental health needs?
• What are the issues that counselors need to know to be better equipped to serve this population?

Instrument to Assess Children's Pre-Departure Readiness Needs
Carley Dodd
Dana Hooker
The intercultural competence literature and the TCK literature increasingly emphasize the growing recognition of children's needs and overall family concerns in the expatriate's success in overseas assignments. Specifically, understanding more fully a child's needs and unique profile related to intercultural adaptation prior to an overseas assignment is significant. This presentation reveals two newly-developed instruments which assess (1) early childhood and (2) preteen/early teen intercultural readiness needs. Based on established literature on intercultural competence and on TCK analysis, this research effort presents a children's version of the already established Intercultural Readiness Assessment scale.

The Implications of Cultural Homelessness, Self-esteem and a Cross-Cultural Childhood
Raquel Hoersting
Understanding cultural identity is a central issue when discussing individuals who experience cross-cultural moves. Because of changing cultural frames of reference during their developmental years, TCKs may experience difficulty consolidating a cultural identity and may be at risk for cultural homelessness (Vivero & Jenkins, 1999). The presentation will include partial results of a study that explored the interplay of cultural identity and self-concept among adults whose childhood was characterized by cross-cultural experiences. The theoretical definition of Third Culture Kids (TCKs), as given by Pollock and Van Reken (2001), will be discussed in the context of relevant results. Patterns of multicultural relationships, cultural homelessness (Vivero & Jenkins, 1999), self-esteem and trends in the TCK community will be addressed. The implications of cultural-self labeling will be discussed.

Adult Military Children: Predictors of Relationship Attachments
Codi Schale
This research poster is from an ongoing dissertation study investigating the adulthood attachments of persons who grew up as children in the U.S. military (i.e., "military brats"). Patterns of adulthood relationship attachments to mothers, fathers, best friends, and romantic partners are investigated, as are the military-related factors (e.g., number of moves when young, length of parental deployments during adolescence, etc.) predicting these brat adult attachment patterns. Lastly, the relationship between adult attachment patterns and life satisfaction are examined. Recommendations are made based upon an attachment theory framework.

Cross Culture Transitions: Measurable and Healthy Transition Processes
Rachel Timmons
This session's content is based on current research concerning what it means to be a third culture person, especially concerning how to deal with cross culture transitions. Transition will be presented as a process developing over time rather than a one time experience. A research based transition rubric designed to help guide successful transitions will be shared and applied to various different types of transition experiences. Specific areas of transition will be discussed and descriptors mentioned concerning stages of the transition process. This research and the transition guide or rubric is suitable for adults, families, and students engaging in home and host culture transitions. The purpose of this study is to make sure that the rich experience of being a TCP will be a positive life long experience in both the host culture and in the home culture.

Family Factors Associated with TCK Adjustment in Adulthood
Jennifer Wilson
Data were collected from an adult sample of TCKs recruited primarily through word of mouth, Facebook, snowball recruitment through e-mails, and e-mailing alumni organizations of Department of Defense Overseas Schools.  Participants ranged in age from 18 – 72; the sample was predominantly white, married, and most participants had some college education.  Analyses indicated that Adult TCKs from missionary families reported higher levels of psychological distress than individuals from military families and families living and working overseas due to other responsibilities.  Relationships between family variables and later psychological adjustment, as well as relationships between multi-cultural adjustment, family factors, and psychological distress will be examined. Practical application of support for families, organizations, and service providers will be given.