Tag Archives: expat women

Learn a few words before you travel

March 9, 2013 Globatris Leave a comment

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 😉 .

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?

expatriate, Swedish

International women #IWD

March 8, 2013 Globatris Leave a comment

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?

expatriate

Energizing list making.

March 4, 2013 Globatris Leave a comment

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?

expatriate, Swedish

Accompanying spouse shock

March 1, 2013 Globatris Leave a comment

expatriate, Swedish

Networking for expats – you just have to do it!

February 27, 2013 Globatris Leave a comment

Networking is important, especially if you move – abroad or within a country. As an accompanying spouse you need to get new friends, contacts and information. This is not the time to be shy or to procrastinate. On the contrary, a little bit of aggressiveness can be useful – in a nice way.

These days we have the Internet to search for playgroups, women’s clubs and activities. There are online forums to find potential friends and advice. Make contact! Call! Visit! It doesn’t always work out but it might lead to something else. If there is nothing organized try to set something up as soon as you bump in to someone in a similar situation! Coffee morning, museum group, book club or toddler time are good examples!

expatriate, Swedish

Sunday brunch

February 24, 2013 Globatris Leave a comment

What can be more perfect for a lazy Sunday than a brunch?

Having it at a restaurant, and on the spur of the moment inviting good friends to come along makes it even more enjoyable. This was actually the second time I spontaneously invited someone over or to come along in just a few days and it worked well with everyone’s normally busy schedules.

There is usually something for everyone; every taste bud and every age. Fruit salad, burgers and cheddar cheese, hash browns, salmon sandwiches, pancakes with maple syrup, toast, Caesar salad, bagels, cake, virgin Marys, melon, chicken, egg & bacon, vegetables and PB & J sandwiches. It doesn’t end there but you get the hang of it.

We visited the American brunch at Hotell Liseberg Heden, Gothenburg; “Brunch Americain”. Good selection, friendly staff and affordable prices, especially for children. The marshmallows and chocolate sauce was a hit at our table …

Oh, it did mean I had to cancel my scheduled zumba. Sometimes you just can’t have it all.

expatriate, Swedish

Save your first repatriation impressions

February 15, 2013 Globatris 3 Comments

Repatriation impressions

When I moved back “home” I wrote down my first impressions. I have moved and settled quite a few times and I know that sooner or later many of the first impressions will fade away. What you find astonishing, weird, beautiful or just different might become everyday and taken for granted. I’m not saying all of it will, but first impressions are simply not just called first impressions without a reason.

I moved back to the same little town I had once left. It was all familiar yet quite different. I was looking upon the village with different eyes. The very first thing that struck me was how coastal it all looked. Lots of wooden houses in different pale colors, the older ones with gingerbread work. It was a dark winter evening but yet I felt the presence of the sea without actually seeing it – all due to the building style of the houses. Today I don’t see that anymore. But sometimes when I pass a certain house I think about this first impression I had returning from expat life, and try to get the feeling back. It would have been lost without my notes.

Why saving first repatriation impressions?

I am so happy I saved these first images and thoughts. I have even written on top of the paper that I expected to not find any of it peculiar after a while. Some things I can still see why I wrote down, others are a complete surprise to me today. It is really amusing. It is also something to reflect upon; how quickly do we adapt? Do we ever fully integrate and accept things? When repatriating; do we go back to the same values? It is also a reminder of what we found marvelous in the beginning and that we just take for granted by now; a reminder to still appreciate it.

My advice to you is to write things down if you are in a new place or situation. I did the same thing each time I had a baby. I kept a tiny notebook by the bed and tried to scribble down a few lines about the new life. These memories are golden. Save them!

Pls share or comment! I love to hear from you!

If you wonder why I quoted “home” – find out why 😉