Hi Everyone! It has been three months since we last blogged, but that is because we only just found something fabulous to tell you...
MyDestination.com, in partnership with Hotels.com, Travelex and Viator, have just launched an awesome competition that should excite both expats and short-term travelers alike. It is called the "Biggest, Baddest, Bucket List" competition and here is the prize:
SIX MONTHS. SIX CONTINENTS. ALL EXPENSES PAID.
PLUS $50K IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WHEN YOU RETURN HOME.
For more details, please click here, enter, give it a shout out on your social networks, tell your friends, go for it and good luck!
Warmest wishes, Andrea
Disclaimer: We have not received any compensation for this shout-out. We just wanted to help our friends at MyDestination, who sponsored ExpatWomen.com before we 'took a break'.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
"Biggest Baddest Bucket List" Travel Competition
Friday, August 12, 2011
Missed Some Great Expat Links on Twitter? (12-13 August edition)
Hello Everyone, Here are some great expat-related links I have tweeted recently, that might interest you. Enjoy! Andrea
Finding Opportunities and Creating Meaning, by Expat Life Coach, John Falchetto
http://twrt.me/ih35w
Follow Your Dreams and Find Yourself - Melissa Adams (A Divorcee's Good-News Story: She left the U.S. for Europe)
http://bit.ly/ovgepS
American Expat Abroad? FAWCO says 31 Aug is deadline for IRS OVDI program (for unfiled tax returns since 2003)
http://bit.ly/nkJQbv
Best Countries for Adventure Travel
twrt.me/u867e
Any Other Expats Feeling Alone?
http://bit.ly/q7meVz
Identity Crisis: The Traveller Who Isn't Traveling
is.gd/kqSQkw
Expat Finder Launches in German
http://bit.ly/p5tpea
New Site: Expat Workforce: Aims to Link Employers with Expat Talent Abroad
http://bit.ly/qdQqHh
How Expats Holiday Differently: New Blog Post from Chelsea Girl in China, on the UK's Telegraph Expat site
fb.me/E3qqWXxZ
Your Relocation Could Help Charity Projects
bit.ly/nha5KY
64.5 Ways Location Independent People Earn a Living
http://bit.ly/nOvbJw
Travel Photo Contest - Win Free Air Asia flights with the Koolred Colourful Photo Contest (Ends 26 August)
bit.ly/nX918z
Survey: Can You Help? Masters Student at Strathclyde Business School: Survey about Working Conditions Abroad
bit.ly/o0sNhY
Working Expats: Can You Help? Psychology Student at Bielefeld University in Germany: Survey about Job Satisfaction and Adjustment
http://bit.ly/mXVsXf
Expat Women - Can You Help? - PhD Student's Survey RE Expat Women and Cultural Intelligence
http://bit.ly/mWi5pe
**
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
August 2011 Edition of Mobility Magazine Online
Hi Everyone, If you are in the expat, global mobility and/or relocation industries, you may be interested in the August 2011 edition of Worldwide ERC®'s Mobility Magazine, which features the following:
Multicultural Mavens: Getting Savvy about Buyers and Business
By Anita Brienza, GMS
DOA: Death on Assignment
By Erin Fitzgerald
Moving Families to Asia? Caution: Think Schooling First
By Liz Perelstein
The Case for Cross-Cultural Training
By Brenda Bellon
Leveraging Effective Communications in Multiple-Culture Business Environments
By Lorelei Carobolante, GPHR, SCRP, SGMS
BRICs? So What? What Now?
By Gary Dittrich, GMS
Destination Profile: India
By Anne Dean, GMS, and Anita Krishnaswamy
Tackling the Issues of Hiring NRIs
By Aseem Juneja and Jennifer Kumar
Recruitment and Retention in India: Finding Snakes and Ladders in the Darkness
By Ranjini Manian
Smart (and Smarter) Communications
By Tabitha Parker
Happy reading! Andrea
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Are You An American Expat Abroad?
Hi Everyone, If you are an American expat, here is some important information released this week by FAWCO (Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas), with regards to tax returns and the IRS.
We would not usually highlight tax information for any one specific nationality, given we have members from 175 nationalities. However, one-third of our members are American, and this did seem important. Please ignore this if it does not apply to you. Thanks.
From FAWCO:
"Under the US tax system, US persons - citizens, green card holders and residents - are required to file annual US income tax returns reporting worldwide income. It is a legal obligation to ensure that "true and accurate" returns are filed with the IRS in a timely way to avoid risks of numerous penalties and, potentially, criminal prosecution.
Recently, the IRS has sent a strong message to US taxpayers residing abroad who may not yet have complied with their US income tax obligations. Taking advantage of the recently announced IRS "Overseas Voluntary Disclosure" program can potentially help taxpayers reduce penalties and avoid prosecution.
Note that OVDI is not the best solution for all US persons and not all US persons are eligible for the program. As always in the past, FAWCO strongly recommends that you consult a tax professional but, given the August 31 deadline for OVDI, you should do so quickly!
What is OVDI?
The 2011 OVDI is the latest in a number of efforts by the United States Government to encourage US persons who have not complied with their various US tax and related reporting requirements to become compliant.
The IRS has stated that the 2011 program is the non-compliant taxpayer's "last best chance" to come forward with an element of "certainty" on the amount owed to the US government. After this, the implications are that the IRS will use its full arsenal of penalties, and the possibility of criminal prosecution, to aggressively find and "punish" the non-compliant taxpayer.
What is required under OVDI?
The taxpayer must file all delinquent or amended returns and additional reporting obligations for 2003 through 2010 calendar years.
The taxpayer must pay all taxes, penalties and interest charges.
The deadline for participation in OVDI is 31 August 2011. This may be extended by 90 days if a request is submitted by this date.
What are the benefits of OVDI?
Under OVDI, individuals accepted into the program can avoid criminal prosecution. Costs, penalties and interest charges are clear and the individual has the peace of mind of being fully up to date and compliant. While there are alternative disclosure procedures, OVDI may provide the best opportunity for the lower fixed penalties for becoming compliant.
