Building an FS community for kids

One of the most challenging parts of moving every couple years to a brand new country is helping our kids feel a sense of community. Our U.S. History Abroad community is so special in that it brings FS kids together from all over the world! Kids worked hard to put together a special box for someone else and receiving a box in return connects them to another kid who’s living a similar (but just as unique) life.

Teaching our kids about the world

FS kids have such a unique opportunity to see the world! And they tend to see so much more of it than their peers back at home. Living in new countries opens their eyes to the greater world and tends to spark their curiosity. With the Box Swap, our kids are able to see and learn about even more of the world. With the Box Swap, they literally get a taste of what other FS kids are eating (or seeing or playing with) across the globe!

​Keeping FS life exciting!

We’re always looking for ways to keep our FS kids engaged in our community, and keep them excited to learn. U.S. History Abroad is much more than teaching kids about American history, it’s also about helping them build confidence, compassion, community, and connection. Fun activities like the Box Swap are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the creative ways we keep FS life exciting for our kids!
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Your family can be a part of our wonderful community too! We strive to help your kids better connect not just to their unique life abroad, but also to their country back at home! If you haven’t yet, join our Toolbox for Foreign Service Families Facebook group and be a part of our next Box Swap—and so many other fun things created just for our FS community!

But before we packed out—we had a lot of questions about what to expect for the A-100 and SOAR foreign service orientations and how to make sure our family was ready for life abroad.

Tips for getting through the Foreign Service A-100

Obviously, my husband’s focus was on completing the A-100, or SOAR, class. Granted, this is an orientation—the really challenging part, all the tests, is behind you—so there’s less pressure. That doesn’t mean you can just check the box by showing up.

How you engage and show up can make a world of difference. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Joining the A-100 class means you’re joining the Foreign Service community. Use this time to meet and get to know your fellow diplomats. These people may just become your (and your family’s) support system and can possibly help you throughout your career. 
• Take advantage of the “admin” time. Besides learning the basic history, security regulations, and leadership skills you’ll need to be a successful FSO, there’s also a lot to do to get ready for your first post. Use your downtime to complete assessments and get your affairs in order. 
• The A-100 dress code is smart. Men are typically required to wear suits and women are expected to wear jackets with their dresses and slacks. But keep in mind, the weather in DC can get muggy in the summer and really cold in the winter, so pack and plan accordingly. (By the way, the dress code at FSI is a lot more casual.)
  

Planning beyond the your A-100 class

Getting your family ready to move abroad and adjust to a brand-new life, while discussed during foreign service orientation, generally requires a little more planning. Moving your family around the world can be stressful and it can sometimes be challenging for children and spouses, but in general, the foreign service is very family friendly and comes with a lot of perks for your FS family. 

Most of these perks are things that won’t be mentioned during A-100; they’re things you’ll learn after being in the FS for a while--unless, you know where to look or can get some veteran FSO insights. 
And having been in the foreign service since 20210, our family can give you some insight into how to maximize your FS experience!

If you’re a family joining the Foreign Service, this will be your go-to resource: 40 Hacks for FS Families

From travel tips to housing hacks, and everything in between, consider this your cheat sheet for life in the foreign service! Implementing even just two or three of these suggestions could make a big impact on your life and adventures in the FS abroad.

Get 40 Hacks for FS Families here ?

Now that you’re a part of the FS community, I’d love to connect! Join me and thousands of other FS families in our Toolbox for Foreign Service Families Facebook group! You’ll find even more resources, tools, hacks, and tips to help you and your family adjust to your new FS life.

​Good news!: U.S. History Abroad helps Foreign Service kids develop many of these skills! Enroll and get more info at www.ushistoryabroad.com!

Students in Course C explore the formation of the thirteen colonies, the thrill of the American Revolution, and the construction of the Constitution with the Founding Fathers.

These students take on additional lessons outside of their regular school day because they (and their parents) know how important it is to keep up with American history studies while living abroad. 

I'm so proud of these kiddos and wanted to share their hard work with you!

Looking for a list of fun, family friendly podcasts that your kids will enjoy??
You've come to the right place... 
 
Brains On!
An award-winning science podcast for kids and curious adults from American Public Media. 

