The end of the school year is the toughest time for expats or internationally living families. To the usual change of class the change due to friends moving abroad is the one that affects us the most. We begin early to build a R.A.F.T. and say goodbye over and over again… This is a very sad time of the year.

Since a few years I have started to collect songs with my children that they associate with this period of the year – some are songs we listened to while I was driving them to and from school, others are songs they learnt for performances.

Listening to these songs brings us back to the happy moments spent with our friends who moved on, or who are not (going to be) part of our daily life anymore.

To all those who left – and to all those who are leaving…

We’re going to miss you, it hurts. – But we’re thankful that our paths crossed, that we had the opportunity to have you in our lives. You’re always have a place in our hearts.

(the songs are not in any particular order)

Count on me…

Hall of Fame

WakaWaka

King and the Lionheart

Dynamite (Taio Cruz)

Heroes

Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson)

Moves like Jagger (Maroon 5)

Wake me up (Avicii)

Stay with me (Sam Smith)

Burn (Ellie Goulding)

Blank Space (Taylor Swift)

Shake it off (Taylor Swift)

All About That Bass (Meghan Trainor)

Counting Stars (OneRepublic)

Let her go (Passenger)

You’re going to miss me when I’m gone (Anna Kendrik)

Happy (Pharrell Williams)

When we were young (Adele)

Perfect Symphony (Ed Sheeran & Andrea Bocelli)

Zu Hause…

What are your songs that remind you of this time of the year or the time spent with your friends before they or you left?