Making It Real
Moving overseas with a husband as a trailing spouse can be quite difficult. The move will take its toll on both of you. It is critical that your husband feel appreciated for who he is and what he’s doing for the both of you and your relationship. Be patient, kind, sensitive, appreciative, and don’t focus solely on yourself and your issues at the office because he’s probably experienced some highs and lows in his day as well. You may not feel they are as big or important as yours, but they are because they’re his. Make sure you keep the communication open and honest and enjoy the adventure. You’ll both be better off for the experience! —Diane, DuPont (more…)
Second, your husband’s career is an extremely important consideration because in many countries, a trailing spouse cannot legally work. If he can, it’s great because he will integrate much faster. If not, nonworking spouses are faced with the task of composing a life from scratch—a challenge for which many men are not prepared. It is a brave man who agrees to face the sometimes severe social stigma of being one of the few ”house husbands” in various cities around the world. (more…)
If you choose to go abroad and you are married, you will have a partner to share the ups and downs, someone to laugh with over the dumb and unavoidable cross-cultural mistakes you will make, and someone to cry with when the environment seems hostile and you want to give up. All the married women who have moved overseas give one critical piece of advice: go only if your marriage is solid, with good communication and mutual respect, because it will be tested, stretched, and strained. (more…)
