As another year draws to a close, perhaps it’s worth pausing to reflect on how the Global Mobility industry can support partners in finding meaning beyond logistics, job searches and checklists. Could Proust (of all people) help us view our work with new eyes?
An effective guide
Apparently Marcel Proust never lived outside France, so what – you may ask – would he know about Global Mobility in the 21st century? But if we put ourselves in the shoes of expat partners, I believe France’s most famous man of letters might be a useful mentor. When they are struggling to find their feet with no formal role in their host country, he would surely teach them to savour the moment, to lean into the discomfort and perhaps discover, in its strangeness, the seeds of their future belonging.
The beauty of the everyday
Through our work at Global Connection, we’re continually reminded that many expat partners arrive in a new country with grand visions of adventure, only to be sideswiped by the humbling work of establishing normality. Compared to their partner, who has an enviable sense of purpose (and a clear schedule), they might find themselves wandering around, feeling disoriented or simply lost on a weekday morning. That is when Proust would surely urge them to slow down and admire the details of daily life. Or as he put it: “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”
Left to the side
After relocating, many expat partners can feel a little rootless, even voiceless – like a side character in someone else’s story. But if they were to channel their inner Proust, they may learn to see that almost everything can take on new meaning. So when their partner heads to the office on Monday morning, they should be encouraged to take a meditative stroll and observe the world around them. Who knows – perhaps they will have their own ‘madeleine moment’, sparked by a scent, a taste, or a fleeting emotion, along the way.
The truth lies beyond
For us as Global Mobility professionals, I feel Proust would also tell us that supporting partners and contributing to an assignment’s success requires much more than technical guidance and financial support. Encouraging curiosity, connection, and reflection can also help expat partners turn unfamiliar territory into a deeply personal and rewarding international experience. Our consultants often tell partners who are struggling with isolation or uncertainty that it’s not about fitting in seamlessly, or figuring it all out by day three. It is an ongoing journey with twists and turns. But as Proust put it: “We must never be afraid to go too far, for truth lies beyond.”
Connla Stokes is head writer for Global Connection’s media