Click here for the full article on the FAWCO website, prepared with information for which we very much thank US Tax & Financial Services Ltd in London.
Please share this information with others around you..."
Thursday, July 7, 2011
July 2011 Edition of Mobility Magazine Online
Hi Everyone, If you are in the expat, global mobility and/or relocation industries, you may be interested in the July 2011 edition of Worldwide ERC®'s Mobility Magazine, which features the following:
Short Sales and Clawbacks and Lies, Oh My!
By Bruce Perlman, Sr., SCRP
How to Guarantee Inventory Elimination
By Jill Heineck, CRP
Functionality and Appeal Is the New Square Footage
By Jeneene Rydberg, Sherrie Witte, CRP, and David McMurtrie, CRP
Become a Mobility Enabler: the 12-Step Program Part 2
By Tom Bruhn, CRP
Reservations Required
By Eric Reed, CRP, GMS
Destination Profile: Latin America
By Anne Dean, GMS, and Rita Hernandez, CRP, GMS
Three Men Make a Tiger: the Mythology of Chinese Business Culture
By Erin Meyer and Elisabeth Shen
Passing the Baton: (Sudden) Succession Planning
By Anita Brienza, GMS
The Rise of Serviced Apartments in the United Kingdom
By Alison Hull
Temporary Housing: Five Ways to Take Out the Stress
By Amanda Cook
Happy reading! Andrea
Monday, June 6, 2011
June 2011 Edition of Mobility Magazine Online
Hi Everyone, If you are in the expat, global mobility and/or relocation industries, you may be interested in the June 2011 edition of the Worldwide ERC® Mobility Magazine, which features the following:
Current Trends in Business Immigration Compliance and Enforcement
By Brendan Ryan
Are Fingerprint Scanners in Our Immigration Compliance Future?
By Lynden D. Melmed
Working Together on the Immigration Puzzle
By Jasmine A. Majid and Rebecca K. Peters
Global Standpoints on Workplace Harassment
By Stephanie R. Schreck, SCRP, SGMS
Middle East Culture Redux
By Sean Dubberke
Destination Profile: Spain
By Ellen Harris, GMS and Rosa Escalona, CERP2
Risk and Relocation: How Consistency Can Drive Success During the Homesale
By Anne Bodin and Pam Milani, CRP
Become a Mobility Enabler: the 12-Step Program: Part 1
By Tom Bruhn, CRP
Prepping and Training for Mobility and the London Olympics
By Caroline Meszaros-Suard
Happy reading! Andrea
Sunday, June 5, 2011
FIGT Conference - 2012 Dates Announced & Speaker Proposals Now Invited
Friday, May 20, 2011
Are You Interested in the W.I.N. Conference in Rome this October?
Hi Everyone, If you are interested in attending this year's Women's International Networking (W.I.N.) conference, then good news... registrations are now open and, on top of the early bird pricing (which runs until 22 June), if you mention "ExpatWomen.com" you are eligible to receive another 100 Euros off.
When? 5 - 7 (8) October 2011
Where? Rome, Italy
More details? www.winconference.net
"Every year, the W.I.N. global leadership conference, a three-day global learning program, brings together over 1000 people from more than 70 countries including: company executives, entrepreneurs, independent professionals, consultants, academics, artists, thought leaders, government and NGO representatives, international business school faculty and students.
The W.I.N. approach to the three-day learning event is based on “world”- a global overview; “work”- professional and career issues; and “you” - leadership and personal growth. They are distinctly feminine and focus on learning, creativity, exploring and applying feminine power, and accelerating innovation and change. The program is carefully designed based on a systems approach and a vision for the future based on sensitivity and increased global and feminine consciousness."
It has been a while since I attended a W.I.N. conference (2007, Oslo), and I cannot go this year, but I have only got good memories of the conference and I have only ever heard positive comments from more recent participants. In comparison to some other conferences I have attended, Kristin Engvig's humility and passion is to be applauded and I highly recommend the conference to any forward-thinking woman interested in being inspired by, and networking with, a large group of wonderful women. So think about going, and if you go, enjoy the experience! Andrea
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Expat Women Bloggers & Expat Women Book - Tatiana von Tauber's Review & Confession
Hi Everyone, We were so impressed this week with a heartfelt blog post by expat blogger Tatiana von Tauber, which mixes a review of our new book, Expat Women: Confessions - 50 Answers to Your Real-Life Questions about Living Abroad, with a real honesty about Tatiana's personal experiences, that we asked Tatiana if we could republish it on our blog, and she kindly agreed, so here it is!
Expat Blogger: Tatiana von Tauber
Blog: United We Stand: Dreams of a Passionate Expat
Blog Description: It's about the journey of an American expat and artist in Germany, who has come to the conclusion that no country deserves her total loyalty and freedom is much more complicated than is conventionally taught.
Blog post: Everyone Loves a Little Confession and a Sports Car
Date: May 7, 2011
I was very honored to have ExpatWomen.com approach me to review their new book Expat Women: Confessions. Little did I realize that reading it would provide food for thought even though I considered myself a seasoned expat. Seems I may need a few dashes of salt to round out the seasoned aspect!
My transition back to Germany hasn’t been easy. It’s only been three months or so since I’ve been here and it feels like a year has passed with little but uggs following me and I’m not talking the shoes. While reading Expat Women: Confessions I was (embarrassingly) surprised at how much I empathized with the many questions and answers presented. In fact, I think the book actually helped me see that some of what I’m going through is quite normal and it helped to read other expats have similar feelings especially with reintegration. One would think everything would be just fine now that I’m finally back but truth is I’m not. It’s not the same.
I’m in a completely new city which creates new dynamics. My family structure, once in rhythm, is now majorly off and it affects everything negatively. I went from feeling like a superwoman just 6 months ago to feeling like a crazy maniac. I didn’t expect this much confusion. Worse, I miss America? What is that all about? Who is this woman?! According to Expat Women: Confessions I’m not feeling anything different than other women who have had it all only to give it up for new opportunity. It’s really comforting to know my feelings are common.
