“We left our home in Oslo for the first time ever with two teenagers, so I can’t say it was plain sailing!” says expat partner Linda Lintunen. “But we’re all very happy in Geneva now.”
Resisting change
“For the first six months, my daughter Emma (now 15) was not happy with us at all. Henrik (now 17) was more relaxed about the relocation but when you take a pair of teens away from everything they know, all of their friends and familiarity, you have to expect some resistance!” says Linda, a former project manager in the Health Services.
Better to dig in
“We could have easily flown back to Oslo for a visit to ease the kids’ homesickness but my husband and I decided to wait for at least six months,” says Linda. “The head of Emma’s year group at school told us, with the wisdom of a trained psychologist, that it might take about half a year for her to settle in. So we dug in!”
Out and about
“As an expat family, I feel you have to put yourselves out there when you relocate. Say yes to invitations, attend events, invite people for dinner, whatever you like, but you can’t sit at home and wait for someone to knock on the door. We also always have an ‘open house’ and encourage the kids to bring their friends over, which in turn, I think, has helped them to feel at home.”
A complete 180
“Interestingly, both Emma and Henrik still keep in close contact with their friends in Oslo, even after 18 months – perhaps that continuity helps them too?” says Linda. “For Emma it’s been a complete 180. She is very global in her outlook now. Recently she told us that she would like to study abroad in the future. Henrik seems to be more interested in going to university in Oslo.”
Hitting the slopes
“For now, we’re just enjoying life in Geneva. It’s a great city with lots of cultural events. As we’re Norwegian, we were born with skis on our feet, so we’ve been skiing regularly through the winter,” says Linda, who is currently studying French and considering taking on a volunteering position. “Regarding my own adjustment, I spoke to a coach about the importance of structuring my days and outlining my priorities. I drew so much positive energy from the conversations, which not only motivated me but also reassured me that I’m not the only expat partner experiencing change.”
Photo: Linda and her family
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