EXPAT COACHING

Challenges

Expatriation can seem exhilarating at first, both to the expat and to their significant other, and there is definitely a “high” in the few weeks or months before and just after arrival in the new country. But when the movers have come and gone and reality sets in, things can be less rosy than had been imagined: there is the stress of preparing and experiencing the move itself, getting acclimated to the new job and work environment for the working expat, finding their marks both logistically and emotionally for the expat partner, and dealing with the upheaval for the rest of the family. Loneliness might set in, sometimes resentment if one of the partners had to give up their career. There can be feelings of overwhelm, abandonment, frustration, stress, sometimes even mild depression. Relationships can become strained in the family, as members react differently to the new life situation.

Solution

With Expat Coaching, the goal is to assist members of the expat family achieve productive international assignments through successful integration. Whether this is your first or tenth expatriation assignment, or whether you are abroad for three months, three years, or forever, expat coaching assists both the expats and the expat partners by helping them address the personal and professional challenges which are bound to arise during international expatriation.

Results

As a result of working with The Challenge Coach, both the expat employee as well as their family will experience a much smoother transition from their home country to the host country. They will feel practically and emotionally better prepared. The expat employee will assimilate in his/her new work environment and job more seamlessly. The expat family will find their marks sooner and integrate easier. The expat spouse will define and implement their work or career plan more clearly and maximize the expatriation time. Family relationships will be less strained as a result, and the overall expatriation experience will end up being a true success.

For the expat employee, coaching might typically include:

Initial support (usually during the first year of the expatriation):

• Seamless integration into the new business environment
• Inter-cultural coaching: adapt to the local business and life culture
• Dealing with the culture shock
• Helping the family with their integration
• Enhance productivity
• Increase self-confidence
• Productive communication techniques

Repatriation support (at the end of expatriation before return to home country or move to another):

• How to prepare
• What to organize
• Get ready for the reverse culture-shock
• Dealing with “you can never go home again”
• Support with job search if return without a job

For the expat partner, our coaching might include:

Initial support (usually during the first year of the expatriation):

• Seamless integration into the new living environment
• Orientation to new surroundings
• Inter-cultural coaching: adapt to the local culture
• Dealing with the culture shock – life coaching
• Helping the family with their integration
• Parenting expat children and their specific issues
• Creating an action plan: how to make the most of the expatriation time
• Career coaching/job search support when work is an option

Repatriation support (at the end of expatriation before return to home country or move to another):

• How to prepare self and family
• What to organize
• Get ready for the reverse culture-shock
• Dealing with “you can never go home again”
• Support with job search if return without a job

Where ever you are in your expatriation journey, The Challenge Coach can help! If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or book a sample session:

Explore the other services that The Challenge Coach has on offer: