What Others Are Saying

Families in Global Transition conferences spark attendance of individuals and organizations from China, Argentina, Japan, Trinidad, Portugal, Peru, Nigeria, Norway, Uruguay, France, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Brazil, Bolivia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Germany, Spain, Australia and the United States. Below is a sampling of the comments from our past conferences.

Click the links below to be taken directly to comments from specific group types.

Corporate Sector
Military Sector
Mission Sector
Education
Foreign Service
Service Providers
Expatriates/Repatriates

Corporate Sector

"I wanted to thank you for a great conference. From the shipshape organization to the breadth of presentations to the warm welcome...I haven't enjoyed a conference like that in years. And it was very good for us to make the connections we made."
Patricia A O'Hare
President, Nicholas Brealey Publishing North America
Publisher, Intercultural Press

"I strongly encourage my colleagues in the corporate sector to attend this conference. The participation by all sectors (military, missionary, diplomatic, and corporate) and the active involvement of expatriate spouses and families makes the FIGT conference a refreshing, unique, and enlightening experience for all who attend. This is also an opportunity to send some of your expatriate spouses. They will benefit and you will benefit from them attending."
Paul R. White,
Director, Human Resources and Administration
Harvest Natural Resources

"Every company in America which hires foreign nationals, or sends their workers on overseas assignment, should have a representative attend the FIGT conference in order to go back to work and spread the message that these workers deserve better than we've been treating them. It's not just about relocation and job issues -- it's the family issues that so often make overseas assignments fail. And besides the financial cost to the company, which is astronomical, there's the much more important issue of the human cost to our workers, their spouses, and their children. FIGT is a great place to learn about these issues, and to learn how to make better decisions in terms of how to cost-effectively support these MVPs as we send or support them on their overseas tours of duty.... And as a former expatriate myself, I've consistently found that this is a great place to find �kindred spirits� who can put vocabulary on your experience, and help you make sense of it. It's one of the few places that global nomads can call 'home'."
Scott Richardson, Training Manager
Endress+Hauser, Inc. USA

"As a corporate relocation professional I find FIGT is the only place to get the real human side of global assignment issues. Having an opportunity to share insight with each of the sectors: foreign service, military, missionary, corporate and education is very valuable."
Carl Burke, Manager, Global Services,
Guidant Corporation

"It is thrilling to be part of a multi-sector community of life-long learners who enthusiastically share the same commitment and curiosity to see families succeed in their expatriate journey. The result- a distilling of shared expertise that contributes to a greater understanding of overseas effectiveness and endurance."
Dr, Duncan Westwood, PhD.
Clinical Director of Expat Care and Development
International Health Management, Toronto, Canada

"An outstanding in-depth introduction to state-of-the-art thinking on the issues that come to bear on the potential for success/failure of an international assignment. I highly recommend it both to anyone contemplating an international assignment in their future, and to high level managers wanting to understand the impact that non-support will have on their employees."
Don Cummings
Manager of Training
Endress and Hauser, Inc.

"This was the best conference yet- I could not fault a thing, from the program to the venue to the atmosphere of camaraderie and shared experience."
Yvonne McNulty
Founder, www.thetrailingspouse.com

"It's generally accepted that family and child-related challenges can shorten or otherwise negatively impact expatriate assignments. FIGT addresses these issues from many perspectives. Even though I've worked with expatriate families with school-age children for a decade, I benefited both professionally and personally from the 2004 Families in Global Transition conference. This event and ongoing FIGT network should be part of every IHR and IAS executive's professional development. It would add value to assignees as well."
Andrew J. Kittel, Director of Corporate Relations
American Community Schools, England

"This is the conference for anyone interested in the needs of families and children. The conference is better every year. Just keeps getting better. Congratulations Team!"
Sandy Thomas, Director
USA Girl Scouts of America

Military Sector

"The FIGT Conference was exciting and made me more passionate on helping our families here in Atsugi Base, Japan on their transitions. I feel I am more equipped and have had my knowledge enhanced through the various topics that were presented and discussed at the conference. The Cracker Barrel Session and the plenary sessions even addressed specific questions I had before I attended this conference. I really thank you, the organizers and the volunteers for pulling this together successfully! In military, we say, bravo zulu!"
Diwata S. Salomon
FFSC Relocation Assistance Program, Volunteer Coordinator
U.S. NAF Atsugi Base, Japan

"An overall great conference - from an easy to use guide to excellent presentations and sessions. This FIGT Conference exceeded my expectations."
William Hansberry, Training Instructor
USN/FFSC St. Mawgan, United Kingdom

"The Conference has proven to be a great team effort and I will certainly put into my daily work what I learned. Thanks for all."
Angelo D'Arienzo, Site Manager
Fleet and Family Support Center
NSAND - GAETA, Italy

