FAUSA

FAWCO Alumnae USA, Inc.

FAUSA Headquarters:
2811 Gregory Drive South
Billings, MT  59102

Repatriation ("Repat") Resources

After living abroad you have now returned home. For many of you, repatriation is more difficult than you expected or were told to expect. Family and friends who have not experienced the wider horizon of living and traveling experiences you had cannot connect or understand the life you led or how it changed you. You are different, and they have difficulty with that ... and you. Many may not even want to talk to you about your experiences or travel.

Because of where you lived abroad, you and your children may now be fluent in another language. Some of you, after having been away for an extended period of time, have returned to the problem of aging parents. Some of you may have worked abroad and now have problems fitting back into your workplace, job, or both. Some of you retired when you returned and wonder what to do with your life now.

Your fellow FAUSA members have written and gathered together articles and compiled resources to help you cope with the reverse culture shock you now face. Just realize you are not alone. We have all been through what you are dealing with, and want to help you in any way we can. Just tell us how we can be of service.

Issues You May Be Facing

In the Repatriation Advice article we've provided provides valuable information for anyone returning to the USA after an overseas assignment. The information provided on Repatriation Advice was written by Pam Perraud.

Pam Perraud is an international human resource professional and had her own cross-cultural training company, Global Transitions.  She has lived in Holland, England, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland, and France. She is the NGO Director for FAWCO and Representative for FAWCO at the UN in New York and Geneva.

Special Issues You May Be Facing

Volunteering Back Home

Have you returned to the US and are looking for ways to volunteer? The Internet can help you find volunteer opportunities in your area. At Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch.org) and Serve Net (www.servenet.org) type in your zip code and a list of local volunteer opportunities will appear. Oprah Winfrey has a list of the charities seen on her show (www.oprah.com).

Assisting Aging Parents

Laura Larsen's book, Facing the Final Mystery: A Guide to Discussing End-of-Life Issues, and her website (www.lauralarsen.com), are helpful guides for dealing with aging parents and their various issues.

Information for Senior Americans

AARP (www.aarp.com) – The American Association of Retired People (AARP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization Americans over 50. Their website includes information on Medicare, prescriptions, healthy living, care giving, retirement and more.

The U.S. government has several departments concerned with aging. A good place to start is with FirstGov.gov (www.FirstGov.gov) which has links to all federal government sites and information on how they pertain to the elderly. Other departments include the U.S. Administration on Aging (www.aoa.gov) which has Medicare updates and other information, and the National Institute on Aging (www.nia.nih.gov). State governments also have departments focused on aging, so check your state website.

Do you have information to share?

If you are interested in helping provide information to returning expatriates, please contact our Repatriation Coordinator (repat@fausa.org ).

Need a friend who's been there?

You already have friends back home with FAUSA! Contact the REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE for the area you're moving to. If you are moving to an area that is not represented, then contact the VP of Regional Representatives for information on others in your area.

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