Moving to Tanzania

How to relocate easily with a family

Not only has she relocated her family of five several times from Southeast Asia to America, from Germany to Tanzania. Christine Schuppener has made “transition coaching” her profession. For our series “With kids in Zanzibar”, she has some surprising practical and psychological tips for the big move.

Since 1993 I have worked in international cooperation. Together with my family, I have lived in Southeast Asia, England and in North and Middle America. Relocating to Tanzania offers not only an adventure, but also a chance for deep personal development for the whole family. Parents can foster growth by viewing the move as a shared journey. Encourage your child to approach change with curiosity — exploring the new environment with its vibrant culture and languages, strengthens adaptability and resilience.

Curious parents – curious kids!

As parents, your role is vital. Model openness to new experiences, whether by learning Swahili phrases together, getting to know the new neighbourhood or by tasting different kinds of fruit and vegetables. A growth mindset from you will inspire the same in your child.

Weekly family check-ins

Use the transition to build family bonds. Weekly family check-ins can help everyone share their feelings and celebrate milestones — big or small. Acknowledge your own emotions, too.

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times. Seeking support from local expat communities or Tanzanian friends can ease the adjustment. This journey, while challenging, equips your family with invaluable life skills: adaptability, empathy, and a global perspective.

Finding creative ways is a life motto for me. Even small changes can have a big impact.

Here are some practical ideas for the family to share:

• Take a large jar of glass and put it in a place that is easily accessible for all family members. Place some paper and pencils next to it. Everyone in the family can now write down what he or she has discovered or learned. You can collect the notes in the jar and once a week, the jar is emptied and everyone can marvel at how much they have already learned. Smaller children can draw their discoveries.
• With teenagers, you can create an album with photos of unusual things, particularly beautiful experiences or funny things they have discovered. Everyone can create this on their cell phone. You can perhaps look at this picture gallery together on a cosy Saturday evening. Maybe you would also like to award a prize for the most unusual or funniest picture.
• Word salad. How many new words in Swahili can each family member say in a row? Can you speed up the pace? Be sure to get involved as parents, too. It’s much more fun to discover together how your own perspective changes. Laughing together is one of the best ways to combat stress!