A report published by Hindustan times reveals that there's been a 68% rise in Indian students traveling abroad for education with over 7 lakh students going abroad in 2022. Indians till date have a preference to travel and settle in a foreign land, and more often than not believe that they can access better opportunities only by living abroad. While many Indians may have a rosy image of foreign life which promises higher pay, higher quality of life (which is at least true on paper of various reports example: World Happiness report) and a lot more; it is often observed that Indians fail to cross check reality in numerous grounds. And these pose a serious challenge for them later on - especially if they plan to be in a new country with their families which include their children.
Imagine being in a new country, where perhaps you don't even speak the local language properly, do not know anyone, and suddenly one fine day - you find your children being 'kidnapped' by local agencies in the name of child welfare. Imagine suddenly being labelled as mentally unfit and incapable of raising a child, just because you as parent were practicing your culture with them. The recent case of Ariha from Berlin is just one such example among the countless examples available.
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| Film poster of Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway| First Indian movie shot in Estonia. |
Readers may think that only Indians, or Pakistanis or Asians at large face this problem. However, even in the 'white world', parents from Russia and Eastern Europe have faced such discrimination at the hands of western bureaucracies. The reason to remove a child from their homes and place in institutional care can be varied. But mostly, it has been deemed to be racially motivated. It has also attracted allegations of being driven by profit, since such child welfare schemes have largely given rise to money making industry. And as parents, they find their world upside down - both at the loss of their child and at the gruesome reports of paedophilia, child pornography, child sex trafficking, emerging from these countries who present themselves as a role model of great life. In the backdrop of these double standards, it is quite normal for anybody including Indians to raise a question - should we at all travel abroad for long time purposes which might include the periods of our marriage and starting a family? Should we at all consider settling abroad, even if we are getting better opportunities at our career? Then today's blog is dedicated to you. When families are torn apart, children suffer the most. While some countries are known for separating children from their parents in certain situations, there are also countries that prioritize family unity and have strong child protection policies in place. So if you are someone who has plans to move abroad, but at the same time, are considering having a baby or already have a baby, this blog is for you to read before making any decisions. First some tips to get started.
Relocating to a new place can be both exciting and daunting. While it may offer new opportunities, it also requires a lot of preparation, research, and adaptation to a new culture. One of the most important things to keep in mind is to research thoroughly about the place you are relocating to, especially the laws that may affect you and your family both in short term and long term i.e., 2 to 5 years down the lane. This is particularly important for people coming from countries with deep-rooted cultural practices like India, Asia, and Eastern Europe.
While it's essential to hold onto your values and traditions, it's also crucial to understand how to conduct them in a way that's respectful to the new community you're joining. Consider your integration as a gradual shift instead of part-n-parcel of the new society right away. Not everyone will appreciate or understand your culture, so being aware of when and how to practice your culture is crucial. It's also important to learn about the body language and social etiquette of the new place, as a smile or gesture that may be acceptable in one culture could be perceived differently in another.
Building a strong community support system within your vicinity can also be a great way to ease the transition and feel connected to your new home. Look for opportunities to connect with others who share your background or interests and create a support network that can help you in times of need. Remember, it's always better to have a group of people you can rely on than to feel isolated and alone in a new place. Try to build a strong and loyal support system.
Take the time to learn the local language or dialect. Even if English is commonly spoken in the area, making an effort to learn the local language can help you better understand the culture and connect with the community.
Understand the cost of living in the area before making a decision to move. This includes not only housing costs, food, transportation, and healthcare but also costs of special services like lawyers, schools, higher and special education or other service agents in case you need one. Then decide, if you still plan on making the move.
A very underrated tip yet a very useful one - check for responsiveness and accountability of Consulates. In my case, while I was living abroad as a student, I once faced a very tricky situation with applying for student visa to go to another place as an exchange student. The Indian embassy in that place was almost non-responsive. I received timely support, and extremely valuable tips and guidance from Consulates of the respective countries located in India and some senior Indian officials in India. This led me to understand that at times it is quite possible that your country's embassy at your place may be just a name sake, but it doesn't mean it is the end of the road. Before making my decision to travel to my study abroad destination, I had made my research to discover if their officials were friendly and welcoming, or not. This proved handy later on in my case, where I received a lot of support from them. If consulates operating in your country portrays an image like:
- I am not accessible to answer your questions about relocating to my country - its your decision, or
- I am absolutely not accountable for your experience in my country and I think you are the one who must be at fault, or,
- If you are not a huge celebrity or VIP or a cash cow, I am not interested to answer your questions or,
- We have only agents to answer your questions because agents know best how to deal with you. We are super important people and have more important things to deal with than people like you, or,
- We have an email and phone number - but so what? It's not for you to call us. We are busy.
- We have some Indians hired on consulate premises - talk to them. If they are not responding, what can I do? I am a foreign national - have no interest in interacting with locals, have no idea what is India although I live here,
Finally, consider establishing a strong expat network support. They may be able to provide valuable insights, essential contacts and tips based on their own experiences.