In the expat world, I’m not exactly the social bug. As an artist and writer I’m bound to a lot of alone time. I have my few expat friends and we all began about the same time. We consider ourselves relatively seasoned, though some have had their dash of salt already. Often when a newbie approaches us with the “I’m moving abroad” enthusiasm we kinda – though respectfully – roll our eyes. “Oh honey, living overseas is sooooo not the fairy tale you think” we say to ourselves. Of course, we were once in those shoes so we understand the excitement and the naivety. What Expat Women: Confessions does is it presents the reality with viable solutions and heart-felt realism without killing the fantasy and that’s worth gold.
Expat Women: Confessions is a must have for all female expats, novice, in between or seasoned because no matter what we sometimes forget being an expat makes us different than the rest and our problems just aren’t understood by the “norm”. Full of antidotes and “chicken soup” advice I feel better about my blues already. Yes readjustment is tough. Yes my 5 y/o is killing my appreciation for motherhood because she’s not adjusting or understanding why we’re here and not “home”. Yes we miss our house, my large kitchen and our family is currently undergoing an enormous rift. Yes I’ve hit episodes of depression, gained over 10 lbs (!!!) since the move but more than that yes, I DO want to be here damn it so I’m going to take some of the advice offered in the book and simply get over it and find solutions. It’s that or crawl into a hole.
Living abroad is the best adventure I’ve ever been on and if I wanted to discuss the blandness of life I’d have stayed put in suburbia. I thank this book for reminding me about that and about the natural process of grieving what once was. While suburbia may be a calmer life that has moderate enjoyment, it’s otherwise boring. Plus, my family back home just doesn’t get me anymore, another common expat detail we often forget to mention. Once positive relationships have soured and in many ways I feel other expat women are more my family than my own. Perhaps I needed a little slap into reality to refocus and discover again WHY I’m an expat. Adventure isn’t easy and that’s why most people only dream of doing what few of us are actually living.
Thanks Andrea Martins and Victoria Hepworth for putting Expat Women: Confessions together (and for ExpatWomen.com!). I didn’t think I needed the advice. I was just reading for a review but now I feel as though I’ve had a wonderful girlfriend therapy session. The allergy meds are working, the sun is out AND I’ve decided to pursue an adaptation of The Art Cure here in Wiesbaden (more on that later).
To other expats struggling to adjust, since it takes time, use it wisely: grab a cup of coffee at your local cafe and sit down with a copy of Expat Women: Confessions. It’s the best start to a fresh and positive perspective. It’s all about sticking your head out your comfort zone and seeing what’s out there.
Tatiana
***Important: If you are a female expat blogger who would also like a review e-copy of our book (so if you like it, you can write about it on your blog), please get in touch here (and remember to tell us your blog's URL). Thanks so much! Andrea***
Monday, May 9, 2011
May 2011 Edition of Mobility Magazine Online
Hi Everyone, If you are in the expat, global mobility and/or relocation industries, you may be interested in the May 2011 edition of the Worldwide ERC® Mobility Magazine, which features the following:
Checking in on Mobility Services Procurement
By Frank Mauck
Managing Relocation Service Delivery Risk—Audit and Forget It!
By Jill Heineck, CRP
Delivering a Knock-out Mobility Services Partnership
By Tracey Gatlin, CRP
Adapt and Adjust—Managing Change in Employee Mobility
By Margie Dillon, CRP, GMS, PHR, and Kate Kelley-Dilts, SCERP, SCRP, SGMS
Managing Relocation in a Changing Corporate Environment: On-demand Information Required
By Joseph Morabito, SCRP
Property Management: Getting the Details Right
By James Conigliaro, CRP, GMS, and Ghadeer Hasan, CRP, GMS
(Not) Leaving Las Vegas
By Tim McCarney, GMS
Worldwide ERC® Regional Groups: Act Locally and Think Industry!
By Bill Mulholland, CRP, GMS
Advice for First-time Conference Attendees
By Chris Chalk, CRP, GMS
Happy reading! Andrea
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Just Released! 2011 Global Relocation Trends Survey Report (Expats)
Hi Everyone, The annual, well-respected and highly quoted Global Relocation Trends Survey Report has just been released, by Brookfield Global Relocation Services.
Here are some excerpts from their press release today:
* 61 percent of global companies surveyed are expecting to transfer more employees in 2011 than in recent years, according to the just-released 2011 Global Relocation Trends Survey Report, published by Brookfield Global Relocation Services.
* The percentage of new hires for international assignments hits an all-time low (8 percent).
* Meanwhile, only 9 percent of international assignees are 20 to 29 years old (tied for the lowest percentage in the report's history).
* While there are some signs of improvement, obtaining spouse/partner employment during international assignments continues to be a struggle. In this report, 60 percent of spouses/partners were employed before but just 12 percent during assignments.
* 18 percent of international assignees were women, compared to a historical average of 16 percent.
* 68 percent of international assignees were married and less than half (47 percent) had children accompanying them, an all-time low.
* Just 74 percent of companies provided cross-cultural preparation - the lowest percentage in the history of this report -While this benefit may be an easy one to cut to reduce costs, it is difficult to ensure the quality of web-based or self-service cross-cultural preparation that is usually offered as an alternative.
* As a consequence, although companies are increasingly focusing on cost reductions and efficiencies in their international relocation operations, amazingly, 92 percent of companies did not formally measure return on investment (ROI). When asked why, 50 percent of respondents indicated that the principal reason for not measuring ROI is that they do not know how to achieve it.
* China, Brazil and India are top emerging destinations; China, India and Russia cited as most challenging destinations for both expats and relocation managers.
* The location of a company's headquarters is a significant factor in that company's optimism: Those headquartered in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) were more optimistic than their counterparts with headquarters in North America. For example, 64 percent of EMEA-based companies expected to send more employees on assignment this year, versus 58 percent of companies based in North America.