"I enjoyed the conference very much. It was my first time attending and I think it was a great way to learn how to deal with many of the effects of being in the overseas areas. Not to mention the effects of returning back to the states and the issues you have to deal with. Thanks a lot and I look forward to next year's conference."
Lee A. Wright, GS-11
Community Readiness Consultant
irman & Family Readiness Center
Seymour Johnson AFB, NC 27531

"Very good sessions [they] were beneficial for my work with the military especially...The presenters were very professional. Sadly the sessions were TOO SHORT."
Diana O'Brien, Relocation Readiness program Manager
235th BSB, DCA, ACS Ansbach, Germany

"I was very surprised and amazed at the large amount of individuals in relocation in the military from all around the world. This is my '1st FIGT' and I was very humbled to see how well educated and informed the FIGT conference speakers are. I felt at home with my counterparts and now I feel normal in my career field. FIGT has given me a strong sense of being and I hope to come back in the future to rejuvenate and stay abreast of all the new changes on a global scale. I am a piece of a puzzle that actually fits into a global puzzle and FIGT made me become aware of this. Thank you for such a wonderful job!"
Faith P. Hannah
Community Readiness Consultant
US Air Force Peterson AFB, Co

"A wonderful cross-cultural, cross-sector conference that in three days will change the way you do business for years to come."
Neil W. Elder
Relocation Specialist
Department of the Air Force

"The most practical relocation conference I ever attended. The only problem with this conference was it was just not long enough!"
Earl Summers, Community Readiness Consultant
Yakota Air Force Base (Japan)

Mission Sector

"The conference was wonderful. Sue and I came back with lots of resources that we can put to immediate use. Thank you."The conference was wonderful. Sue and I came back with lots of resources that we can put to immediate use. Thank you."
Dr. Will Walls, Director of Member Care
CMFI
"It was an incredible privilege to meet and discuss with so many experts in the global family field. The discussions were sometimes on the cutting edge of concepts that will soon be part of the norm."
Beth Reese, Coordinator, Family Programs
World Bible School/Missions

"FIGT is truly unique! To have every sector under one roof and focused on a single purpose is powerful to be a part of. It has been helpful and I will encourage my sector to continue to come."
Bethany Skipper, MK Program Office Coordinator
ISMK-MK Office, Assemblies of God

"Thanks for all the work that goes into hosting this incredible conference. I feel like I received my money's worth on the first day. I've learned that all of the sectors represented, military, missions, corporate, and diplomatic experience the same struggle. I saw for the first time just how much we can help each other and how much we have to learn from each other. I enjoyed sitting at the same table with people from radically different sectors who were so much like me and so different from me - we all had similar stories, experiences and concerns."
Roger Massey
Missionary/ Communications Director
Share Life Now International/ World Bible Translation Center

"This mixing/sharing of our commonness as cross-cultural workers across all the sectors was very eye opening and encouraging. Thank you so much for your commitment and hard work to make this happen each time."
Janet A. Edwards
Outreach Ministries of the Church of God

"As a missionary I was uncertain whether a 'secular version' of discussing issues related to Families in Global Transition would be relevant to my family's needs. My doubts were unfounded! The greatest blessing for me was being able to interact with others and pick their brains for ideas and help. Thank you for taking the time to organize this conference. An additional bonus was getting to look at these issues from a totally different perspective."
Richard C. Enterline, Jr., Missionary
Baptist Mid-Missions

Education

"So much gained from the 2007 conference; career realization, opportunities for the future, and undiscovered opportunities for my family and myself. I found inspiration and understanding which quenched my thirst for more and sated my appetite until next year!"
Cheilaugh Garvey, Educator

"My 4th FIGT conference. Always gain new insights and resource tools. Thank you."
Nancy Hartman, TCK Advisor
Oklahoma Christian University

"Thank-you for a terrific conference. I learnt so much, both professionally and personally, and I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions I attended. Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions I gave as well: people participated so fully, willingly and insightfully. . . . Many many thanks for what was truly an enriching experience and one I would love to return to in the future."
Antje M. Rauwerda, Assistant Professor
English Department, Goucher College

"I just wanted to thank you again for making it possible for me to attend this conference. I can't even begin to explain to you how incredibly inspiring and uplifting it was to be able to meet all of the magnificent people at the conferences as well as expand my knowledge of this field through the workshops and lectures. If there is anything I can do in the future to help out FIGT please let me know. I would like to stay in contact and involved as much as I can."
Kendra Sullivan
Student, University of Central Oklahoma

"Thanks again, a million for making this possible for me to come. It is a highlight in my personal and professional path. I feel stronger today to serve the expat community. And, I don't feel so lonely anymore. . "
Natalie Tihon, Educator
Pretoria, South Africa