But Why: A Podcast for Curious kids (NPR), But Why is a show led by kids! Kids ask the questions and they find, the answers. It's a big interesting world out there. They tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, even the end of the world.

Circle Round (NPR)
Created and produced by parents of young children, WBUR's Circle Round adapts carefully-selected folktales from around the world into sound- and music-rich radio plays for kids ages 4 to 10. Each 10-to 20 minute episode explores important issues like kindness, persistence and generosity. And each episode ends with an activity that inspires a deeper conversation between children and grown-ups. 

For Scores
In For Scores, host Jon Burlingame takes listeners on a magical journey into the world of film and television composers, revealing never-before heard special moments behind many of today's most beloved scores. 

Mystery Recipe (America's Test Kitchen)
Uncover the fun, fantastical, and fascinating sides of food

Planet Money (NPR)
The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, "Let's meet up so I can hear what's going on with the economy." Now imagine that's actually a fun evening. 

Proof (America's Test Kitchen)
Weird, surprising and funny backstories around food 

RadioLab for Kids (WNYC Studios)
Kid-friendly stories curated by Radiolab. 

Six Minutes
Eleven-year-old Holiday is pulled from the icy waters of Alaska with no memory of who she is or where she came from. Are her mom and dad, really who they say they are? And when she begins to develop incredible abilities, she'll soon discover she's not alone in the world. From the Peabody award-winning creators of The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel and the Peabody award-nominated Treasure Island 2020, comes Six Minutes, a mystery adventure for the whole family. Six minute episodes, twice a week, all year long...and beyond. Produced by Gen-Z Media in partnership with PRX. 

Smash Boom Best
Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best. 
​
Story Pirates
Story Pirates is a group of world-class actors, comedians, improvisers and musicians who adapt stories written by kids into sketch comedy and musical theater. 

The Way the World Works: A Tuttle Twins podcast tackles current events, hot topics, and fun ideas to help your family find clarity in a world full of confusion. This would be a solid choice for parents that want to teach their kids about Libertarian political principles. 

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
Listen along as eleven-year-old Mars Patel and his pals JP, Toothpick and Caddie set out on a daring adventure in search of two missing friends. But the mysterious tech billionaire Oliver Pruitt might just have a thing or two to say about their quest... Winner of the Peabody Award, Webby Award and Parents' Choice Gold Award. 

What If World
Each week, Mr. Eric takes a "What if?" question from a kid and spins it, into a story for all of you! 

Wow in the World (NPR)
Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz guide curious kids and their grown ups on a journey into the wonders of the world around them. We'll go inside our brains, out into space and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology. 

What others would you add to this list? 

Foreign Service kids are so blessed with a fantastic life of adventure and culture—and some really thrive in this kind of dynamic environment. But as a parent, you know that the Foreign Service also comes with certain challenges for our children too.
 
Transitions can be stressful and some kids might struggle with the constant changes brought on by each new post. Being uprooted every couple of years can also deprive children of a sense of belonging; they may struggle to maintain friendships and could even find it difficult to find their identity as a third-culture kid.
 
Our kids’ lives are so unique, the challenges they face are some their peers back at home could even fathom. That requires some specific and strategic problem solving—and thankfully, there are so many resources available to us as FS parents, including parenting coaches.
 
Parenting coaches provide tools, ideas, and support to help us help our children through any problems they may face. On top of that, they can help you be the best parent—especially during transitions. And what’s great is that there are several parenting coaches who specialize in helping foreign service families.
 
This is actually something I’ve been personally looking into for a while, even more so since my own family has moved across the world to a new post in the last year. Here’s a round-up of a few foreign service parenting coaches who I think would be incredibly helpful to our FS community families!

Former U.S. Ambassador William Stoltzfus Jr. served many years in the Middle East, but it took him two attempts to be able to pass the Foreign Service Officer test. He was quoted in Princeton’s weekly community newsletter, Town Topics, saying, “I was turned down because they felt I didn't know enough about the U.S.!”

That statement makes sense when you consider that Ambassador Stolzfus, a child to Presbyterian missionaries, William and Ethel Stolfzfus, spent his childhood in Syria and Lebanon until he was 15 years old.