In all, 118 multinational firms participated in the worldwide survey; combined, these firms manage a worldwide employee population of 5.6 million. Brookfield Global Relocation Services will present key findings of its 2011 survey on Thursday, April 21, during a complimentary webinar that will provide a comparative analysis of the key global mobility issues facing businesses today. All webinar attendees will receive the full Global Relocation Trends Survey report. To register, please click here.
Brookfield Global Relocation Services is a full service provider of corporate and government relocation and assignment management services to more than 250 corporate and government clients. Brookfield Global Relocation Services manages over 50,000 relocations in more than 110 countries throughout the world, and funds over $3.6 billion dollars in relocation expenses annually. Brookfield Global Relocation Services is an operating company of Brookfield Residential Property Services, a leading global provider of real estate and relocation services, technology, and knowledge.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
April 2011 Edition of Mobility Magazine Online
Hi Everyone, If you are in the expat, global mobility and/or relocation industries, you may be interested in the April 2011 edition of the Worldwide ERC® Mobility Magazine, which features the following:
The Big Squeeze... After You Think You’ve Gotten It All: More Policy Savings
By Ellie Sullivan, SCRP, SGMS and Tim McCarney, GMS
Perfect Partners: Trusted Advisors and Educated Clients
By Anita Brienza, GMS
Demystifying Personal Finance for American Expatriates
By Andrew Fisher
Expats: the Pitfalls of Parting Company
By Nino Nelissen, SGMS
All for One and One for All: an Examination of Lump-sum Programs
By Marti Briney, CRP, SGMS
Destination Profile: Saudi Arabia
By Mohamad Hadbaoui and Duncan Lawson
Skill Set Switch: the Challenges and Changes in the Higher Education Relocation Market
By Helen McNeece, CMC, CRP and Jean Mann, GMS
Get on the Retention Train: Three Ways to Eliminate Complacency, Prove Competency (and Retain More Clients!)
By Jill Heineck, CRP
Happy reading! Andrea
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Want To Know Who's Speaking At The 2011 FIGT Conference?
Hi Everyone, Our friends at FIGT (Families in Global Transition) have now published details of who will be speaking, and about what, at their upcoming conference in Washington (March 17-19) and they have kindly allowed us to republish the information for you here...
Unleashing Your Creative Potential Through the Arts
Alaine Handa
Do you get a “block” trying to write your article/book, choreograph a dance, paint a picture, design an outfit, etc.? In this session, mini-activities using movement, character writing, art therapy, and free-write will be introduced, to help you unlock creative potential that can become material for your work. TCKs are rich with unconscious thoughts that may or may not have been repressed. By unleashing these vulnerable thoughts, we let go of what we have kept “locked” inside and can use it as material to move on with our mobile lives.
Does where you're from make a difference? Comparing American and Japanese TCKs
Ann Baker Cottrell
Nearly all TCK research is based on American or Japanese TCKs. A review of these literatures, including findings from a study of over 600 American ATCKs, reveals themes in common to TCKs. It also makes clear that the TCK experience, especially on re-entry, is shaped by socio-cultural characteristics and history of the passport country. TCKs from other countries will be encouraged to share their experiences and how they are similar to or different from American or Japanese TCKs.
Death from a Distance: Practical and Emotional Guidance
Apple Gidley & Laura Stephens
Death is not something we like to talk about and wherever you live is difficult to handle. Add an ocean between you and your aging loved ones and the issues can be magnified. This session aims to provide a greater awareness and understanding of the challenges of dealing with aging parents and death from a distance. Apple Gidley will share her experiences, both practical and emotional, and Laura Stephens will draw on her therapeutic training to offer clarity around the process of grief and related issues.
Department of State Support to Foreign Service Families
Archana Dheer
Department of State is a leader in the field of preparing its employees and family members for overseas assignments. While many organizations provide the required training to employees, we focus also on the accompanying family member. Transition Center at FSI runs training courses, seminars and workshops to cover many aspects of international life that are a challenge to these families. It can be traveling with pets, recognition of gay couples as family, relevant allowances, adequate education for special needs children, employment opportunities for family members, etc. What all does the department do? How does it do it?
Perspective Coaching: Empowering Expatriates with Choice and Action
Becky Matchullis
Using perspective to one’s advantage is a key factor in moving forward with courage and resiliency in the expatriate life, especially during transition. Going to a new perspective expands the way to look at a situation by creating new possibilities – leading to choice. This workshop is for both expatriate coach as well as expatriate. Interactive and experiential, you will learn when perspective coaching is most strategic, where to find perspectives, and the 4 step process of Perspective Coaching.
The Teen Perspective on Transition
Caitlin Morse & Amy Casteel
International schools, coaches, parents, sponsoring organizations and others will discover how teens perceive transition and what contributes to successful transitions, based on the responses of 100+ teens. This session will use survey results, video interviews, case studies, 15 years of experience working with TCKs, and audience participation to explore what transitions are really like for youth. Participants will be equipped with strategies for making transitions successful for teens.
We’re All in This Together! Navigational Strategies for Intercultural Intersections of School Communities
Candice Hughes
This session focuses on the multiple intercultural intersections that exist in school communities comprised of diverse populations that represent host country and other cultures. The cultural iceberg metaphor and a framework of intercultural knowledge and skills will be used to demonstrate how these intersections can be navigated by students, families and staff members to allow learning to occur in an environment of acceptance and tolerance. Participants will engage in a set of exercises to learn how to analyze school settings to identify potential problematic intercultural intersections and learn how to help community members navigate them successfully in their respective roles.
Traveling beyond the Limitations of Identity
Carolyn Vines
Everyone has an identity that's been foisted upon him/her by family, community, culture, religion and/or nationality. Everyone experiences various crises of identity caused by those prefabricated identities. However, not everyone recognizes these crises as opportunities to search within for a definition of self in one's own terms, on one's own terms. The objective is to help participants recognize that identity can be the fiercest of limitations on one's personal growth potential and to identify some tools for seeing/defining themselves in different terms.
TeamWork ABC
(Availability/Being Prepared/Communicating) = SEE! (success in expatriation experience)
Chantal Duke
Show how understanding of expatriation concepts and potential issues can benefit the employee, family and the company’s relocating staff during different cycles of the adaptation process.
