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by Suzanne MacNeil, FAWCO Liaison for FAUSA, FAUSA, AWC The Hague

 

2022 tag line FAUSA S F CMYK For many FAWCO members returning to North America, repatriation may seem daunting. There’s the loss of your international lifestyle and the friends you’ve made, not only in your expat country, but through FAWCO events and activities. In addition, living overseas may change the way you view the world and your home country. That’s why FAUSA (FAWCO Alumnae USA) is the safety net to help you through the transition, since its members walked the path before you and understand the ups and downs of returning home. 

“When I returned from living in Bern, Switzerland (AWC Bern), I knew I wanted to join FAUSA,” said Brenda Brinkley. “I traveled back to Houston often during our time living abroad due to my father’s Alzheimer’s and I had the opportunity to get together with longtime girlfriends. Eventually, I realized they felt I was ‘bragging’ when I shared what normal life was like while living and traveling overseas.” Many FAUSA members identify with Brenda’s experience with friends. Rather than be annoyed when a member shares expat experiences, FAUSA members likely understand and want to know about your time abroad.

Julie Mowat, who was the FAWCO Rep for AWC The Hague, repatriated in 2019 to Colorado after eight years in the Netherlands. She joined FAUSA soon after returning to the US. “It was so wonderful to have a way to stay connected with people that I either knew or who shared similar experiences.” Julie echoes Brenda’s experience after joining FAUSA. “When we returned to the states in 2018 I was quick to join FAUSA. They welcomed me with open arms and I’ve made wonderful friends! Sharing our travels and experiences with other FAUSA members is a bond I treasure.”

Although FAUSA members are scattered throughout the US and Canada there are many events and activities for members who may not live near one another thanks to Zoom! In addition, the organization hosts an annual fall Getaway. In recent years, members have met in Cincinnati, Ohio, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the 2023 Getaway will be in Nashville, Tennessee. FAUSA membership is divided geographically into regional and metropolitan areas, overseen by Regional Representatives (RR) and Metropolitan Coordinators (MC). FAUSA’s various groups hold periodic in-person and virtual philanthropic and social events. “The bimonthly mahjongg, book clubs and the monthly wine tastings are so fun and helped ease the transition for sure,” said Julie. 

Carol Lalani returned to Montana due to a family health crisis and left behind her expat life in the UK, having been a member of AWC Surrey. “During this difficult adjustment on many levels I received a phone call from Priscilla Dysart (AWG Languedoc-Roussillon). She told me about FAUSA and invited me to join. It was wonderful meeting Priscilla and Dick and then Jane and Terry Indreland (AWC London). We had all lived overseas and had the same mindset and could relate sharing our experiences.”

To better understand FAUSA, think of FAWCO as the Mother Ship and FAUSA and The FAWCO Foundation as FAWCO’s equal partners. FAUSA members are eligible to sit on the FAWCO board (those with overseas residency), The FAWCO Foundation board and volunteer on teams. They (and their children) may apply for The FAWCO Foundation’s Education Awards and propose projects for the Foundation’s Development Grants and FAWCO Target Project. FAUSA supports projects that benefit women and children, offers Annual Grants, and votes on Education Awards and Development Grants offered via The FAWCO Foundation. FAUSA sponsors both an Education Award and a Development Grant for The FAWCO Foundation as well as making significant donations to FAWCO’s Target Project.

Unlike FAWCO, FAUSA is a relatively new organization. In the beginning (1970s) FAUSA was known as FAWCO West and this first group expanded quickly as the list of women who had repatriated had grown exponentially. Helen Cola (AWA Rome), who repatriated to Washington, DC, led this early group. To recruit members, ads were placed in various club bulletins that read, Returning to the USA? Don’t let us lose you. By the 1990s it became evident the group wanted to be more than just a FAWCO committee. At the 1995 FAWCO conference in Nairobi, Mona Garcia (AWC Madrid) was asked to chair a formal alumnae committee and was voted the first FAUSA president. Under Mona’s leadership in 2000, FAUSA became an affiliate club. Three years later FAWCO changed its bylaws and designated FAUSA its alumnae arm. 

Since FAUSA’s inception, its goal has remained steady. Our members maintain overseas friendships and support those who have repatriated and may experience reverse culture shock. The membership is growing as more FAWCO members are returning to North America for various reasons, including downsizing of corporations and the lasting effects of the pandemic. If you, or someone you know who was not a member of a FAWCO Club, want to join an organization with members who “get” you, FAUSA may be one of your best decisions when returning home!

If you’re interested in learning more about FAUSA, please visit the website. If you want to join FAUSA or have questions about the organization, please contact the membership chair. We look forward to welcoming you home!

 

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