resources

Transitions from A to Z

Amy Shuflin

07 Apr 2025 • 2 min read

Change is a part of life. But so often we find ourselves caught off guard and unprepared when we experience change. Learning to manage change and transitions has become a growing area of focus and research with books like Life Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age by Bruce Feiler and Safe Passage how mobility affects people & what international schools should do about it by Dr. Doug Ota. If you live internationally, transitions are not just the major events and job changes. Transitions are the very water you swim in. Learning to manage and navigate transitions well is key to a fulfilled and healthy international life.

I am happy to share this printable poster I have created "Transitions from A-Z" covering major concepts of transition - everything from Arriving, Staying, Leaving to the RAFT (David Pollock & Ruth Van Reken's guide to a good goodbye) to belonging (Ota's focus on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Attachment security in international schools). My work as the Resource Lead for SPAN helped inspire this poster.

I hope that this poster can serve to promote conversations around positive transitions-care in families, organizations and schools as it hangs on your wall.

Here is a thumbnail version of the poster. You can access the printable version below.

May this be useful to you and your community!

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