"The energy was palpable in the air. There was such a depth of cultural experience, so many remarkable stories, so much practical information exchanged during the three days that I felt - we felt I'm sure--speechless at times. How can we remember everything, or better yet-- how not to forget? FIGT is full of wonderful people who care and want to make such (cross-cultural) experiences better for future generations of travelers through knowledge and sharing."
Chantal Duke, Visa and Relocation Manager
The Awty International School, Houston, Texas

"For someone just learning about the relocation industry, both participants and exhibitors were eager to chat about their experiences, which made the conference worthwhile to come to. The speakers provided useful information for the varied kinds of participants (corporate; military; missionaries).�
Rebecca Sacher, MBA Student
Thunderbird, The Training School of International Management

"The FIGT conference was a very positive experience for me. At first, all of us panel speakers were a little nervous, but we soon became very comfortable sharing our stories with the audience. The audience seemed to truly relate to our experiences of relocation, as many of them have moved around at a young age as well. I found that everyone took our insights and comments very seriously, and their questions were very thoughtful. Towards the end of the one hour session, there was much laughter and even a few tears, but I think everyone involved walked away with a better understanding of what it is like to grow up globally."
Emina Kobiljar, 12th Grade
The Awty International School, Houston, Texas

"I enjoyed and appreciated the conference greatly. The FIGT conference truly expanded my views on the difficulties and challenges that other Third Culture kids, and their families have to endure. It was a productive opportunity to meet with others who had similar backgrounds. I valued the experience, and I believe that it is important to understand the nature of global transition and the families involved as the world becomes more integrated. The teen discussion panel was a great idea, and I loved presenting my own experience. The other people on the panel were fun to work with and I learned much from their experiences. I appreciated the questions that the attendees asked us as the question really allowed us to show the life of a TCK. Also, the questions were entertaining to answer which added to the overall enjoyment of the experience. These conferences are extremely valuable and I cherished the time there."
Kar-Wei Leung, 12th Grade
The Awty International School, Houston, Texas

"The opportunity FIGT gave me to express my feelings and be taken seriously was quite a relief, and opened my eyes to a whole world of people who have gone through the same things I have and have felt what I have felt. The feeling of acceptance and friendliness was amazing, and I can only hope that if I am ever given the opportunity to participate in a similar activity and I will be given as warm of a welcome as I was given at FIGT."
Alicia Hernandez Grande, 11th Grade
The Awty International School, Houston, Texas

"The 2005 FIGT Conference was extremely well organized and a worthwhile experience to attend, or participate in, if you are in any way connected with supporting individuals living in an international setting. Both the plenary sessions and the concurrent seminars offered valuable insight and information, making every moment at the conference an enriching experience for all attendees. . . an outstanding event."
Mary Robinson
Corporate Affairs Liaison TASIS American School in England

"I found the Families in Global Transition conference to be right on the mark both personally and professionally. Having worked at international schools for over 25 years, the collection of presentations offered, provided a depth and breadth of information which was focused on transition. From new research to new perspectives, each of the many workshops which I attended was excellent. I gained new insights into the impact of transition on military, corporate, and missionary organizational systems and I feel that I can now better serve the needs of those communities. I had the opportunity to take away many new ideas that I was able to share with my colleagues when I returned to Argentina."
Brad McClain
Elementary School Counselor
Lincoln, The American International School of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Foreign Service

"This was my first time at an FIGT conference, but I'm already looking forward to next year! How amazing to be in a room full of others who 'get it.' It has been so stimulating - I woke up at 4a.m. with the solution to a nagging question. Saturday morning I then blundered into a spontaneous collaboration session and contributed to another's problem solving."
Nan W. Leininger, MSW
Program Specialist for Unaccompanied Tours
US Department Of State

"Extraordinarily useful. I would like to see everyone in my office attend. One of the few conferences I have attended (and the number is in the 100's) that I would characterize as life changing."
Pamela Ward, Education and Youth Officer
US Department Of State

"I cannot tell you how 'brimming' over I am with useful material and excellent people resources. The mixture of missions was very wonderful. I feel totally exhausted and supported missions with shared."
Connie Hansen
Coordinator of Overseas Briefing Center
Foreign Service Dept. of State

Service Providers

"Congratulations on a very successful conference (rich and well-structured). Jill and I certainly considered an excellent use of our time and money and we wish to thank you for helping to mastermind the valuable gathering of people in this very interesting industry."
Andrea Martins and Jill Lengre, Founders
Expatwomen.com

"The FIGT conference is a place whereby participants come seeking ways to give vocabulary to, and to better articulate, their experiences (and the experiences of their employees and/or clients) overseas. As a result, participants acquire tools to better assist/guide individuals, couples and families through the global transition process."
Barbara F. Schaetti, Principal Consultant,
Transition Dynamics