“I had fallen really short when asked to name 11 ports on the Mississippi River and other
mysterious questions to someone who grew up in the Middle East,” he told writer Jean
Stratton. “So I studied some American history, and the second time around, I was accepted.”

Families within the Foreign Service are expected to work and live overseas, and their children
get to experience some pretty amazing things throughout their overseas childhood, but there
can be a tradeoff.

American history is often not a course that is available in the host country,
even though it's an important subject that should be taught to American kids—no matter
where they live.

Online supplemental American history courses, such as the ones offered at U.S. History Abroad,
make it easy for parents to provide the American history education that kids are receiving in
American schools.

These types of program mean foreign service kids can continue to benefit from the unique experiences of living abroad, while still keeping pace with their peers back in the States. So as a FS parent, you truly can support your child’s education and give them the best of both worlds!
For more information, visit www.ushistoryabroad.com.

In August, I held a very special EFM Careers Summit inside the Toolbox for Americans Abroad Facebook Group. I live-chatted with nine speakers to get their advice and stories about how they’ve created and managed careers for themselves while at different posts all over the world! There were so many great takeaways, it’s much too difficult to share it all on one page, so here are a few quick-hit words of wisdom from each of the guest speakers.

Now you can watch or rewatch all of these video interviews, just click HERE! 

​Moving from one country to another can be stressful and sometimes feel isolating, especially if you’re doing it frequently. It’s important to have a strong community around you to give support, offer a helping hand, and simply provide friendship.

No matter where in the world you are, our Foreign Service community can be a great resource to help you get through life at a new post, but plugging in somewhere new is often easier said than done. And once you do get plugged in, life can get in the way of staying connected. So how do you go about getting and staying involved in your community? Here are five tips I’ve used as I’ve moved with my family from one post to the next:

1. Put yourself out there! I totally understand that if you’re shy, actually taking the step to connect to strangers can seem terrifying; but the truth is, so many other people are looking for a friend and sense of community too--they’re just too afraid to make the first move themselves. Start by connecting where you feel comfortable. It can be as simple as complimenting someone in line while picking up your packages, making small talk with someone at your favorite coffee shop, or planning a play date for your kids. Putting yourself out there may be the most challenging step, but it’s also the most rewarding!
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2. Make friends with your Community Liaison Officer (CLO). Ask your CLO for the inside scoop on your post’s community. How have people come together in the past? Are there certain activities that really bring the community together? Is there a community chat on WhatsApp or do people prefer communicating on Facebook? You can even try asking what’s missing in the community. Are people craving a book club but no one’s organized one yet? Be willing to step up and fill a void. Your CLO is a tremendous support system; let them you know what to be involved in the community and/or meet new friends, and they’ll probably get the word out and point you in the right direction.

​3. Join the community Facebook group. If there isn’t a group set up for your local post then create one! Use it as a forum to talk about what your family is doing. If you’re taking your kids swimming, ask if other parents want to come along. If you just tried a new restaurant, share your thoughts and ask for additional recommendations.
​
4. Just say YES! Start saying yes to all the invitations that come your way! This isn’t forever, but when you first arrive at a new post, do your best to attend every get-together, party, play date, CLO Coffee, or other invitation extended to you. You’ll meet new people and showing up for stuff will help you keep tabs on all the community goings-on.

5. Throw a party! Better yet, don’t wait for others to invite you to a party—throw your own! Most people are looking for a sense of community too, they’re just too afraid to make the first move. It doesn’t have to be elaborate either. Love wine? Create a wine club. Into board games? Host a family game night! Or simply bring people together for a barbecue or a potluck.

Above all else, remember everyone is new to a post at one point. So don’t stress! It might take a little time to find your community, but I’ll happen. If you put yourself out there and share a friendly smile, you’ll ultimately find the circle that’s right for you!
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Want more tips and tricks for making your life in the Foreign Service a bit easer? For an ongoing list of ideas like these, straight to your inbox each week, subscribe to 3-Things. 

Once your family makes the decision to join the foreign service and move abroad, it—very obviously—completely changes your life. With every new post comes new opportunities, new challenges, new excitement.
 
