What new skills have you acquired during your international assignment(s)/sojourns?
Category Archives: expatriate
Winter cold & photo
Cold winter temperatures are back. The almost ever present (at least it feels that way) West coast wind makes it even more freezing. I spent a few years in Mid Sweden and it never felt as cold there in the winter as it does in Gothenburg. It’s all about humidity and wind. Cold days usually mean clear skies though and the sun is doing its best to brighten up and warm our days! There’s not much color outdoors for photography, so light and frost can make all the difference!
What are your biggest struggles learning Swedish?
What are your major struggles learning Swedish?
Replies to this question via twitter and IRL include trying to actually speak it. Most people in Sweden are fairly happy to speak English which makes it easy to avoid using Swedish in every situation that holds the opportunity.
Another common answer is the prononciation of “sje-ljudet”.
Fitting Swedish classes in in a busy schedule, or having babies and young children at home all day also make it difficult to study. Here Skype works well – no time wasted on travelling to class and you can do it with babies and toddlers at home. Want to learn more?
Learn a few words before you travel
Knowing at least a bit of the local language is important to adapt to a new culture. Learn how to greet before your move, and how to say thank you, and teach your kids too. This is a good start when arriving. I remember my mother taught me how to say “play” in German, on the ferry, when I at the age of seven went to Germany for the first time. It was a very good word to know to start playing with other kids on the boat.
Also for vacationing purposes it is fun to know a bit of the local language. When I was working as an Italian teacher the basic courses usually involved a lot of tourist conversations – food, restaurants, travelling, shopping, accommodation. And the text books contained quite a few pretty pictures đ .
Some try to learn the language before they go, some start once they get there. I have done both. What about you? What worked well?
International women #IWD
Accompanying spouses need to take on many new roles. Let me introduce to you
- the Moving Queen
- the Relo Expert
- the Resilience Champion
- the No. 1 Assignment Glue
Many employers and relocation organizations count on them. What about acknowledgement? I once heard of a spouse that received a “thank you” from her husbands employer. She said it was easily done but meant a lot to her.
What are your experiences?
Spring – for a while at least.
Spring is definitely in the air. It is still cold, but it is sunny!! Birds are singing and the little snow we have had this season is long gone. It is not pitch dark but bright day light when I get up in the morning.The daffodills grow each day and I´ve had coffee outside in the garden twice already. It can only get better. But according to the weather news it can appararantly get worse too. Winter is supposed to be back for a visit next week, and March promises to be the coldest March in a long time. Warmer times will not be here until May. WHAT???
So, during lunch break I needed to step outside for a few minutes in my new spring shoes before the snow revisits. I took the opportunity to shoot a short video for teaching Swedish while I was at it.
Expat hand-me-downs
Living a life where you meet people from different cultures and parts of the world equals living a life of constant discovery and learning. You taste new food, learn about other views of life and take part in fascinating traditions. I have written about Cinco de Mayo and Cheese fondue, of Fredagsmys and Midsummer. I have also pointed out, to myself, that a lot of traditions are food related :). I love trying new dishes, and gladly collect recipes from friends called Martha, google and … well, closer friends too.
Naomi has also been thinking about food secrets and hand-me-downs. If you’re an expat you know that it’s not only easily stored artifacts like recipes that is left behind when nomadic people set off on their next adventure. You can read about Naomi’s thoughts here and learn what some people have shared on their expatriate journeys.
Do you have any treasured expat hand-me-downs? Did you leave something behind?
Widening your mind
J. Nehru 1889-1864
first prime minister of India
sources
Wikipedia 2013
Quoteland.com 2013
Energizing list making.
Allow yourself some time to relax and to get your energy and strenght back. When you’re energized you can share your inner power with people.
Find out what actually gives you those fun and much needed sparkles of energy. Make a list! Pin it to your laptop, refrigerator or why not post on Pinterest? Perhaps you can inspire someone else?
Use the list as a reminder. Do things off the list regularly! It can be anything from dancing to walking or listening to music.
How long is your list?
Me-time. Tea-time?
YOU are a top priority. Don’t forget that.
I’m not saying your kids are not but think about it; how can you assist and care for others if you don’t take good care of yourself? We all know what to do in case of sudden oxygen pressure drop in an aircraft, don’t we? If you’re an expat you have heard the drill innumerable times by now. Well, same goes for being on the ground. Make sure you get some Me-time once in a while. Create Me-time to make things that make you feel really good. A dinner out with a friend, or half an hour to yourself in a nice relaxing bath with a magazine (door locked to prevent kids from entering).
My advice to you is to schedule the Me-time since
– you have something to look forward too
– it is much more likely to happen if it’s planned.
– your family is part of the plans for your time alone
– it’s easier to make it regular
What’s your Me-time favorite pass time?
