Expatriate Spousal / Partner Support

The Language of Service & Culture provides “Spousal / Partner Support” to assist accompanying family members during international relocations. The challenges experienced by the accompanying spouse / partner are sometimes greater than those of the business professional / executive whose job is the reason for the family relocation. The spouse / partner may or may not be allowed to work in the new country and might not know what he / she would like to do in the new culture to have a meaningful and fulfilling experience abroad. This can result in feelings of isolation or a loss of identity or purpose.

The Language of Service & Culture can provide career counselling, including assistance with the employment search in the local job market, help with curriculum vitae and cover letter preparation and practice with interviewing skills. Additionally, the spouse / partner may be interested in learning about professional organisations in his / her chosen field and business networks in the vicinity. Guidance with finding volunteering opportunities and developing a new social circle can be offered, as well as information about learning and development courses and personal interests and hobbies. Cross-cultural training sessions focusing specifically on the spouse / partner’s needs, including the enhancement of intercultural competencies, help with “culture shock” / transition stress and practical information on daily living topics, are often requested as part of the support services. International Parenting training may also be of interest and is available, in addition to life coaching on how to make the most of the international opportunity.

Learning Outcomes:

• Feel happier and more fulfilled with personal and professional support to address one’s questions, cultural concerns and areas of interest with someone who understands what is involved in relocating abroad
• Establish realistic expectations about the transition and one’s new roles in the unfamiliar cultural environment which help with the settling in and adjustment process
• Create strategies for coping with one’s own and the family’s ups and downs to make the relocation a success for everyone
• Acquire important background knowledge about the new host country, including what important resources are available for career, educational and social needs
• Make a plan for the next 3 – 6 months with individual goals and goals for each family member

Youth & Teen Expatriate Training Programmes

The Language of Service & Culture provides “Youth & Teen Expatriate Training Programmes” to support children and teenagers who are relocating with their parents on international assignments to adapt and adjust to life and school abroad. There are so many changes: new culture, new home, new education system, new friends and neighbours, new city or town, possibly new language and definitely new adventure! The interactive and fun workshops provide youth and teens the opportunity to explore what culture is and what impact it has on their interactions. The participants learn about perceptions and stereotypes and come to realise there are no good or bad, right or wrong cultures; they are just different. Important practical background knowledge about the new host country is also included. The sessions give children and teenagers the chance to ask questions about school and to talk about their feelings of excitement and feelings of concern or worry about the move. They learn what they can do to manage the transition successfully and discuss how to make friends in the new country. Activities are often a highlight, such as practising national sport skills and baking traditional food. International Parenting training can also be arranged for the parents, if desired.

Learning Outcomes:

• Speak freely about the relocation in a safe environment with non-family member who understands the joys and challenges of the transition process for youth and teens
• Develop greater understanding of culture along with a curious and open mind combined with respect and acceptance for difference
• Feel more confident about the new country with a greater insight into the roots and geography, as well as the language, including slang and local expressions
• Talk about what kids do for fun in the new cultural environment and how to develop friendships and make the most of the international experience
• Understand what it means to be a “Third Culture Kid” and how to connect with other “TCKs”

Adult Expatriate Coaching Sessions

The Language of Service & Culture provides “Adult Expatriate Coaching Sessions” which help business professionals and executives and their spouses / partners, who are relocating on international assignments, to adapt and adjust to life and work in the new cultural environment, as quickly, smoothly and successfully as possible, in a series of short sessions. Adult Expatriate Coaching Sessions are tailored to address whatever the top cultural challenges, questions and priorities are at the time, whether they be pre- or post-arrival, personal or professional, in a confidential and relaxed environment. Sessions can explore the similarities and differences between the home and host cultures, such as the cultural values, preferred ways of working, business practices and social norms and etiquette, as well as lifestyles, with a coaching delivery approach.

The programmes are typically designed to develop intercultural competencies for global professionals and their spouses / partners, such as how to communicate more effectively across cultures, which will greatly assist in the transition process. “Culture shock” and spouse / partner / family cultural adjustment stress issues are often included, in addition to International Parenting training. Many assignees also like to learn country background information during these sessions on the geography, history, government and economy of the host country, in addition to having their specific questions answered about important daily living topics like health care, safety, food, transportation, education, holidays, shopping, recreation and leisure activities, individual hobbies and interests, as well as how to build a social network.