Finding The TCK Voice: A Personal Journey Through Art, Creativity and Intuition
Cheilaugh Garvey
What is art? Art is creation, imagination, recording, investigation, arbitration and culmination. It helps define our existence and makes us less alone and frees our frustration. Anonymous. Don't be afraid of the "art part"! No previous experience required! In this hands-on workshop, you will learn to tap into your own intuitive creativity in order to discover your distinctive TCK voice. Everyone's experience is different! Through a variety of fun and informal creative exercises, you will find ways to visualize and verbalize your experiences as a TCK or ex-pat. This process will evoke memories and emotions and help you to reconnect with your cross-cultural experiences. Through art and journaling, you will express your personal voice and embark on a journey of reflection, reevaluation and growth. The influences and perceptions of living abroad will also be explored. Enjoy the process and conversations during this enlightening workshop.
The Modern Expat
Diane Endo
The notion of acculturation seems to be disappearing from the verbal and mental vocabulary of today’s expats. Shorter assignments, ease of global travel, technology, and busy work and family life are several reasons why expats today are more apt to opt out of total immersion in their host country culture. This session will introduce modern methods for being a resident in a foreign culture.
Choosing the right expat support services for every budget
Doris Fuellgrabe
Are you organizing relocations while juggling a tight budget? Are you wondering which support fits best for individual cases? In this session, participants will explore different areas of expat support services and receive practical resources how to choose which ones are right for them. This is not a sales presentation! We are going to look at the advantages and limitations of language training, readiness assessments, destination services, cross-cultural and repatriation training, and expat coaching. Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences, thereby creating a synergetic exchange of information among the group.
Developing a Personal Model of Resiliency for Expatriates
Duncan Westwood
An interactive workshop that trains participants to identify, build and strengthen a model of personal resilience with expatriates. Expatriate employees, spouses, TCKs and their service providers will personally and professionally benefit from learning how to foster resiliency in themselves and/or coach others to do so. Relevant findings from the research on expatriate resiliency will be an integral part of our interactive learning.
The Impact of Confucianism on Asians' Crossing Culture
Isabelle DS Min
Our values and languages shape the way we see the world. Just as most western view of the world were shaped by the Greek philosophies, Confucianism dictates Asians’ perspectives (Richard Nisbet “The Geography of Thought”). Confucianism, among other things, is highly hierarchical, relationship based perspective of the world. Among many Asian nations, Confucianism still holds a strong grip in Korea where there still exist 7 levels of honorifics. This session uses real life examples to illustrate how Confucianism still thrives in Korean life and business and offers practical solutions for smooth transition into such Asian mindset.
Increasing importance of expat partner support
Jacqueline Van Haaften
Companies and organisations are offering all kinds of assistance to the partners of the employees whom they are sending abroad. They have good reason to do so. But just how effective is their help? What are the trends? And how do the partners themselves feel about the support they receive? In order to answer these questions, Global Connection conducted a survey among its members around the world, mainly traditional expatriates, although the ‘expat-light’ trend is starting to emerge. The expats surveyed were posted abroad by a total of more than 50 organisations.
Blogs, books and bylines - How getting in print will boost your global business
Jo Parfitt
Do you want to stand out from the crowd and get more clients? Then you need to increase your client base and your profile through writing and getting into print. From writing a blog, to articles, booklets and books, there are many ways to increase your Googlability. This workshop will discuss how writing can help you to achieve expert status, passive income and an impressive Internet presence. Learn how to use the power of blogging, Twitter, booklets and books to grow an impressive business regardless of where you may live.
Action, Identity, Success or Failure: What makes an expat child grow?
Julia Simens
When does a child take failure from an action (I failed) to an identity (I am a failure) and why this follows them around the world as they relocate. Pick up some practical tips on how to make those around you ‘grow’. The view you adapt for yourself or the view your child takes on profoundly affects the way each of you lead your life. Listen to parents and teachers give comments and compare them to what a child really hears. Learn what is the most common mistake we make and how it can hinder motivation and performance.
Cross-Cultural Career Counseling and Job Search Coaching:
Supporting Accompanying Expatriate Spouses or Partners
Katarina Holm-DiDio
This session explores how a career counselor or job search coach can support the expatriate in a job search process in a country different than her/his passport country. We will discuss how to be mindful about cultural differences in career development and in career related values; how to find ways to help the client identify his or her values, strengths and challenges as an expatriate and ways to address them in the global job search context; how to assist the client to understand and address the employers/recruiters concerns about hiring an expatriate, and by exploring cultural differences in networking and job interviewing.
Advocating for Families – Ensuring the Voices of Families Are Heard
Kathleen Moakler
The families represented at this FIGT conference have all experienced global transition. They face the challenges of everyday family life enhanced by the additional stresses of changing environments and locations. Military families face these challenges as well. The National Military Family Association was formed to empower military families to become their own best advocates for addressing these challenges in their Nation or in their neighborhood. They are military family members serving other military families. They have grown to be a credible information resource for those families and for the policy makers that serve them. We will discuss how to form and sustain an advocacy organization, why it is important, and how we serve our constituents. We will trace our growth over 40 years and how we have had to adapt to changes. We will invite all sectors to brainstorm on how they could use this model to advocate for the needs of their families.
Oh the Places We Will Go: A Look at the Cross-cultural Adjustment Process of Expatriate Families in a Multinational Organization
Katie Rosenbusch & Len Cerny
Currently, there is limited research evidence on the cross‐cultural adjustment of expatriate families; therefore, there is a need to develop a better understanding of the impact that family makes on the cross‐cultural transition. This study investigated the impact of the family characteristics ‐ family cohesion and family flexibility‐ on the cross‐cultural adjustment process from the perspective of the expatriate and his/her spouse and child. The findings of this research provide insights to organizations and their HRD professionals as well as to the expatriates and their families on how family flexibility impacts cross-cultural adjustment.
