Because you just can’t keep track of where your spouse is.
The working expat spouse often travels a lot.
Tag Archives: trailing / accompanying spouse
10 Quick tips on how to plan your stay when living abroad or traveling
Living abroad or traveling – tips for exploring and sightseeing
When I arrive in a new place I’m always eager to explore the surroundings. Sometimes I already know what I would like to see, sometimes I don’t have a clue. One thing I know though is that I don’t want to leave feeling I have missed out on places and things to discover simply because it “just didn’t happen”. This is an advice I always share with expats getting ready to leave for a new destination; do not go back without stories to tell, and memories to savor! We all know that time flies so start planning your stay abroad! Below I’m sharing some of my tips to help exploring a new location. They are not only valid for living abroad but work for traveling and vacation too!
10 Quick tips on how not to miss out on places to go when living abroad or traveling
Here are a few tips for your inspiration
on planning what you want to experience in your adopted country and to get you going!
- Start right away
- Try apps such as Stuck on Earth or let Google World Wonders Project inspire you.
- Stock up on guide books – still my favorite source for inspiration, and excellent to save as memories. Notes in them makes it more personal!
- Ask people for tips – in person or on internet forums.
- Local papers – ads and what-to-dos sections can provide ideas even if you don’t master the language.
- Don’t limit yourself to searching the Internet – there are lots of accounts on
Twitter providing tips on cities and regions. Facebook and Google+ works too! Instagram needless to say offers travel eye candy! - Take into account how long your expatriate / travel adventure is planned to last.
- Make a list of want-to-sees, top priorities first.
- Schedule trips and visits for your stay. Actual dates are great but “in May”, “by end of summer” and “3 things off the list in a month” works well!
- Be realistic! Don’t overdo it but make sure you do do it! Happy discovering when living abroad!
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 😉 .
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?
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?
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?
Accompanying spouse shock
Moms’ expat disco
When I moved to Zurich I had made a few contacts in advance (thank you dear Internet). Nothing that lasted though. I knew I needed to make contact with people, to find friends but also information. On location I called a woman mentioned in a resource for expats-book just to ask where I could find playgrounds. I called my relocation agent and asked where I could find a super market – don’t know why she found that a strange question; how would I know?? I called moms that I had met only once at Gymboree or at the Swedish church. Some of them are still dear friends. I joined playgroups and applied (yes that’s right – applied) for membership in a Swedish one. I spoke to people everywhere; mostly expatriates due to the initial language barrier. I hungered for contacts, new friends, acquaintances. I still think it is a shame that my husband’s company did not provide any of this. A coffee morning was promised but nothing happened. Such an easy thing to do.
I joined the WAC in Uster where I came to spend a lot of my time; not only enrolling kids in the pre school but also on my own with new friends, or at family activities with the growing family. Not to mention working with finances and new arrivals. It’s such a wonderful place if you want to find activities and friends. One relocation agent called us a “lifesaver” for expat women.
Once we had a moms’ disco. I swear. Just us moms who wanted some time on our own but were to tired or too attached to a nursing schedule to be able to make it downtown to a real club late at night. We had a blast. Luckily this was before Vine and Instagram. 😉
We were all home by 10 pm by the way.
Networking for expats – you just have to do it!
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!