"I was very impressed with the organization, the facilities, program and presentations. I will highly recommend this conference to anyone I meet who deals with families in transition. I look forward to next year's conference." Tina Quick, Consultant
International Family Transitions

"This conference was fantastic. I enjoyed the presentations and found they were, for the most part, highly interactive."
LaShell Pellegrino
Supervisor and Senior International Consultant
REA

"Besides top quality workshops, networking at FIGT has been inspiring. To meet others that are like-minded and share both experiences as well as dreams � it is invigorating. I'm finding synergistic partnership being made."
Becky Matchullis
Certified Professional Coach and Consultant
Navigating Life's Transitions

"An amazingly proactive, informative and friendly conference. It was my first time to attend and it was a fantastic opportunity to learn from shared experiences. The networking with such a variety of people from this unique community makes one feel instantly �at home'. Keep up your excellent work."
Marian Weston, Author
Swift Transitions, UK

"First of all I want to thank FIGT for making the conference affordable so that individual spouses (like me!) could attend. Now that I have attended, I know that the value of the conference is invaluable. . . . I learned so much for myself, as a trailing spouse and as a mother of TCKs. There is an immediate connection and recognition by all participants and it is great to be around people who really understand what it means to move internationally. All the workshops were inspiring, both for my private life as for my work. For our business, I felt validated in what we are trying to achieve. . . . I will keep in touch with a number of people we met at the conference to build on the discussions we had at the conference. Professionally, FIGT was also a great success for me."
Marijke Van Liemt, Transition Coach
Frese and Van Liemt

"Thank you for such an incredible and meaningful conference. I learned and enjoyed it so much. You exceeded my expectations. This was my third FIGT conference, and it was the best on so many levels...You successfully kept it at a level where, on the one hand, it was so professional, focused and practical-- yet on the other hand, it had depth, meaning and plenty of fun for the attendees. You really out did yourselves and I can't wait for the next one."
Kevin McNulty, Career Consultant, Manager Military Affairs
Ricklin-Echikson Associates (REA)

"You can rest assured my wife, Dana, and I are great fans of FIGT as the result of this year's conference. It was excellent! The various backgrounds of people in attendance lends to a most productive atmosphere, and I came away with an even deeper understanding of the issues facing mobile families. Keep up the great work!"
Craig B. Toedtman, SPHR GMS
Options / Resource Careers

"It was like a visit 'home' with brothers and sisters who have shared similar expatriate family experiences. Professionally and personally rewarding."
Estelle Toomey, Consultant/Researcher
Global TRANSIT-ions Consulting

"This is my second year at a FIGT conference and both years I have found it to be stimulating and a source of refreshment for my own passion to assist the families and singles making their international moves."
Janet Fagan, President Owner
Great Expatriations, LLC

"As an advocate for the needs of woman who are most often the trailing spouse, I felt so welcome at the FIGT conference. It was a remarkable experience, both personally and professionally to be surrounded by others who also share the same vision: to help families have successful overseas transitions. Thank you so much!"
Debra R. Bryson, MSW, LCSW
Co-Author of A Portable Identity: A Woman's Sense of Self While Moving Overseas

"Once again it was a great experience to share thoughts, ideas and experience with other people who work in the field and try to support families in a mobile lifestyle. But it is a pleasure to see how the conference flows!!! This conference is unique as it brings together expatriates and experts of different backgrounds. Once again I was impressed by the quality of the tightly planned and comprehensive program and the spirit and enthusiasm of presenters and participants. Thanks so much for making this possible!"
Bridgette Hild
Director
Going Global, Global

"At Childtrack we have a term with regard to selecting schools and that is a school is 'WTD' Worth the Drive. This conference is very much 'WTF' Worth the Flight! Thank you."
Kathleen Cocklin, Director
Childtrack United Kingdom

"I love this conference because of the different sectors involved. I think it is the only conference of its kind that involves all sectors around the global family experience. Each of us has something to teach each other."
Karen Kilbourne-Young
Marriage Family Therapist, CRM

Expatriates/Repatriates

"This conference nurtured my soul. I met people from all walks of life who understood my story. I gained a better understanding of global mobility, TCKs and myself. I feel like I have found a community that I can return to year after year that will continue to embrace me while celebrating the diversity and uniqueness of its members. Thank you for all your hard work!"
Laurie Shapiro, Repatriate

"The conference was affirming and informative -- well worth the money. Bring a friend!! Get connected!! You leave feeling empowered."
Linda Mello, Spouse
Schlumberger

"I enjoyed every aspect of the conference, from the wonderful film about military brats that I ever so related to, to all of small sessions that I attended, and to speaking on the panel discussion. This opened up my eyes to a concept that I had not really thought over. It helped me realize that everyone at that conference had a similar objective and it was comforting to know that everyone in the room has either experienced what I have or want to help those who have been in my situation."
Reiko E. Keehn, Repatriate