No matter how long you’ve been in the foreign service and living abroad for, you’ll learn there are a few essentials you need to make your life easier.
 
My family has been a part of the foreign service for more than 9 years (and are currently bidding)! I've found that as new technology, gadgets, entertainment, and life hacks become available, life abroad gets a little easier and easier. Make sure you have these seven essentials with you no matter where you are in the world.

​1. Pack a Go Bag At this point, we all know how important it is to have an emergency kit for when disaster strikes. Living abroad in often unstable, unfamiliar, or at the very least, interesting places, it’s even more essential. A natural disaster or even a power outage can leave your family in the lurch if you’re not prepared. Actually putting a Go Bag together can be overwhelming—there are so many “must-have” items. Which do you really need? Which are the best? Let’s Go! Bags takes the hassle out of making your own. You can order a complete kit—with everything from light to food to water to chargers—or make your own from their curated list of supplies. Let’s Go! Bag makes it so easy, so no more excuses for not having one.

2. Learn CPR Here’s another living-abroad essential many of us have neglected or put off. Maybe you think you don’t have the time or won’t be able to handle the stress of having someone’s life on your hands, but a basic knowledge of CPR is truly the difference between life and death. This video from the British Heart Foundation proves it’s not as hard as it looks (and trust me, after watching, you won’t soon forget the technique).
​
3. Keep Your Kids Safe The Gift of Fear and Protecting the Gift are two MUST reads for any parent. The Gift of Fear teaches you how to trust your gut to protect yourself in potentially dangerous situations, and Protecting the Gift takes it a step further by sharing practical steps to ensure your children are protected and giving you the tools to keep them safe, no matter their age.

4. Listen to the Expat Happy Hour This awesome podcast—hosted by Sundae Bean, an “intercultural specialist” and expat coach—is dedicated to helping expats adapt and succeed when living abroad. Expat Happy Hour is created to help you solve some of the stickiest challenges related to international life. It’s funny, heartfelt, and helpful, and will get your through tough transitions and help you feel more connected.

5. Stock Up on The Right Gadgets Having the right tech in your pocket will make life abroad so much easier. This solar-powered phone charger ensures you have power, as long as there’s sun. If you don’t already have an Amazon Kindle, then get one! The newest version holds thousands of titles so you’ll never be without something to read. Finally, this non-tech multi-tool is really 10 tools in one; from a driver to tweezers to a bottle opener, you’ll be set for whatever life throws at you. 

6. Get Some Helpful Travel Tech Whether you’re into researching your next trip or hate the idea of looking up places, there’s a travel app for you. TripIt helps you organize and access all your travel bookings in one place (offline too!). On the other hand, Inspirock does all the planning for you, building an itinerary with tons of carefully curated attractions to match her personal preferences. Of course, you’ll want to capture all your amazing travel moments, and for that, there’s Flytographer, which sets you up with a local photographer at more than 300 destinations across the world. Need a method to pay for the next trip? Make sure the foreign transaction fees on your travel credit card are minimal (or even better, zero!). You'll likely be able to score some rewards when you use your card too!
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7. Hack Your Foreign Service Life There are a ton of benefits to living abroad, but if you don’t know the hacks that’ll make your life easier, you’re missing out! Download 40 Hacks for Life in the Foreign Service and see what a huge impact it makes! I know it’ll save you so much time, money, and stress! www.ushistoryabroad.com/hacks

Click >>HERE<< to read more testimonials from parents and students. 

​If your child is a new student at school this year or has had a tough time adjusting in the past, then you’ll want to implement the 11 tips below to set the stage for a successful year ahead.
 
We parents know that the Foreign Service lifestyle provides many benefits for our children. It also comes with challenges that can be heartbreaking to witness, especially if you don’t know how to help.
 
Think about how you would feel if you had to go into the office every day to a job where you felt unqualified, unprepared, or isolated. You would hate it and probably not succeed for very long. Following the tips below will ensure that the groundwork is in place for our kids to shine and feel proud of themselves!

