What do you think you would do if you moved to a small island in the Indian Ocean? For one expat partner, the experience has proved to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pause, reflect, learn and grow.
Ready for adventure
Before relocating to Saint-Denis – the capital of Reunion Island – expat partner Silke Kunstreich had her own international career that had taken her from Germany to Singapore, Hong Kong and then Paris, where she met her husband. “I loved my work and living in Paris,” says Silke, a Communication & Marketing expert, and a fluent French speaker, “but my daughter, and my husband Lorenzo’s sons are all adults, so we didn’t hesitate to embark on this adventure…”
Filling the void
At first, the challenges of relocation were softened by her job, which she continued to do remotely in a temporary arrangement. “After my company found a successor, I stood down and that’s when I really had to think about what I would do here in Saint-Denis,” continues Silke. “My professional life had been such a big part of my identity so, to be honest, I felt a little lost stepping away from it…”
Reassuring guidance
“My Global Connection consultant Jasmin had already been in touch with me, so I knew support was there, so I scheduled a call with her to discuss my options. When you are going through a lot of uncertainty, it’s extremely reassuring to have someone as dedicated and professional as Jasmin guiding you and helping me to see the bigger picture,” says Silke, who had already accepted she wouldn’t be able to find a job on Reunion Island. “Rather than think about what I couldn’t do, thanks to the partner support program I began to see all of the possibilities…”
Shifting focus and growing
As she will eventually resume her career, Silke took coaching sessions to strengthen her business profile and develop a business plan, which she is saving for the future. She also completed a business management course with the London School of Economics and brushed up her Spanish. “Although it was a little daunting to step away from my career with no immediate plan, I now see this ‘free time’ as a precious gift. I have been able to enhance my competencies, refresh skills, and continue to grow. It’s also been an opportunity to reflect on who I am, what my values are, and what I want out of life.”
Photo: Silke and her husband on Reunion Island
All Global Connection’s corporate clients are leading multinationals. Due to some of their policies, we do not use their name in public articles. However, expat partners signed in to our private Media & Network can see the multinational’s name.
