Transition is a familiar friend to most ELIC teachers. It comes with its challenges, of course, but the range of experience that comes with it is unbeatable. Even the process of transition itself is valuable—an exercise in discernment and intention that brings families and supportive communities together.
Ben's family has been living overseas with ELIC for eleven years, eight in China and the past three in Tunisia. They now work as Member Care Specialists, providing support for teachers around the Middle East and North Africa. When I asked about their experience, anticipating and navigating transitions came up again and again.
Ben and his wife, Kate, moved to China with their daughter in 2014.
When we moved to East Asia, our daughter had finished 7th grade and was 13 years old. As we were discerning our move, we included her in every conversation and gave her veto power early on in the process…When we arrived, we were all equally committed to living overseas and were excited about [how each of us would grow]. Our experience raising our daughter (now 24) was more than we could have ever asked or imagined. Not that it was always exciting and/or easy.
After eight years in Asia, I was curious to know what drew them to Tunisia. With such a different culture and language, it had to be something specific. But I was surprised by the inevitability of the move from his perspective.
I had a dream that we lived in the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region 15 years before we moved to East Asia. After 3-4 years in China, we started sensing that, eventually, we would transfer to the MENA region. During COVID, we began… inviting trusted friends and organizational leaders to discern with us. So essentially, [we were drawn] to Tunisia. I would also say that retrospectively, we sensed (and still do) that…something special [is happening] in this part of the world.
That kind of clarity isn’t always a part of these big decisions, but many of our teachers talk about a similar sense of being where they are supposed to be when they move to a new country. Ben and Kate feel at home, not just in Tunisia, but in the transitions themselves.
Transitioning so often to different countries, cultures, beds, languages, and environments has become normal. Because of our role, we travel quite often. For example, this fall we will have visited and worked in six different countries. Somehow, this feels very normal.
And in some cases, the places they’ve lived don’t feel so far from their roots anyway. Ben was surprised to find that the village near his home in China is a lot like the small town in Colorado where he grew up!
Wherever they go, though, Ben and Kate are intentional in focusing on the thing that really makes a place feel like home: community.
We try to be consistent in where we shop, get haircuts, and other life routines. This has created a high level of regular interactions with the same people, naturally leading to developing relationships. Teaching at our language center provides an opportunity to meet interesting people from a variety of professions.
In their current phase of life, Ben said that the most difficult part changes over time.
Recently, it has been missing home because of the death of an important family member and just missing family during the holidays. Other times the challenges have been realities more tied to life here, like random shortages of staples like milk, butter, flour, and sugar.
The most rewarding part, however, is constant.
Because of our role, which is focused on supporting, encouraging, and caring for people living and working overseas, the most rewarding aspect is seeing people grow in character, resilience, commitment, and effectiveness.
As Ben has experienced all the challenges and rewards of a life on the move, he has come away with one thought to describe it all:
The perspectives gained, beauty beheld, and sacrifices necessary for living and working overseas are totally worth it!
