Expat Insights

6. ADHD Abroad - Don´t Judge A Book By Its Cover

Summary Wendy Zeilstra shares her journey of navigating life abroad with a neurodivergent child, highlighting the importance of awareness, diagnosis, and support systems. This episode offers valuable insights for parents living abroad and dealing with similar challenges. Key Topics Journey of navigating life abroad with a neurodivergent child Importance of early diagnosis and support Challenges of cultural and systemic differences in healthcare and education Guest Wendy Zeilstra https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyzeilstra/ https://latebloomcollective.com Host Annegret Bertsch https://www.coaching-because.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegret-bertsch/ https://www.instagram.com/coaching_because/

5. Relationships in the UAE - What Relocation Reveals

Summary In this conversation, Samar Karam shares her insights on navigating relationships as an expat in the UAE. She discusses the cultural nuances, challenges of multicultural marriages, and the importance of communication and emotional support. Samar emphasizes the need for kindness and understanding in relationships, especially in a new environment where traditions and identities may clash. The conversation also touches on the temptations of the UAE lifestyle and the significance of preventive maintenance in relationships. Takeaways Finding a forever home can be a beautiful journey. Cultural insights are crucial for adapting to life in the UAE. Expect changes and respect traditions when moving to a new country. Safety in the UAE is a significant advantage for families. The rate of divorce among expats is notably high due to various challenges. Preventive maintenance in relationships is essential for longevity. Communication and emotional support are key to a successful marriage. Be mindful of the temptations that come with the UAE lifestyle. Kindness can transform difficult conversations into constructive ones. Understanding each other's identities is crucial in multicultural marriages. Guest Samar Karam https://www.linkedin.com/in/samarsamykaram/ https://www.samarkaram.com Host Annegret Bertsch https://www.coaching-because.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegret-bertsch/ https://www.instagram.com/coaching_because/

4. Prepare for Landing - Guiding Principles for Intercultural Leadership

Discover practical insights from Bernd Scharbert’s extensive experience leading global teams and navigating intercultural environments. In this episode, Bernd shares how small actions and cultural awareness forge trust and belonging across borders, providing actionable principles for leaders and expatriates alike. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice for leaders, expatriates, and anyone interested in mastering intercultural skills for both professional and personal growth. Takeaways: The significance of reflection before landing (or beginning a new intercultural phase) and how it relates to leadership and personal growth Principles of inclusive language use and navigating language barriers in multicultural teams The concept of cultural mapping versus stereotypes, and how understanding norms helps prevent misunderstandings Difference between low and high context cultures and their impact on communication styles Practical strategies for building trust through small gestures, authentic storytelling, and showing vulnerability The importance of adapting leadership styles to cultural expectations, including hierarchy and feedback norms How to create safe spaces in meetings to encourage contributions from shy or less vocal team members Tools for developing a cultural “rule book” tailored to team or organizational norms Personal stories illustrating the influence of cultural customs, such as greeting rituals and social drinking, on leadership authenticity Guest Bernd Scharbert https://www.berndscharbert.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernd-scharbert-719a384/?originalSubdomain=de https://shop.budrich.de/en/product-2/prepare-for-landing-leitlinien-fuer-interkulturelle-fuehrung/ Host Annegret Bertsch https://www.coaching-because.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegret-bertsch/ https://www.instagram.com/coaching_because/

3. I´ll Be There For You - Friendships Abroad

Gaia shares her rich multicultural journey, insights on friendship formation, cultural differences, and maintaining meaningful relationships across borders. Discover practical tips for expats and intercultural friendships, and learn how shared experiences forge lifelong bonds. Takeaways - Friendship formation hours: 40-60 casual, 200+ close - Cultural differences in greeting and social norms - Strategies for introverts to meet new people abroad - Impact of shared hardships on lifelong friendships - Balancing social life and personal boundaries in expat life Guest Gaia Striano https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaia-striano-59b87a1b7/ https://www.instagram.com/quierounpaninoconcheese/ Host Annegret Bertsch https://www.coaching-because.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegret-bertsch/ https://www.instagram.com/coaching_because/

2. Career Reinvented: Lessons for Accompanying Spouses Abroad

Summary In this conversation, Elizabeth Thomas shares her experiences as an accompanying spouse navigating the challenges of expatriation. She discusses the often-overlooked struggles of partners who relocate for their spouse's career, the complexities of job searching in a new country, and the importance of building confidence and a support network. Elizabeth emphasizes the need for a flexible plan, the value of expat skills, and the significance of reforming one's identity in a new environment. Her insights provide valuable guidance for anyone facing the challenges of living and working abroad. Takeaways Accompanying spouses often feel overlooked during expatriation. The transition to a new country can be a blank canvas for many. Job searching in a new country can be more challenging than expected. Confidence can take a hit when facing new job market dynamics. It's important to separate what you can control from what you cannot. Finding a therapist / coach can help in navigating expat challenges. Having a loose plan before moving can ease the transition. Building a network is crucial in a new country. Identities can be reformed rather than reclaimed in a new context. Expat skills are valuable and should be articulated in job searches. Guest Elizabeth Thomas https://www.linkedin.com/in/egrantthomas/ https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/613801/_PARENT/CC_layout_details/false Host Annegret Bertsch https://www.coaching-because.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegret-bertsch/ https://www.instagram.com/coaching_because/