Book Recommendation: Expat Teens Talk BY KRISTEN OLOSKY

Expat Teens Talk was recently reviewed by Kristen Olosky, Editor of "YOUNG & GLOBAL MAGAZINE," an online magazine for expats.Thank you Kristen!! Expat Teens Talk recommends all readers to have a look at YOUNG & GLOBAL MAGAZINE, a new and exciting read for all expats and individuals interested in learning more about the world around us. Diana and Lisa

Every year, around the world, tens of thousands of teenagers say goodbye to friends, schools, and the cultures they know when their families relocate to new countries. These teens aren’t immigrants – their families aren’t seeking citizenship in new locations – they’re the children of military and government personnel, diplomats, and professionals working abroad. They’re expat teens.

Relocating to a new country and culture (and eventually returning home) presents challenges and opportunities for every expatriate, regardless of age. But for those who take on this experience as they navigate the choppy waters of adolescence, the effects of a transient cross-cultural lifestyle are uniquely super-charged.

Expat Teens Talk, by Dr. Lisa Pittman and Diana Smit, is written specifically for internationally mobile teens, and it’s a value-packed gem.

The book is designed as a “dip in, dip out” resource, which doesn’t have to be read cover to cover. Each section begins with a short, personal statement, submitted to the authors by one of the many expat teens they consulted in their work, describing a particular problem or concern. The personal statements are followed by unvarnished advice and solutions proposed by peers, parents, and professionals. The resulting blend of perspectives is well balanced and thought provoking.

Some issues discussed in the book – such as bullying, peer pressure, academic concerns, and rocky parental communications – are universal worries of teenagers, although they’re tackled from the particular perspective of teens growing up outside their home countries and without an extended family support system.

Other issues are unique to expats: moving to an unknown culture, lacking the normal concept of ‘home’, and the challenges of ‘going local’ when it’s eventually time to return to their own country. These are the sections where Expat Teens Talk really shines as a specialized and valuable resource.

One word of caution, however.  While the authors define expat teens as being 12-18 years old, some issues in this book are more relevant to older teens, and might be handled a bit too candidly for the middle school set.

Expat Teens Talk, by Dr. Lisa Pittman and Diana Smit, 2012, is available at:

The author was not financially compensated in any way for this review, and the opinions expressed are her own. This post does contain an affiliate link, and Young & Global Magazine will receive an extraordinarily small bit of compensation if you purchase the book through the link, for which we thank you!