Moving schools from Europe to Southern Africa

[jkklpu]

Any tips for story books to help children who are changing schools and continents? Mine will be in a few months, moving from a British/international school in Southern Europe to an American school in sub-Saharan Africa in the middle of a term. They're boys, 8 and 6, if that makes any difference. Thanks a lot.

bump

Don't know of any specific books, but there is a book about a boy who moves country etc, think his name may be Mike - I'll look it up for you.

Where are you moving to? I'm in Botswana, have sons 7 & 5. Used to live in Zambia & still have friends there & quite a few dotted across Africa - pm me & I'll try to put you in touch if I can.

No books to recommend, just joining the African thread! I'm sure the school will be used to accommodating new joiners. If you do find a book I'd love to hear about it though.

ZamMummy your friend of a friend is coming to my DD's birthday party on Friday... it's a small world I guess!

From experience of swapping between a British school and an American international school, I'd suggest getting your DCs used to some of the different language (there is a surprising amount) that the school will use - recess, restroom, sneakers, eraser (and definitely not rubber!) etc etc. We found that the swap from an English curriculum to an IB / American one made for an easy few years academically, as the American school had children working at least a year behind.

I have yet to find a book that deals with this issue. If, however, you just want a gentle and lovely introduction to sub-Saharan Africa, Alexander McCall Smith's "Precious and the...." series is very nice (for my DCs, moving from a Western European country to the developing world gave rise to far more issues and questions than swapping school systems did).

I like the Anna Hibiscus books, although set in west Africa rather than sub-Saharan Africa.

Thanks all of you

Found the book, it's called The Mission of Detective Mike & it's available on Amazon as paperback or Kindle here: www.amazon.co.uk/The-Mission-Detective-Mike-understand/dp/1904881203. It gets good reviews in the expat sphere.
(sorry can't link properly on tablet, while bf)

Just found another kids book that might be of interest - haven't seen any reviews or read it myself though. It's called Elephants At The Airport, about a (Canadian?) girl who moves to Zimbabwe. On Amazon in paperback & Kindle.

No specific advice but I was living in Zimbabwe in 2012 and it was incredible. So many adventures to be had. Enjoy your move.

It's so amazing to have others in Africa, if you're in Uganda do say hi!

Best of luck with the move, I am sure they will be absolutely fine.

I think all American/international schools are different, Bobbles. DD2 has gone from 4 years at an American international school back into the UK curriculum. She's at a selective school, in the top set for everything, and to be frank, coasting at maths, French and Spanish. So not necessarily operating a year or so behind.

Thanks for all the extra info - sorry, hadn't checked in for a while. Will order that Zimbabwe book right now. Am sure I'll be back to ask for advice for trips across the many borders.

Hope it helps! Donget in touch directly/PM me again if you need any more info.

do get