“Not many expat partners come to me with ideas for radical change in their careers,” says Global Connection consultant Josien Berkenvelder. “It is natural for people to stick with what they know.”
Little room to manoeuvre
“Moving to a different time zone, climate, country, language and culture brings so much upheaval that it is hardly surprising expat partners want their work to stay the same,” she continues. “They feel there is no room to concentrate on anything new for themselves. After all, it is usually up to them to organise home life.”
New perspective
Take Belgian Philips expat partner and successful author Ina Vandewijer. She dreaded moving to Italy. All she wanted was to stay close to home and hold on to her audience in the same way she’d always done. A Needs Assessment with Josien helped Ina see her situation in a new light and her writing career developed in new and exciting directions, including working with contacts in Hollywood to turn one of her books into a movie script.
Freedom to explore
“Once her perspective on her situation had changed, Ina came up with some great ideas to move forward,” says Josien. “As a Global Connection consultant, I want expat partners to realise that moving abroad offers a unique chance: away from the usual pressures, you have freedom to explore whatever it is you want to do.”
