Families in Global Transition (FIGT)
entry by Julie M. Marx, Global Family Expert at Expat Valley
Families in Global Transition is the primary international professional forum and community for individuals, families, and practitioners engaged in globally mobile life. Founded in 1998 by Ruth Van Reken and colleagues, FIGT brings together researchers, educators, counselors, coaches, HR and global mobility professionals, and internationally mobile families in an annual conference and year-round community. FIGT is widely regarded as the field’s most important cross-sector convening body and the primary venue for practitioners to share research, develop best practices, and build professional community around the international living experience.
Comparable terms
Worldwide ERC (the parallel professional body for HR and global mobility industry professionals; more organizationally focused than FIGT) · SIETAR (Society for Intercultural Education Training and Research — the intercultural training professional body; related but distinct focus) · ECIS (European Council of International Schools — the education-sector equivalent for international school professionals)
Why this matters
FIGT is where many key ideas, tools, and professional networks in this field have been shaped. It connects HR, educators, therapists, coaches, and families around shared concerns. Knowing it exists gives both practitioners and families a professional “home base.”
Cross-references
TCK (Identity & Belonging); Global Mobility Specialist (Professional Support Roles); Intercultural Trainer (Professional Support Roles); SIETAR (Professional Support Roles); ATCK (Identity & Belonging). SIETAR is the intercultural training professional body most closely allied to FIGT’s constituency, and the two organizations share significant practitioner overlap — particularly among intercultural coaches and trainers who work with internationally mobile families. The ATCK entry is directly relevant because FIGT’s founding community included many ATCKs, and the organization continues to serve both the research and the lived experience dimensions of the adult TCK population.
Sources
Families in Global Transition (FIGT) was founded following a discussion at Ruth Van Reken’s kitchen table in 1997, with the first conference held in 1998; it has since grown into an annual three-day event bringing together participants from across cultures and sectors including corporate, small business, international schools, relocation, diplomacy, nonprofit, academia, media, and the arts.
FIGT describes itself as a welcoming forum for globally mobile individuals, families, and those working with them, promoting cross-sector connections for sharing research and developing best practices that support the growth, success, and wellbeing of people crossing cultures around the world.
Superdiversity: How International Children Become Bridge Builders in a Fragmented World
In today’s globally mobile world, some families find themselves navigating a social reality far richer and more complex than anything they have imagined. Their children attend international schools or integrate into local systems, learning to switch languages mid-sentence and pick up subtle cues from cultures that aren't their own. These...
Read more10 Questions to Ask While Exploring a Global Move
“Could Singapore be our next home?” Kenji Moriyama looks out the window of their Munich apartment, watching the autumn leaves flutter outside. He and Anna have been back and forth with the offer from Kenji’s company, relocating to Singapore for a three- to five-year assignment. It’s exciting, promising, and also...Read moreWhat No One Tells You About Repatriation
When the Kim family landed in South Korea after six years in the Netherlands, they expected the transition to feel smooth. They had planned well, prepared their children, and returned to the same neighborhood where Jiho grew up. Relatives welcomed them with open arms. The move was, in many ways,...Read more“I Want to Leave:” When the Honeymoon Ends and Culture Shock Sets In
When the Rivera Family moved from Costa Rica to the UAE in July, they knew there would be an adjustment period. The heat hit them like a wall the moment they stepped off the plane, and the first few weeks were filled with confusion and trial-and-error. Grocery store aisles were...Read moreWhat Type of Global Parent Are You?
Picture this: You’ve just picked up your child from their new international school. They slam the car door, toss their backpack to the floor, and mutter “I hate it here.” When you ask what happened, they shrug and stare out the window. After a long pause, they add, “No one...Read moreBehind the Smiles: The Hidden Struggles of Global Kids Facing Bullying
Kento, an eleven-year-old from Tokyo, had always been cheerful and adaptable. Four months ago, when his family relocated to the UK for his father’s job, he was curious and hopeful about making new friends at his international school. However, over the last few weeks, his demeanor shifted. He stopped talking...Read moreBeyond the Checklist: Redefining Global Mobility Success Through the Family Relocation Experience
In today's dynamic global talent landscape, international assignments are more critical than ever. Boards increasingly identify business disruption caused by skills shortages as a top workforce risk to growth, with 81% citing it as a concern. CEOs are actively expanding global footprints, driven by goals such as building new products...Read moreWhen Moving Backwards Is Part of Moving Forward: Understanding Developmental Regression in Global Transition
Six-year-old Lucas had been dry at night for nearly three years. His parents had stopped worrying about bedwetting long ago—until recently. As their international move from Switzerland to Canada crept closer, Lucas started having nighttime accidents again. At first, his parents chalked it up to too much juice before bed,...Read moreFostering Happy Families and Successful Relocations with the Children’s Assignment Letter
As HR/Global Mobility/Relocation Professionals, you know that successful international assignments hinge on more than just the employee's willingness to relocate. Family concerns are a leading cause of assignment rejection and failure, impacting your company's bottom line and your employee's well-being. But what if there was a way to proactively...Read moreHolidays Abroad: Balancing Heartache and Adventure in a New Culture
The holidays were fast approaching. The Sørensen family had moved to Singapore in the middle of summer, but the continued humid air and glowing city lights felt incredibly odd as months went by. While they had started settling into their new lives, they were regularly reminded of how far removed...Read more« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »