The Misunderstood blog has been very much on the backburner the last six months. I poured a lot of energy into it around the book’s release, which put me behind in my studies. I’ve been working hard to catch up and keep up – and 2017 has been jam-packed so far!

Attending the Families In Global Transition 2017 conference in The Hague (Netherlands) a few weeks ago reminded me that supporting TCKs and expatriate families is what I really care about, the field I want to work in. So despite the busyness of student life, I’m hoping to get into the expat headspace more often from here on out.

FIGT 2017 was an amazing three-day experience. It was my first time attending the conference, and I met a lot of incredible people with whom I had inspiring conversations. Some were people I had already “met” online – I had read their books and blogs, they had contributed to Misunderstood, or written reviews of it. I felt very lucky to have the opportunity to turn online connections into Real Life connections.

Best part of #FIGT17NL = meeting online connections in Real Life: @marilyngard @RDvanreken @JoParfitt @Linda_A_Janssen @JMuyselaar and more!

— Tanya Crossman (@TanyaTck) March 25, 2017

(I hung out on twitter a lot throughout the conference, reflecting on key moments as they occurred to me and to others in attendance.)

I was stunned to discover that some of the very authors I consider giants in my field (such as Ruth van Reken and Linda Janssen) were actively looking to meet me! One of several surreal moments was being asked to sign a copy of Misunderstood for Valerie Besanceney – an author I greatly respect and whose books I regularly recommend. There were also people at the conference I met for the first time and who turned out to have already bought and read my book, or had been hearing about it and bought a copy while at the conference. It was quite astonishing to me!

Also astonishing – my book selling out! Misunderstood was stocked in the conference bookstore, and the recommendation was to bring up to 10 copies. Those sold out in the first day, so I went through my suitcase and brought along the six copies I had with me – which sold out on the second day.

Beyond the Misunderstood connections, FIGT was a wonderfully enriching experience. I had the privilege of listening to a range of researchers discuss fascinating research they are conducting regarding various issues connected to expatriate life.

Fascinating discussion on expat research – methodologies & more #FIGT17NL @AlixCarnot @katia_mace @erinsinogba @AldelinaLijadi @Storrescosta

— Tanya Crossman (@TanyaTck) March 24, 2017

Excited by great new research on TCKs, incl intl schooling. Esp interested hearing about Filipino TCK identity. #FIGT17NL @crossingculture pic.twitter.com/ifGcmLVWPX

— Tanya Crossman (@TanyaTck) March 23, 2017

I was so encouraged by the work of SPAN to build networks of international schools who actively work to smooth transitions for students as their families move – to create safe passage. (Safe Passage is, not-so-coincidentally, the title of another book I regularly recommend, by another author I was delighted to meet in person – Doug Ota).

Really touched hearing from so many with deep care/concern for students transitioning globally #FIGT17NL @crossingculture @SPAN_schools

— Tanya Crossman (@TanyaTck) March 25, 2017

I had conversations which strengthened my convictions as to the importance of my work with TCKs and expat families, and conversations with prompted me to think further and in new directions. I listened to thoughtful talks unpacking different aspects of expat life – sometimes affirming things I have experienced and believe, other times challenging me to consider a new point of view.

Big takeaway from Anne Copeland’s keynote – positive integration of childhood difference helps adult expats. #FIGT17NL @crossingculture https://t.co/EbkBaT8bkC

— Tanya Crossman (@TanyaTck) March 24, 2017

There were three ideas which impacted me most deeply – which inspired me to think in new or deeper ways. The first was expat empty nesters; the second was dual careers for expat spouses; the third was the experience of being a twenty-something TCK. I’m still processing the things I heard and learned and the new ideas that have sprung from my time at FIGT, but I hope to write a little more about these things as I continue to reflect.

Many thanks for stories/insights on parenting ATCKs/being empty nesters! @JoParfitt @RDvanreken @seachangementor @RebeccaGrappo #FIGT17NL

— Tanya Crossman (@TanyaTck) March 23, 2017

There are a lot of ATCKs who wrestle with the difficult risk of committing, staying, and sticking. It’s worth it! #FIGT17NL @crossingculture https://t.co/wc5EWbNKnE

— Tanya Crossman (@TanyaTck) March 25, 2017

Right now I’m still in Europe, and over the next week I’ll have two opportunities to meet and share with groups of expat parents. I’ll be sharing with them some of what I’ve learned in 12 years spent working with TCKs, some stats and stories from Misunderstood, and taking time to listen to their stories and talk through their questions. I am really looking forward to both times.

After that I’ll be headed back to Sydney – and a pile of study to catch up on! But hopefully I won’t be quite so silent here anymore.