Crossing Sectors for Good Practice: Practical Lessons from International Mission/Aid
Kelly O'Donnell
Go and grow broadly. This presentation looks at the importance of interacting with different sectors on behalf of our international work with staff and their families. How can we take advantage of the wealth of opportunities for connecting and contributing to various international sectors? We’ll share personal stories, key concepts, and practical grids based on the presenter’s 30 years of experience in the humanitarian and mission sectors. Crossing sectors involves three overlapping areas:
• Crossing domains (e.g., health care, human rights)
• Crossing disciplines (e.g., human resource management, organizational management)
• Crossing deserts (e.g., personal challenges in the context of challenging work).
Getting the Most from an International Education: A How To Guide for Parents and HR
Laila Plamondon
Navigating life abroad can be daunting. Faced with tough decisions and life changes, parents often opt for the safest options... However more and more parents want a true global experience for their children; increasingly expensive international schools are just not an option. We’ll explore ways to get the most from every international education, from day-long activities to the ultimate immersion experience of attending a local school. We’ll discuss common dilemmas and long-term pitfalls, and share new strategies and trade secrets to help make the most of every international educational experience.
Through Western Eyes
Lesley Lewis & Betty Eng
Using the Whole Person Development concept along with Personal Experiences, Journal Entries and Narrative Inquiries (storytelling) of forty-five Hong Kong Chinese and ten Mainland Chinese undergraduate students - this presentation will present "cutting edge" findings and solutions to work with TCK's from China. There are many Asian students and adults moving internationally. The session will discuss the approaches to working with Asian Students in a most effective fashion allowing the students to feel they are "being heard" and how as professionals we can be culturally sensitive to their needs using the Whole Person Development approach.
Adjusting to Life in Brookline: A community-based program to help new international families in their adjustment to a new country.
Liliana Busconi, Andrew Miser & Mindy Paulo
People moving to another country are faced with cross-cultural dilemmas, such as lack of understanding of the social norms and rules, challenges to their personal and cultural values, inability to communicate, disruption of family functioning and loss of identity. This session will present a description of a successful free community-based intercultural program developed to support newcomers in the process of adjusting to life in a new community. We will analyze the benefits of a community-based program, present the program curriculum and cross-cultural activities and discuss the possibility of reproducing similar programs in other communities.
The World Bank Family Network, a long success story: a professional volunteer based support network
Maaike Le Grand
Volunteers can play a unique and determining role in welcoming relocating families and easing their transition in their new environment. The World Bank Family Network is a case in point. A group of some seventy spouses of the WBG staff volunteer their time welcoming around 500 families per year and organizing as many as 30 activities per month as well as 9 big events per year. This is done seamlessly and efficiently despite the transient commitment of the volunteers and with the help of only 3 WBG full time staff. What makes this work and what lessons can be drawn for other institutions?
Strengthening Resiliency in Military Children: Insights for Military Parents, Teachers, Counselors, Youth Leaders, Clergy and Other Helping Professionals
Mary Wertsch
All military children face tough challenges: repeated uprootings; caregiver adults who disappear to the combat zone; the delicate daily negotiation of fitting into both military culture and the radically different civilian culture around it. That's just for starters. There can also be the tensions of a blended family; a warrior parent dealing with high stress or trauma; a family member with an addiction. Can anything be done to help military children weather these storms? Yes. This session will teach participants a paradigm for helping military kids find the inner strength to survive and thrive, whatever the emotional weather.
Writing the Story of Your Overseas Experience
Maureen Sullivan Romagnoli
The world is made not of atoms, but of stories. These are the words of the poet Muriel Rukyser. We define our lives and our experiences through the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we tell others. The challenges you have faced and the incredible education you have acquired about living and working overseas is filled with a myriad of stories that need to be set down in some systematic manner. This workshop is the place to start. It will provide you with the questions you need to ask yourself in order to begin to record your story.
Best Practices in International Assignee Cross-cultural Training and Support
Neal Goodman
In this very interactive session we will share and examine the latest best practices that contribute to a successful cross-cultural training program. These include: training methodologies, use of technologies, social networks, and support services which promote the successful integration of international assignees and their families into their new host country and their successful repatriation back home. Attendees will be asked to share their experiences and best practices and a Model of a successful cross-cultural training and support process will be presented and examined. Each participant will be expected to develop a minimum of one action item to implement immediately.
When Friendship Becomes A Weapon, Exploring TCK Relational Aggression in International School Students
Noel Roberts
Relational Aggression is not a new concept but is still understudied in certain settings especially as it relates to TCK’s in the international school environment. Building on David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken’s work, “Third Culture Kids”, this workshop begins to investigate the complex friendships of TCK International students between transitions. We explore how issues of unresolved grief, guardedness, rejection, cultural miscues and unfulfilled expectations in both students and their parents, entangle and fuel TCK relational aggression. The workshop offers solid strategies for caregivers to help them learn how to unravel and disengage from these destructive relationships.
One Woman’s Air Force: Professional Opportunities and Personal Challenges of Women in the Military
Paulette Bethel
Women make up a growing component of the US military, especially in the last decade. Currently, women represent 14% of the US active duty forces and 20% of new military recruits. Current research findings and interviews with military women will be presented through the lens of the presenter's personal experiences to explore and “connect the dots” regarding the benefits and challenges of a military career. Discussion topics will include single parenthood, dual-military marriages; deployment issues; family adjustment issues, including medical and mental health impacts on mothers and their children. Suggestions will be offered for areas where further research is needed.
How Can EAP’s Retool to Address the Global Business Demands and the Familial Need of the Expatriate
Philip Berry & Tom Diamante
As companies and organizations increase their global focus, the value of the expatriate assignment is rising. However, the expatriate, like the domestic employee cannot focus on the job when family concerns are pressing. On the global business stage, the work-life dynamic is complicated by cross-cultural elements and added familial issues. Research indicates that family/cultural adaptation and on-going support is critical to retention of talent overseas. Pre-transition, during assignment and post-transition (repatriation) periods each require focused attention. We will explore the strategic integration of technological, organizational, social and familial elements critical to business success in the context of “transitions” on a global level.