Parent-teacher conferences are nice, but don’t wait until you’re invited to meet the teacher. Not every school has them and sometimes they occur several months into the school year, which is too late. Instead, schedule 20-30 minutes before or after school for an introductory meeting with the teacher. You will show the teacher that you are an involved parent that cares about your child’s progress. You should also use this time to discuss unique or specific circumstances with the teacher. Is your child an introvert? Do they have learning differences? Are there any family matters that would affect your child’s focus?

Commit to volunteering at least 1-2 hours a month at the school. If parents are not allowed in the classroom then ask if you can assist in the library or with special projects, performances, or school events. Most schools have a parent association that you can join. Your kids will notice that their education is important to you.

Readers tend to be more creative, open to new ideas, and do better in school. Also, when kids are reading a good book, they can relax and de-stress. Audiobooks count too! Here’s a list of some great American classics to listen to. 

​Help kids connect with at least one other person in their classroom. If your child is shy, they may need your help! Offer to host a make-your-own-pizza party, a create an ice cream sundae bar, or a sugar cookie decorating party for your child and a few friends. Repeat until your child has at least one friend that they look forward to laughing and talking with at school.

One of the most frustrating parts about constantly moving is the inconsistency of curriculum. Here’s an example; The old school didn’t teach multiplication until 4th grade, but the new school teaches it in 3rd. SOOO, when you get to post, your 4th grader is now “a year behind” in math. What about U.S. History? Most International schools don’t teach it all, but your child will certainly need it if a domestic post is in your future, or if your kid intends to take the ACT and SAT to get into college.

U.S. History Abroad provides online American history courses for expat kids. The lessons are self- paced so students can fit them in on a weekday afternoon, a weekend, or a summer break. This year, students get a $150 Amazon gift card to purchase their choice of recommended books and games.

The daily grind of a typical school day can get pretty boring, pretty fast, BUT meals don’t have to be mundane. Here is a link to some yummy (some funny) breakfast and snack ideas that are sure to boost alertness and memory.

If you’ve ever asked your child “How was school today?” and they responded with “Fine.” or “Good.” then you’re asking the wrong question. Try asking questions that elicit full sentences and result in interesting conversation like:

• When were you happiest today?
• What would your teacher tell me about you today if I called her?
• What made you laugh today?
• If you were asked to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you do differently?
• Who would you like to sit by in class? (Who would you NOT want to sit by? Why?)
• If your day at school was a movie/song, what would the name of it be?
• Which is your easiest class? (Hardest? Learn the most? Learn the least?)
• If you could be invisible at school for a day, what would you do?
• What are the top two topics that you hear other kids talking about most at school?
• What part of the day do you look forward to? (What part do you dread?)

 
It’s also fun to ask kids to rate the school day on a scale of 1-5 on a daily basis.

It’s important to talk with kids at the beginning of the school year to communicate what is expected of them. It’s equally important for them to be able to express to you what their goals for the year are. The point is, success is not just getting top grades. For some kids it means trying new things that are difficult for them (speaking up in class, learning a new language, trying a new sport/instrument). Other ideas to define success are turning in homework on time (without nagging), packing healthy lunches, maintaining friendships, or waking up on time/by themselves.

​Start the school year off right with the proper school supplies. Some schools will send a list of required items that you can buy on the local economy or order from Amazon. If not, here is a list that you can download

​Millpond Children’s Sleep Clinic founder, Mandy Gurney, says that in general, children need to get more sleep. Here is her guidance:
 

• 11 hours at age 5.
• 10 ½ hours at age 7.
• 10 hours at age 9.
• 9 ½ hours at age 11.
• 9 hours at age 14.

 
You can set a reminder alarm 45 minutes before bedtime to help kids remember to start winding down their day and get into bed.

​Older children may try to slink off with their phones or tablets, but research shows that teens who spend more time with their parents have higher self-esteem & self- confidence. Eat dinner together! Declare Friday nights (or Sunday afternoons) family game time or watch a movie together. Bribe kids to chat about current events with you by serving them dessert, lots of it.

I'm so excited to announce the kick-off of this year's Summer Reading Program for Foreign Service (FS) Kids! 

As a mom to three FS kids, I know how important it is to keep some cultural traditions going, even while living abroad. 

