The acronym ‘RAFT’ was coined by Dave Pollock which in essence says “you need to leave well in order to enter well.” The way you leave the culture you have spent a considerable amount of time in during your formative years will have a significant impact on how well you begin the next chapter of your life on new ground. The image below will provide more details about each important aspect. Making a healthy transition will be the result of the attention you have given to reconciling relationships, affirming those that had an influential part in your life, saying goodbye effectively, and taking the time to process the unavoidable grief of leaving. As painful as it may feel, allowing time to work through these things, as opposed to a whirlwind departure, will enable you to have a good start moving forward.

-RAFT concept originally created by David Pollock and Ruth Van Reken.