The Foreign Service Journal, December 2012

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2012 71 requirements for documenting a student’s progress or for returning to a stateside school after a period of homeschooling overseas. A student preparing for college might need to keep detailed records of programs completed or ensure that he or she has a full portfolio of work to demon- strate achievement. Many U.S. colleges and universities have a growing number of applications from homeschooled students, and they are familiar with the less-standardized transcripts that may be prepared by a homeschooling parent. There are many Web sites and blogs with detailed guid- ance on preparing transcripts and port- folios with an eye toward college applica- tions. But keep in mind that each college will have its own set of requirements for homeschooled students who are not able to provide a transcript for an online school or distance learning program. Finding Support For many families, finding support for their homeschooling lifestyle can be a real challenge overseas. Depending on the post, there may be few or no other home- schooling families, either in the official post population or in the local commu- nity. In many countries, homeschooling is almost completely unheard of. Communities that have serious sports training programs, such as gymnastics, or expatriate religious missionary popula- tions might be more likely to also have homeschooling families. And that can be a big help to Foreign Service homeschool- ers looking for other like-minded home educators. There is a wide variety of online sup- port groups, blogs and other resources, including an active Yahoo Group for For- Issues relating to work-life balance may be more easily resolved if the only constraint that a family has to adjust to is a parent’s work schedule.