Usually one for embracing change and experiencing new things, knowing that my family at home in the USA was gearing up to celebrate Christmas while I was abroad made me long for the familiarity of home. Watching the days grow shorter and thermostat drop heightened my sense of anticipation for my favorite time of year. […]
adjustment
The Neuroscience of Inclusion
The world is more interconnected and global than we could ever imagine. From a meat processing plant manager in Kansas working with Somali and Salvadoran factory workers to a high-flying executive leading a cross-cultural team in Hong Kong, London, and Seattle: global is the new local. Furthermore, technological advances allow for teams to work virtually […]
Diverse Identities Within Borders
We often think of a country’s border as a defined albeit arbitrary demarcation of culture, language, traditions, mores, and values. A germane question to ask, considering the recent unrest in Catalonia surrounding an independence referendum from Spain is: what exactly is national identity? How do we define and understand it? What are the parameters and […]
The Quirks of Shopping as an Expat
Suddenly, on your way home, you remember that you need some cashew milk, eggs, poppy seed bagels, and your favorite locally brewed IPA. You swing by your neighborhood store, grab a basket, head to your designated aisles, and check yourself out in under 10 minutes. Easy, simple, done. Now imagine you recently moved abroad to […]
China: Expats’ Family Matters
China is a very interesting country but for most transitioning employees it is a hard country to live and work in. An executive’s success does not only depend on how well adjusted he or she is in the new environment but also how well adjusted his or her family is. According to Betsy Neidel, a […]
Personality Traits Critical to Expat Success
The majority of expats face difficulties in their new surroundings. A recent poll shows that the top three personality traits that lead to successful expat assignments are: flexibility, sense of humor, and resiliency. While some of these characteristics may seem obvious, putting them into practice can be challenging. Flexibility is needed when dealing with […]
