For many Malaysian parents, moving abroad is a leap of faith. It is not simply a day trip to the next town, but a life-changing transition for you and your kids.
Whether driven by career prospects, education, or safety, the decision often centres on giving children a better future. Even if it means uprooting them from everything they’ve grown up knowing.
But while the benefits are real, so are the challenges—especially when it comes to preserving cultural identity.
If you are thinking of moving overseas with your family to start a new life in foreign lands, here’s what you need to know about how this will affect your children.
Why Parents Make the Move Overseas
Families relocate internationally for a multitude of reasons. Some seek better job prospects, many are even presented with a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity.
Other families move abroad for a higher quality of life, perhaps in the pursuit of a kinder economy and lower cost of living.
Safety and political stability also play a role, particularly for those concerned about systemic issues at home.
But there are also many families who move purely for the sake of their children.
Depending on personal preference, many families believe that local education does not suffice for the future they see for their kids. Especially in a job market that is growing more competitive day by day.
Others want their children to access international education systems that promote critical thinking and holistic development. It’s also about giving their children a global edge—language skills, cultural fluency, and broader horizons.
Whatever the case may be, there are always valid reasons for families to move abroad with their kids, and it is never a frivolous decision.
The Hidden Costs of Moving Abroad
Yet, raising children abroad isn’t without its difficulties. But the ‘hidden costs’ are seldom only financial in nature. In fact, families who can afford to travel abroad are usually ones that are well-off.
The price families pay for leaving their homeland is much more expensive in some cases. You do not just leave behind your culture, your heritage, you also leave behind your support system.
One of the biggest losses is the absence of extended family. In Malaysia, grandparents, aunts, and uncles often play a vital role in childcare and cultural transmission. Abroad, this support system is harder to replicate.
Studies show that children of expatriates may also struggle with identity, especially if they’ve been uprooted much later in childhood. They can feel caught between cultures—Malaysian at home, but something else at school.
Homesickness, language barriers, and the pressure to fit in can weigh heavily, especially during adolescence.
Frequent relocations can disrupt friendships and hobbies. One adult, reflecting on her childhood of constant moves, recalled how hard it was to build lasting relationships or stick with activities
The most important advice to keep in mind as soon as you make the move, is to look for communities in your area. The small ‘village’ of Malaysian communities who have also made their new home there.
Our planet has become so interconnected in recent years that it is not so impossible to find a local Mamak store in London, or roti canai in the sunny streets of Australia. There is where you may just meet the people who will help you (and your kids) stay true to your roots.
How Children Fare in Foreign Lands
There will be different pros and cons depending on how young your child is when you decide to make the move.
Newborns and babies tend to fare better, since they have no attachments to the culture and the people of their homeland.
However, they may be more disconnected from their roots as they grow.
As their parents, you would need to regularly enforce your traditions and customs in order to expose your kids to their culture.
Toddlers stand somewhere in the middle. They have a basic background of their culture and may have picked up quite a bit of their mother tongue.
They may have also made friends back home in kindergarten or preschool.
However, being very young, still, they have a greater chance at adapting to their new home than a much older child. They may have difficulty at first, but will quickly learn to adapt.
Which brings us to the preteen or even the teenager. These are the age groups that will have the hardest time acclimating to an international move.
Older children would have absorbed their birth culture more deeply and will definitely struggle leaving behind their family and friends back home.
Moving Abroad: Helping Your Kids Adapt
So, how can Malaysian parents help their children stay connected to their roots?
It starts at home. Celebrate Malaysian festivals—Hari Raya, Deepavali, Chinese New Year—with food, music, and stories.
Speak your mother tongue regularly. Share family traditions and values.
Technology can bridge the distance. Video calls with grandparents, virtual celebrations, and sharing photos help maintain bonds with family back home.
Encourage children to explore their heritage. Cook traditional dishes together. Watch Malaysian films. Read books by local authors. These small acts reinforce identity and pride.
At the same time, embrace the host culture. Let your children learn the local language. Participate in community events. This dual exposure fosters empathy and global awareness.
Growing Roots in Foreign Soil
Raising children abroad offers immense opportunities.
But it also requires intentional effort to preserve cultural identity.
By blending the best of both worlds, Malaysian parents can help their children grow into confident, culturally grounded global citizens.
The journey isn’t always easy. But with love, patience, and a strong sense of purpose, it can be deeply rewarding—for both parents and children.
But remember, we all still carry the roots of our motherland, no matter where we end up. Your children will be no different.
As long as they have you to remind them of where they come from, those roots will continue to grow and remember the home that will always await their return.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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