The Resilience Doughnut: A strengths-based model for building resiliency and a route to solutions for the transition issues faced by young people
Stephanie Schwarz
The Resilience Doughnut (created by Lyn Worsley) is a practical, strength-based model for building resilience in young people. It considers how to enhance internal positive beliefs and make use of seven external life factors to develop resilience. This session introduces the model and applies it to a case example. It then explores why, at times of global transition, young people’s resiliency is particularly vulnerable before exploring strategies for parents and schools to help transitioning children remain resilient. Finally, participants will see how the model informs an International School’s “Transition Mentoring Program”, which works with new Elementary students to speed and smooth their transition into school.
ATCK Repatriation Challenges: Counseling Needs and Techniques
Tina Quick & Lois Bushong
Once ATCKs step out of the international, highly mobile third culture, they begin to witness differences between themselves and others who have grown up in more traditional cultures. Counselors, EAP providers and member care directors will benefit from this anecdotal filled session that looks at the issues young adult TCKs struggle with upon repatriation and how they can be helped to navigate the deep waters of adjusting to the new culture of their home country. Stories and video clips will be interspersed with counseling techniques and treatment plans in the therapy office for helping ATCKs cope with grief, identity questions, relationship challenges, belonging, old wounds and other themes.
FIGT is always a great conference: educational sessions plus wonderful networking with a group of people that really do become like 'family'. I highly recommend the conference (I went in 2007 and 2009) and encourage you to find out more details here.
Thanks and enjoy your weekend! Andrea
STOP PRESS: MORE SPEAKERS NOW LISTED ON THE FIGT SITE HERE: http://www.figt.org/2011_Conference_Schedule (18 January 2011)
Sunday, October 3, 2010
October Edition of Mobility Magazine Online
Hi Everyone, The October edition of the Worldwide ERC® Mobility Magazine is now online and features the following:
Architecture of Strategic Talent Management
By Dean Foster and Lauren Herring, CRP, SGMS
The Global Mobility and Talent Management Partnership Opportunity
By Scott Sullivan
Talent Management Strategy Discussions in Asia
By Christine Wilson
It Never Rains in Seattle
By Ronald Huiskamp, GMS, and Kari Hamilton
Lending Regulatory Changes and the Effect on Transferees and Your Mobility Policy
By Karen Gerba
It All Adds Up - Expatriate Compensation Collection and Considerations for Consistent Program Compliancy
By Chris Pardo, GMS
Israel - Milk, Honey, and Natural Gas
By Tsvi Kan-Tor, Amit Acco, and Adam Greenstein
Rethinking ROI
By Ellie Sullivan, SCRP, SGMS, and Tim McCarney, GMS
The Mobile Workforce: the New Rules of Engagement
By Kathy Sharo
An Overview of Expatriate Housing in China
By Alex Chua, GMS
China Mobility: Understanding the Places, Policies, Practices, and People for Successful Relocation
By Avrom Goldberg and Lorraine Jennings
Effective Virtual Communication and Team Meetings with Your Chinese Customers and Co-workers
By Sheida Hodge
Awakening Giant - India’s Burgeoning Workforce
By Charlene Solomon and Sean Dubberke
Africa: Land of Exhilarating Contrasts
By Gene Edgerton and Nancy Ruth
Uncovering the Universal Qualities of an Effective Manager
By Robert F. Burch, SCRP
Three Steps to Managing Culture Shock
By Margarita Gokun Silver
Strategic Planning—Back to Basics
By Michelle Sandlin, CRP
If you are in the expat, global mobility and/or relocation industries, happy reading! Andrea
Monday, August 23, 2010
Expat Writers & Creative-Types: Missed Some Great Twitter Links?
Hello Everyone, I hope your week has started really well! For the keen writers amongst you, here are some of my recent tweets that might interest you, as you write your expat stories and/or you write for business or pleasure:
Be Inspired: Writer, former expat, self-publisher Tania McCartney http://bit.ly/cwZbFG
A must-read case study about publishing: Aimed at writers creative entrepreneurs: http://bit.ly/d8rg2p
5 Tips To Maximize Your Book Publicity http://bit.ly/atvE0y
Entrepreneurs and Writers: Thinking of stopping your blog in favor of email newsletters? http://bit.ly/dvCsee
Freelance Writers: What Should You Be Paid? http://bit.ly/aa2b2I
6 Personality Types Who Will Fail As Writers: An Editor's Opinion http://bit.ly/92QPGG
Writer's Abroad competition http://bit.ly/csTkhG Entries due October 15th.
New book launching August 8th to help you create e-books for the Apple iPad http://bit.ly/bXMGVu
Writers: Selling Foreign Language Rights http://bit.ly/bdBf9R
Writers: Great Links & Info on Self-Publishing: Should You Or Shouldn't You? http://bit.ly/bs5aWW
Writers in Paris: Short Story Contest For Stories About Paris: 200 Euro Prize & Best 12 Published http://bit.ly/9l6nWx
10 Tips To Help Consultants & Coaches Write A Short E-Book To Attract Clients http://bit.ly/auC5iM
21 Ways to Get Publicity and Increase Sales http://bit.ly/azzZpz
Amazon Kindle Conspiracy: Chris Brogan http://bit.ly/b0UEWo Versus: iPad http://bit.ly/9c05ir
Top 10 Ways Authors Can Use Twitter http://bit.ly/aaUXMp
How To Make Money Selling Your E-Books http://bit.ly/92crhD
Speaking For Free To Promote Your Book Or Business? http://bit.ly/bzZvau
Should Published Authors Go to Conferences? http://bit.ly/9qNgXA
Great Idea To Get Your Book Into Chain Stores http://bit.ly/ExpatWomen98hWlz
Writing with a co-author, Chris Brogan style http://bit.ly/bqC70T
Want to write about your life experience abroad? See Jo Parfitt's tips in Khiruna article http://bit.ly/boJGfI
Build A Killer Brand In 6 Steps http://bit.ly/chTMLs
4 Ways To Get Great Speaking Engagements http://bit.ly/a3zS9f
Writing a book? Agent Rachelle Gardner says to bore yourself with menial tasks to clear your mind http://bit.ly/bQTS3u
Case-study for writers and publishers: John T. Reed: A successful "folk-art self-publisher" http://bit.ly/9FABXK
Is It Important To Keep In Touch With Clients, Would-Be Publishers & Allies? http://bit.ly/bAYxOO
What Should You Ask An Agent Who Wants To Represent You? http://bit.ly/djouTA
If you would like to follow me in 'real time' on Twitter, my Twitter ID is @andreaexpat, or you can just click here. Twitter is surprisingly easy, once you take a look. And I try not to overtweet.