Learning Outcomes:

• Focus on the cultural challenges of the moment, at work or at home, and take a “time out” to reflect on where one is in the transition process and how one can best navigate any concerns to achieve success, professionally, personally and as a family, with the new global life
• Understand the impact culture has on one’s work and private life and compare and contrast host and home cultural values that often explain perceptions, attitudes and behaviours
• Ensure the spouse / partner and the rest of family receive the support and develop the intercultural competencies needed to reduce the chance of a failed assignment or early return
• Acquire vital knowledge about the business culture and preferred communication style in the new cultural environment, as well as social customs, for effective and successful adaptation
• Transition more confidently and productively with realistic expectations to accomplish assignment objectives and create strategies and action plans for cultural adjustment to lessen the impact of “culture shock” and to manage the relocation ups and downs

Country Specialist Sessions on Ireland, the USA or Other Country*

Cultural Roots / Conducting Business Effectively / Creating a Home & Lifestyle

The Language of Service & Culture provides “Country Specialist Sessions”. These sessions can be delivered as “stand alone” topics or included in the Adult Expatriate Training Programmes and Adult Expatriate Coaching Sessions. The “Cultural Roots” Country Specialist Sessions share background information on the cultural foundations of the specific country and their influence on both business and social behaviour. Cultural values of the host country are discussed and compared to the home country of the participants. Topics such as geography, history, government, language, as well as social customs, norms and etiquette are included in the overview. “Conducting Business Effectively” Country Specialist Sessions feature country specific business expectations, practices, norms and etiquette and develop the skills necessary to adapt work and communication styles for increased effectiveness. “Creating a Home & Lifestyle” Country Specialist Sessions cover important daily living topics like health care, safety, food, transportation, education, holidays, shopping, recreation and leisure activities, hobbies and interests, as well as how to build a social network and answer all questions about everyday life in the new location.

Learning Outcomes:

• Acquire practical background knowledge about the cultural foundations of a specific country, including how the past influences present day societal norms and customs
• Work more effectively with Irish nationals, US American nationals or colleagues from other cultures* due to enhanced awareness and understanding of cultural differences
• Gain critical insight into intercultural business protocols and practices and develop the skills necessary for improved relationships, increased teamwork and greater productivity
• Navigate daily life in a new country confidently after receiving important information and having questions answered to help to make the experience abroad a happy, healthy and safe one
• Create strategies to accomplish business related and personal objectives for global work and life success

* The Language of Service & Culture specialises in the delivery of Country Specialist Sessions for Ireland and the United States of America. When expertise on other countries is required, we work in cooperation with experienced subject matter experts / country resource specialists from our extensive global intercultural trainer network

Repatriation Coaching

The Language of Service & Culture provides “Repatriation Coaching” for adults and children who have returned from living abroad on international assignments. The session focuses on the reintegration process, personally and professionally, of returning and transitioning back to life, work and school in the home country. International assignees have changed, and so have the people left behind. Things are not the same in the office, nor the local community. A successful repatriation takes time and requires realistic expectations and a plan for reconnecting with family, friends and colleagues and for maintaining the meaningful relationships developed abroad. The coaching session gives participants the luxury of time to reflect on the past and to consider what they have learned and how they have grown from the international experience. It is also the opportunity to plan for a future life and career which utilise the new knowledge, skills and abilities, that have been identified during the session, including an enhanced global mindset. Those responsible for global mobility will gain a better understanding of the repatriation process, and they will have greater insight into the intercultural competencies that have been developed abroad and how they can benefit the organisation.

Learning Outcomes:

• Share what one has learned from the international experience about oneself and about the host country culture and discuss any concerns about adaptation and adjustment with someone who understands the repatriation process
• Strategise how to leverage the intercultural competencies and to transfer the knowledge and skills gained abroad back in the home office for career development and advancement
• Develop an awareness of what “reverse culture shock” is and the skills to assist with the smooth transition of what is often a surprisingly challenging cultural readjustment
• Help children to adapt back to their home culture and manage the transition, which frequently includes confusing feelings around cultural identity and loss
• Understand what it means to be a “Third Culture Kid” ("TCK") or “Third Culture Adult” ("TCA") and learn where to connect with fellow expats