I loved participating in our library's summer reading program as a child and have thankfully passed on that enthusiasm to my kiddos as well. 

BUT... there are no programs like this overseas. 

So, I just created one. 

Now FS kids living outside of the U.S. can experience this famous American tradition! 

Read 8 books and get 1 Free! 

Join NOW to get your reading chart and age appropriate book suggestions! 

​No matter where you are in the world, you and your family are probably already making plans to celebrate Memorial Day. From BBQs to family time there are so many ways to spend the holiday.
 
There’s a good chance your post has some activities planned, such as participating in the National Moment of Remembrance. While the President or Vice President lay a wreath on soldiers' graves in Arlington National Cemetery each Memorial Day, he’ll also issue a Presidential Proclamation and Prayer for Peace at 3 p.m. local time. You can read the Prayer for Peace online with your children and then try out one of these Memorial Day crafts to get your kids in the patriotic spirit.

History of Memorial Day
 
Today, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May; it honors all the men and women who died while serving in the United States military. The holiday got its start in the years following the Civil War and was originally known as Decoration Day.
 
After the Civil War, which claimed an estimated 500,00 lives—more than any conflict in our nation’s history—Americans began holding springtime memorials for the fallen soldiers. Their tributes included decorating the graves of soldiers and reciting prayers.
 
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, called for a nationwide day of remembrance; this would later be known as Decoration Day. He declared, “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country.”
 
The first Decoration Day was celebrated with a speech from General James Garfield at Arlington National Cemetery. More than 5,000 people gathered and decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington.
 
By 1890, most Northern states had made Decoration Day, an official holiday. However, Southern states, honored their soldiers on different days. It wasn’t until after World War I that the United States moved from honoring just the soldiers of the Civil War to honoring the military personnel who died in all wars.
 
In 1968, nearly a century after the holiday was first introduced, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May, rather than May 30, giving federal employees a three-day weekend. You might even say that it also cemented the holiday as the unofficial start to summer, mixing the day of observance and reflection with lighthearted fun.
 
Memorial Day Craft Ideas
 
These crafts can be completed by kids of all ages but feel free to modify the steps to fit your child’s capabilities.
 
Patriotic Jar Candle
 
Your child can get creative with this craft! There are several ways to make this Memorial Day jar candle. They can paint on a design or roll it in embellishments to make it their own!
 
Supplies:

• Jars (mason jars or recycled glass jars will work)
• White glue, thinned with water
• Glass paint (acrylic or enamel)
• Paint brush
• Patriotic stickers, glitter, sequins, or confetti

 
Steps:

1. Clean and dry your jar
2. Use the paint to make a flag, stars, or other patriotic emblems
3. Or, coat the jar in glue, then roll it in the glitter, sequins, or confetti
4. Once the paint and/or glue is dry, you can finish the jars off with stickers
5. Place a battery-operated tea light “candle,” or string of lights inside

 
Red, White, and Blue Parfait

If you’re like a lot of families abroad (and even back home in the U.S.) then dinner is probably pretty chaotic. You’ve just finished cooking, your spouse still isn’t home from work, one kid is at a friend’s house, the other is grumbling about homework…it’s a challenge to get everyone to the dinner table at the same time to enjoy a meal together. 

When you pull your family away from their friends, electronics, toys, or even work, dinner can feel more like a chore than quality time together. 

The CRAZY DINNER changes all of that.

One of my dearest friends from our 2-year assignment to Moscow introduced me to CRAZY DINNERS and they've been a hit in our house ever since! 

We've discussed picky eaters and incorporating American history in your meal time, but this meal is all about FUN. It brings chaos to the dinner table in all the right ways.

You can have a Crazy Dinner with just your family, or invite another family over to take part in the silliness too. The more people, the more crazy.

All you need to make this happen is to empty out your kitchen, get a little creative, and be willing to look a little ridiculous. 

The first time we tried a Crazy Dinner at my house, my family thought I was crazy! But since then, I can’t even count how many times my kids have asked that we do it again. That’s the beauty of a Crazy Dinner—not only is it fun, but you can do it over and over again and it’ll never get old.