Best wishes, enjoy your day/evening! Andrea :-)
Repatriation Survey: Can You Help?
Hi Everyone, Alexandra Luxton is a 4th year Honours student at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. She is kindly looking for repatriates to survey, for her study: Bringing the knowledge back: Expatriates - the knowledge, can it be extracted?
Expats who were working abroad but have now returned home are invited to take the 20-25 minute survey here. Many thanks.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
W.I.N. Conference, Paris, October 2010
Hi Everyone, The annual Women's International Networking (W.I.N.) Conference is only just over two months away. If you would like to be inspired in Paris, with hundreds of other (typically amazing women like yourself), I highly recommend the experience (having attended in Oslo in 2007)!
"Inspire & Be Inspired...
The W.I.N. 2010 global leadership conference is the 13th in a series of visionary leadership events that inspire thousands of women, enhance their careers and improve business practices.
October 6-8 (9)
Be a part of it!
Learn - from world-class speakers about current trends, politics, humanity, and work-life balance
Discover - the importance of giving and receiving support to realize your vision
Be Inspired - by stories from successful professional women working around the world
Gain - new personal and professional skills through our 40 outstanding workshops
Create - Business connections and alliances within a dynamic international network
During the three-day interactive forum, we will explore the authentic journey and the importance of how you do all you do as a way towards realizing your vision. As we discover clarity, truth, beauty and how your enthusiasm can help mobilize others. Panel sessions and workshops are complemented by social and professional networking events and free one-on-one coaching sessions."
If you would like to go, please ask for our "Expat Women 100 Euro discount".
It is a great conference. Enjoy! Andrea
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Kickstarter: Get Inspired, Get Creative
Hi Everyone, I read a fabulous case study today by Craig Mod (via The Book Designer). It documented Craig and his co-author Ashley Rawlings' experience in using Kickstarter to buy back the rights of their book Art Space Tokyo (which sold out it its first year then was never reprinted by its publisher) and re-launch their book.
Craig's case study intrigued me:
"$24,000 in 30 days, a room full of books in 60 & a new way of publishing in 90... In April 2010, Ashley Rawlings and I used community fundraising to raise nearly $24,000 to breathe new life into our book, Art Space Tokyo. My goal here is to outline what we did and why we did it, with the hope of inspiring anyone with an itch, gumption and a good narrative, to do the same. To bring beautiful, well-considered things into the world."
If you are a published or wannabe writer and/or if you are interested in self-publishing and/or you are an entrepreneur wanting to think more creatively, I highly recommend reading Craig's case study.
But beyond that, I encourage all of you to visit Kickstarter.com.
Kickstarter's premise is to give you a platform to promote your creative project idea, then help you open it up for community funding on their site. You nominate the funding goal and the timeframe, then supporters of your project can pledge money to kick-start your project, in return for the benefit or experience you promise to your supporters. If you do not meet your funding goal in the required timeframe, no one pays their pledge. So the challenge is not only to come up with a cool project, but to get as many supporters as possible in your nominated timeframe, so that you reach your goal and your project goes ahead.
Whether or not you have a creative idea, this site are very inspiring. Immerse yourself in the site's creativity, and who knows, maybe it will ignite a new spark of creativity in your own ideas...
Have a fabulous week! Andrea
August Edition of Mobility Magazine Online
Hi Everyone, The August edition of the Worldwide ERC® Mobility Magazine is now online, featuring the following:
U.S. Immigration Issues for U.S. Employees Assigned Abroad
By Matthew T. Phillips
Visas and Volcanoes: Crisis Planning for Immigration
By Sophy King and Andrea Elliott
Recruiting Foreign Workers in the United States - How to Remain Competitive and Ensure Compliance in a Climate of Increased Government Scrutiny
By Sarah L. Tobocman, Esq., GMS,; Jay Carmichael, Esq.; Luciana C. Melo, Esq.; and Mariana R. Ribeiro, Esq.
Seven Essential Steps to Making the Right Relocation Pay Decisions
By Shari Dunn
The Promise of Personal Branding
By Galen Tinder
10 Ways to Boost Your Relocation Brand Online
By Andrea Martins
Personal Perspectives on Temporary Housing
By Stefani R. Schreck, CRP, GMS
Making the Big Move: Relocating to Singapore
By Siew Kiang Ng
Group Moves: an Analysis of Key Considerations
By Allie Williamson, CRP
If you are in the expat, global mobility and/or relocation industries, happy reading! Andrea
Friday, July 30, 2010
Expat Writers: Paris Writing Contest
Hi Everyone, If you are an expat (or former expat) in Paris, and you fancy yourself a clever writer, read on...
"Paris Writers News is launching its first contest for the Best and Most Delightful Stories about Paris. Twelve stories will be selected for publication in a collection of short stories about Paris.
Love, hate, expectation, desire, dreams, discovery and disappointment in the world’s most beautiful city. All themes, periods and approaches will be considered. What we’re looking for: a great story, well-told. Humor, wit and luminous prose, please apply! All authors welcome, published and unpublished.
Entry fee: Ten Euro
Deadline for submission: November 30, 2010
After a pre-selection by the Editorial Committee, twelve distinguished judges from the literary community will each select one story for publication. The Best and Most Delightful Stories about Paris will be published in paperback, e-book and POD in the fall of 2011."
Click here for more details and good luck to our expat writers in Paris! Andrea
