"Uncertainty is certain" is an unwritten but understood rule of being an expat. Dates and places may as well be written in pencil as they are subject to change.
Our original contract was for three years in Norway, which got extended to four years. As we approached the last six months of our time in Norway we were told that there was a 99% chance we would be in Scotland next. Our contract expired at the end of July so we had plenty of time for confirmation. In April of 2016 we were informed that Scotland was no longer part of the picture and to prepare for Houston. Less than a week later were told to hold off on Houston plans because there were two additional doors of opportunity that were at least slightly ajar. The first door to close was Houston. May remained void of a confirmed assignment and the uncertainty of our future created a great deal of tension. Option number two would only be making a decision in August so another door was closed. June brought an exploratory trip to France and five weeks prior to the end of our contract it was confirmed that it would be our next destination.
As we rapidly approach the end of our current contract in France we are again at "there is a 99% chance that you will be in ... next." After our experience leaving Norway I will hold off on divulging our tentative new destination until it is 100% certain.
Our story is rather bland and ordinary. A fellow expat in Norway told me they moved from country A to country B. After one week in B they were transferred to Norway arriving a week before school started. One of my students told me she had averaged just under one year per location with stays ranging from three months to two years.
Being flexible and ready for the unexpected is part of expat life. The situations may not be enjoyable at the time but they add to the bouquet that is the adventure of life.
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