Now let's look into some countries where so far, no such major cases of child snatching have been heard of. Moreover, these countries have excellent academic and research opportunities as well. So let's begin.
A. Japan And South Korea.
Both Japan and South Korea are often labelled as countries which are living in the future. With advanced technologies being a part or everyday life, these places are great to study particularly in Engineering and management field. Along side, both these countries have strict laws and cultural norms surrounding family unity, which have helped prevent cases of child separations. These countries value the importance of strong family bonds and provide support to families in need, so that children can remain with their parents. The social welfare systems in both these countries prioritize family-based care, such as foster care and adoption within families, over institutional care. The government provides support to families in need, such as financial assistance, childcare services, and medical care.
B. Iceland:
Iceland is also known for its progressive child protection policies. The country has a strong social welfare system that provides support to families in need, including single-parent families. This helps ensure that children are not taken away from their parents, even in difficult circumstances. The social welfare systems prioritize early intervention and support for families in need. This includes providing families with access to healthcare, education, and financial assistance, as well as supporting parents in their roles as caregivers.
C. France and Spain:
France and Spain have strong social welfare systems that provide support to families in need. Both countries prioritize family-based care over institutional care and have laws and policies in place to prevent unnecessary child separation. They also provide support to families to ensure that they have the resources they need to care for their children.
D. New-Zealand:
New Zealand is known for its progressive social policies and strong child protection laws. It has a child-cantered approach to social welfare and prioritizes the wellbeing and safety of children. Most importantly, it has a government which isn't shy of admitting mistakes and taking steps to rectify them as well. Example is New Zealand halting taking away of Maori children to put them in a safer place after being called out for racism in practice.
E. Poland:
Poland has implemented a range of reforms to its child protection system, including the creation of new family support services, increased funding for foster care and adoption, and a greater emphasis on working with families to keep children out of institutional care. As a result of these efforts, the number of children living in institutions has decreased significantly in recent years.
F. Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia:
These countries have implemented policies to reduce the number of children in institutional care and have made significant improvements during recent years. Some of these policies include:
- Strengthening legal frameworks to protect children's rights and promote family-based care
- Increasing funding and resources for child protection services and support programs for families
- Establishing new standards for the quality of care in institutions and promoting alternative care options
- Providing financial assistance and counselling services for families in need
- Improving training and support for child protection professionals
- Strengthening oversight and accountability mechanisms to ensure that children's rights are respected and protected.
Overall, the focus of these new laws and policies is to shift towards a more family-centred approach to child protection, with a greater emphasis on prevention and support for vulnerable families. The aim is to ensure that children are protected from harm and that families are provided with the support they need to care for their children in a safe and nurturing environment.
G. Gibraltar:
Gibraltar is a British Overseas territory and unlike UK, it is known to have a strong focus on family values and child welfare, and there have been no major cases of child snatching or forced institutional care reported in recent years. With a low crime rate, a strong social welfare system which helps to ensure that families are provided with the resources they need to care for their children, and a culturally diverse population, the territory has a strong sense of community and mutual support.
While these are some list of countries - bear in mind that it isn't and cannot be a comprehensive list. The reason is that it will be updated as per global events as we do not know when and where what shall happen. Just released movie, "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway," captures the incident of Sagarika Chakraborty and Anurup Bhattacharya, an Indian couple who had dreamt of happily settling in one of the best places in the world - Norway, had their world crumbling apart when their children were taken away from them by Norwegian CPS. This movie amazingly brings to light the nightmares of a mother and the terrifying battle she had to go through to regain the custody of her children. What is particularly heart wrenching is the way her husband reacted. The movie sheds light on the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding when it comes to child welfare, and how families need to be provided with support and resources, rather than facing punitive measures like child separation. On the other side, it also exposes the Indian inferiority complexes, particularly of Indian men; rotten boot-licking mentalities, and tendencies to demean the wife with all possible blames as well. It is a sad truth that there are indeed many Indian nationals out there, who would go to any extant to gain foreign citizenship. And perhaps this is one of the biggest reasons why some racist nations get a scope to exploit Indians.
If Indians or any one else, wants to make a mark abroad, it is necessary that they start admiring their identities. A sense of pride towards one's own identity and culture is the first step and a major move in this fight against injustice. And living in India now, I feel that Indian culture is not just rich in terms of variety, it is scientific and advanced in many ways compared to Western hypocrites.
Any ways, was it a lengthy and serious post? Why not go watch a movie to freshen up a bit! Do watch the movie Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. I have already watched it and indeed it is an amazing movie. Even if you forget what I wrote in this blog post, watching this movie will refresh your memories as most of the tips shared with you here can be found in the story line of the movie. That apart, its a super paisa wasool as the acting from each actor is just superb as much is the storyline. And if you are planning your tour abroad - Do check out clear trip to get exciting deals.
That all for now and I will see you in my next blog. Till then, take care. Stay Safe.
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