International relocation can have a dramatic impact that can affect virtually every aspect of the expatriate family's life. In fact, international studies show that the the major reason for the failure of expatriate relocations for work assignments is the difficulty of family adjustment.

People relocate temporarily overseas (either short or long-term) for many reasons -- career opportunities, diplomatic service, charity work, cultural, educational and extended holidays -- but when children go along too, there are additional things to consider.

When families are relocating to the parents' country of origin, the transition may not be as difficult for the children as they will likely be familiar with the language and customs and there may also be extended family members to cushion the impact.

One of the most important things for families is the education of their children. Along with all the normal stresses of changing schools, there's the added dimension of a strange country where perhaps English is not the first language which can present challenges if the child is going to attend the local school.

There are a growing number of international schools in major centres around the world and the cost of this if often negotiated in the company’s expatriate package where the relocation is due to work.

Families with children in their final years of high school may want to consider arranging for them to stay in Australia with family or enrolling them in a boarding school, to avoid a potentially difficult transition and lower marks and assessments at a time when final exam results count for university entrance. In some cases this may lead the families to return home prematurely.

Where the relocation is in an isolated area or local schooling is inadequate, families may want to enrol in a Distance Learning program run by the education department of home state or territory. These programs are also suitable for families taking extended holidays overseas and who don't want their children to fall behind in their schooling.

Most major companies sending employees to work overseas will arrange many of the details, including providing information on suitable schools and extra-curricular activities e.g. local sport and cultural clubs. There are also relocation companies that specialise in taking care of a range of needs, including sourcing schools.

Parents can help prepare their children in advance for the relocation by learning as much as possible about the country they will be living in. Reading books and studying maps of the country and watching DVDs in the national language (if foreign) will assist them to become familiar. Contact with the country’s local embassy, consulate or high commission may be helpful in providing some information about the schooling systems.