Overseas Move Affects Youngsters Facing the Unknown

The number of Americans living abroad has been a big issue recently because of election issues. Should their votes be counted or not? Another issue about Americans abroad is the threat of terrorism. How can they be protected? The US Department of State website gives numerous links for what to do in various natural disasters. It is a scary world out there. How do children feel about all this when their parents sit them down and give them the 'talk--we are moving abroad?

(PRWEB) February 14, 2004 --When author Ben Voegele was a boy, his parents sat him and his brother down to tell them about their upcoming move....overseas. Were moving where?" he asked in disbelief and dread. Bens fear is common-- being uprooted and moved to unfamiliar places can be traumatic for children.

Born in Jerome, ID, (USA), Ben spent the majority of his youth living overseas with his family in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Through his own experiences, Ben learned to appreciate everything that came with living internationally. He is a 1993 graduate of Taipei American School (Taipei, Taiwan), and a graduate of Boise State University (Boise, ID). Ben currently lives in Salt Lake City, UT, where he teaches at an elementary school, and he coaches high school baseball. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, writing, athletics, and the outdoors.

When Ben moved overseas, he remembered how there was very little information directed towards children and adolescents moving abroad, especially written by someone who had lived the lifestyle. As an adult he figured his own experiences growing up internationally could help those in need of understanding what was ahead in an international move. He had some positive experiences growing up overseas and wanted to give something back to those about to begin the same journey. Living overseas is a huge acclimation for anyone, much less an adolescent. He wanted it to be known that while difficult and confusing at times, this is indeed a journey that can become a wonderful life changing experience.

Consequently, Ben wrote a book Were Moving Where? An Adolescents Guide to Overseas Living, published by American Book Publishing and available at a discount online at the Publisher Direct Bookstore. In it he takes the fear out of the unknown by addressing concerns candidly and providing numerous resources and recommendations --including region specific advice. Though there are many current concerns in international travel, Ben believes that the world is a good place waiting to be explored and offers suggestions and ideas on how to approach cultures and traditions different from ones own.