About Edufax
Edufax specialises in educational guidance for internationally mobile families. Since 1992, the organisation has helped expat families, relocating households and global mobility teams with school advice, admissions guidance, curriculum comparison, transition support and language continuity across multiple languages. Edufax also offers flexible language programmes that help children maintain their mother tongue while living abroad. As an educational partner of De Gruijter & Co, Edufax brings education and language planning into the relocation process from the start.
Website: https://www.edufax.net
Moving abroad with children: what really matters
For children, moving abroad is more than a new address. It means a new school, new friends, new routines and often a new language.
For parents, that often means making important education decisions early, while also helping their child adjust to an unfamiliar environment.
For expat families and global mobility teams, education is one of the most important parts of a successful relocation. The choices made before departure can shape how well children settle in and how confidently families move forward.
School choice, language learning and long-term planning are often treated as secondary concerns, even though they strongly influence a child’s experience after the move.
A practical checklist for families
- school availability in the destination region
- curriculum fit with your child’s background and future plans
- language support at school and at home
- expected length of stay
- possible future moves and how easily your child can switch later
Education: a defining choice in any relocation
One of the first major decisions relocating families face is education.
When relocating to any country, the main options are often similar: international schools or local schools. While this may seem like a straightforward choice, in practice it rarely is.
The right decision depends on more than just preference. Factors such as the child’s age, timing of the move, expected length of stay and future plans all play a role. What works well in the short term is not always the most suitable option later on.
In practice, this decision goes beyond convenience. It influences:
- how easily children build social connections
- how quickly they adapt to their surroundings
- Potential restrictions at the destination
- and how flexible future transitions will be
In general:
- International schools offer continuity and familiarity, especially for families who move frequently or stay for a limited period
- Local schools support faster language development and deeper integration into the host country
- Distance learning can provide flexibility during transitions, but is not always recognised everywhere
Using the Netherlands as an example, availability can also play a role. In some regions, high demand may limit options or require early planning when selecting a school.
Because each option comes with different implications over time, families need to look beyond the immediate transition and consider what will best support their child in the longer term.
Language: key to feeling at home
Regardless of the destination country, language plays a central role in how children connect, learn, and feel at home.
Learning the local language helps children:
- build friendships
- participate fully in school life
- understand cultural and social norms
At the same time, maintaining the mother tongue is equally important.
Families often notice that when the native language receives less attention, children:
- lose confidence in communication with family
- struggle to express emotions fully
- experience a growing distance from their cultural background
From an educational perspective, a strong foundation in the first language supports overall language development and learning ability — something that becomes even more important in an international context.
The transition: more than adapting to a new school
Moving countries requires children to let go of familiar routines while adapting to new expectations.
Families who navigate this transition successfully often focus on a few key elements:
A sense of stability
Maintaining routines helps create predictability in a changing environment.
Active support in language development
Both the new language and the native language benefit from consistent attention.
Involvement in the process
Children who are included in decisions and conversations tend to adapt more easily.
Building new connections
School, activities, and local communities play a crucial role in creating a sense of belonging.
A shared responsibility in global mobility
An international relocation is not only a logistical process, but also a human one.
De Gruijter & Co guides families through the practical side of moving, from housing to administrative processes. Edufax focuses on education: helping families compare school options, understand curricula, navigate admissions and keep children learning in their home language through flexible distance education.
Together, these roles address both sides of international mobility: the practical reality of relocating and the personal experience of settling into a new environment.
If families plan education early, children are more likely to settle well, overcome foreseeable obstacles and stay on track.
Continuity in education and language, wherever life takes you
Looking for clear guidance on schooling during an international move? Edufax helps families compare options, navigate admissions and make informed choices that support children before, during and after relocation.