International relocation can be stressful, and the move to a new job, a new city and a new school, is always a challenge. International schools by nature understand the issues surrounding relocation, whether this is concerning the school families, students and community, or their internationally mobile staff.

Support through relocation

As a member of the international school community, I understand how critical it is for schools to provide transitional support for members of staff. This support not only benefits the individual on a personal and professional level, but also the school itself - its students, staff and faculty members.I moved to the UK last summer, relocating from Canada, to start as a College Counsellor at ACS Hillingdon International School. This was my second experience of international recruitment and relocation – I moved to Toronto from France for a role at an international school as a University Counsellor. At that particular school there was little relocation support or resources and although I settled in well, it took some time to get used to the various different systems and processes.My recruitment and relocation experience at ACS Hillingdon has been entirely different. I applied directly to the school and as I progressed, the recruitment process made me confident that the school was right for me. I had four interviews in a week, including various Skype calls, which gave me a comprehensive overview of the school and the staff.Within the sphere of international recruitment, Skype interviews can provide a valuable insight into a workplace. I signed my contract without visiting ACS Hillingdon because I had gained a true impression of the school’s ethos from both Skype and the website videos – this is helpful when you’re currently living over 3,000 miles away.

Staying organised

When it came to the relocation process, the ACS team helped me feel fully prepared. I moved to London with my family, including two small children, so the journey itself is a challenge, let alone arranging housing details, organising a bank account and arriving in a new and big city. Before we left Toronto, ACS had partnered us with their Housing Officer at ACS Hillingdon, who helped to organise everything – from setting up a UK bank account before we arrived, to talking us through the neighbourhood options in London and the UK tax systems. This support meant that all of our questions were answered before we arrived and there was somebody on hand to talk to both before and after the move.

A warm welcome

I have been made to feel very welcome by all of the staff at ACS Hillingdon. As international educators, many of us have a shared experience of the relocation process so understand how best to support new members of staff who have arrive here.The approach to relocation is important at an international school. Teachers are expected to hit the ground running and after moving to a new place, this can be overwhelming. At ACS, I felt fully supported in my relocation experience, so I was able to focus completely on the job and fulfil the needs of students and parents from when I first started my role.

ACS International Schools - Relocate Award Sponsor

Relocate Global is delighted to welcome ACS International Schools as this year's sponsor of the 2016 Relocate Award for Excellence in Employee & Family Support.