You’re probably wondering what the heck I’m talking about. I wrote out the full instructions and provided a few recipes to try out, so you can have your own Crazy Dinner with your family. Check it out by clicking the link below.

No matter how many times you’ve moved across the globe, a new post comes with its own unique challenges and excitement. You know that with every brand-new country, comes new adjustments.
 
Our saving grace from the anxiety of a new move, most of the time, comes from a CLO or sponsor. As we get more posts and countries under our belts, we might forget or take for granted just how awesome sponsors are, but think back to your very first time abroad, how much hand-holding and comforting did you need?
 
I’m hoping you’ve all been fortunate enough to have at least one amazing sponsor. Some of us have had not-so-stellar sponsors too, and boy, what a difference it makes! While some posts do offer sponsor guidelines, we know that going slightly above and beyond those makes for a great community sponsor. I tapped a few people in our foreign service community (and added my own experience) to find out some of the actions and special touches their sponsor took to make their transition to their new post a lot easier—that way if you get tapped to sponsor a family, you’ll know how to take your welcome to the next level.

First and foremost, as a community sponsor, your role is to make your sponsoree feel welcome at their new post. Not every family will have the same needs, but here are some general ideas and ways to help them out.
 
1. Answer all of your sponsoree’s questions—to the best of your ability and without any eyerolling.
A family on their first tour will have a ton of questions. Do they have shampoo there or should I pack my own? Will there be internet? How do I get around the city? Can I bring my cat? What are the best schooling options? (Don’t forget to give U.S. History Abroad a shout out with this question! Especially since your kids can study together and form their own relationships, making them feel more at home.) You may also encounter families who have been in the foreign service for decades, and only have logistical questions. Even if there’s nothing important to discuss, it’s helpful to talk with somebody already at post. Offer as many answers as you can either way, and do so with a smile.
 
2. Talk up your post.
You might be in a bustling city in China with faulty internet connections, a quaint town just outside a history city in Europe, or in the middle of Malawi, where your closes neighbors are a family of mosquitoes—it doesn’t matter, talk your post up. Yes, answer all your sponsoree’s questions honestly, but remember, they probably already have some reservations and anxiety about moving somewhere new. You’ve got to be their cheerleader and moral support. There’s a silver lining to every post; helping them find it before arrival will make them feel a little more at ease and excited for what’s ahead.
 
3. Have a meal ready upon your sponsoree’s arrival.
As you probably remember, after a day (or sometimes several days) of travel, all you want is a cozy bed and some warm food. A good sponsor knows that a hot meal can do wonders for welcoming a new family to post. When you’re talking to your sponsoree, find out if anyone in their family has food sensitivities or allergies. Here are three make-ahead, freezer-friend, pop-in-the-oven-and-done recipes to bring over.

• Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Mac n’ Cheese is such a comfort food! This recipe only requires five ingredients.
• Chicken in a Bucket – For the most part, the ingredients in this recipe can be swapped out for whatever you have available to you at post, and it’s both healthy and kid-friendly.
• Lasagna Rolls – This recipe is hearty, and very simple to put together. It can even be made vegetarian if need be.

 
4. Fill up their fridge.
The day before or morning of your sponsoree’s arrival hit up your local grocery store and fill up their fridge. Ask them for a grocery list and get as many of the items as possible, that way they don’t need to feel frantic because there’s nothing for breakfast and they have no clue where to shop.
 
5. Put together—and unpack—a “welcome kit.”
Typically, a welcome kit consists of household necessities like silverware, coffee maker, toaster, dishes, towels, and the like. When your sponsoree’s family gets to their new post, they’re already going to have to do a lot of unpacking, so help them out by putting away some of these items. Obviously, don’t open any packages without permission, but getting their home ready with these items will help them to settle in a lot quicker. If you know that cash is a necessity at your post, lend your sponsoree a few bills of the local currency, that way they’ll be able to get by for a few days before going to the embassy cashier.
 
6. Make their house a home. 
You can take unpacking the welcome kit a step further by setting up their home to make it cozy and inviting the minute they step in. Make their beds (find out what bed linen goes where beforehand), and leave a thoughtful gift like a candle or fresh flowers. Even something like making sure their internet is set up, will make them feel more at home.