Are you moving to another country for a few months or a few years? This is a big step and even more complicated if you have children who are involved in the move. The soon to be expat who got the job offer probably has been to the new country before and has an idea what daily life could look like, how the local food tastes, how people interact with each other, what summer feels like. But what about you? You have to make such a major decision without having even a glimpse of what the future might hold. The stakes are high.
Some companies offer so called look and see trips. The catch is that those trips are usually offered shortly before the assignment is about to begin and is rather an opportunity to go hunting for an apartment or a house. If you are indecisive about what to do this might make you even more nervous, because you might feel the pressure to take the next step, because those trips are costly. Is it worth it? Should you go even if you are still unsure whether this is the right move to make?
Yes!
First of all, what do you have to lose? Imagine you go on that plane, you land at your destination, you take your first steps in that country and you will get a feeling of what life will look like. You might be absolutely taken by the people, the food, the weather, the language, the nature. You might also realize that this is just not for you. This is too much out of your comfort zone and not the place where you would like your children to grow up.
And this is okay. It is okay to say thanks, but no thanks.
Here comes the tricky part: what happens if you get a first impression, but you are not sure how to process your thoughts? Your partner may want you to go, your friends and family may want you to stay. You have now seen the place, tasted the food, walked through grocery stores and in parks, seen schools and houses, but you are still torn.
What if there was someone who is routing for you, but has no personal attachment to the whole situation? What if there was someone you could talk to, who lets you speak what you have to say so you can figure out what the best thing will be for you?
A coach will be exactly that person.
COACHING because deciding if YOU should move to another country is a major life decision!
A coach cannot tell you what to do, but he or she will be there for you to find an answer to the question: should I g0 on this adventure?
One of the reasons why expat assignments are unsuccessful is the problem that the expat partner was never onboard to begin with. This is your chance to figure out what is best for you and thereby best for your partner, your children and even the company in the long run.
Living abroad can be the dream of a lifetime, but it could also turn into a nightmare. Talk to a coach and you will make the right decision!
IT`S A DANGEROUS BUSINESS, FRODO, GOING OUT YOUR DOOR.
YOU STEP ONTO THE ROAD, AND IF YOU DON`T KEEP YOUR FEET,
THERE`S NO KNOWING WHERE YOU MIGHT BE SWEPT OFF TO. - J.R.R. Tolkien -