Navigating Expat Life: Julie's Journey of Identity and Transformation

From growing up between cultures to navigating identity loss in China, Julie has experienced the full spectrum of expat life. She opens up about the hidden struggles many expat spouses face, the challenges of repatriation, and how she transformed her experiences into a coaching business. Through her work, she helps others find purpose abroad.

Julie's Background: A Life of Movement

My journey started early. I come from a family with a rich history of movement. My mother ran away from France to Germany, and my grandfather moved from Morocco to France. My first international experience occurred when I was just seven. I was the only German child at a French summer camp.

Later, I became an exchange student in the U.S., studied in France, and learned Chinese. In 2014, my husband got a position in Shenyang, China. This marked my first real experience as an expat spouse.

The Challenges of Expat Life

Identity Loss

The biggest challenge I faced during this experience was identity loss. Despite my ability to speak Chinese and having professional experience, I struggled to understand who I was outside of my work identity. Everything became difficult, from opening a bank account to finding meaningful work. It led me to burnout, forcing me to completely reinvent myself.

I struggled to understand who I was outside of my professional identity.

Common Misconceptions About Expat Life

Many misconceptions surround expat life. People often assume expat spouses enjoy endless leisure time and shopping. In reality, we are managing complex transitions. We support entire families while handling everything from utilities to school issues. We strive to ensure everyone else's transition is smooth, all while trying to find our own purpose.

Transforming Challenges into a Coaching Business

After attaining my coaching certification, I focused on supporting expat spouses. I realized many people were struggling in various ways. Young professionals wanted jobs, others wished to pursue education, and some were just focusing on parenting. My coaching aims to help individuals navigate these transitions, recognizing that each journey is unique.

The Hardships of Repatriation

A Unique Struggle

The hardest part of my journey was repatriation. Returning home often brings expectations of an immediate reintegration into society. However, after living abroad, you have fundamentally changed. Many people face grief over leaving their international life. The practical challenges are daunting, like explaining time abroad to potential employers. Many feel invisible or believe their experiences do not count.

Repatriation is the hardest part.

Supporting the Expat Community

Creating a Comprehensive Coaching Program

I created my coaching business to offer comprehensive support for expat spouses. My packages include resources for language learning, networking, financial planning, and personal development. I work with individuals in different modes:

• Some are in "fight" mode, actively trying to make things work.

• Others are in "flight" mode, hiding within expat bubbles.

• Some are in "freeze" mode, feeling completely lost.

  
  

My favorite part of coaching is helping those in "freeze" mode. It is fulfilling to explore their feelings, interests, and potential. Additionally, I collaborate with companies that recognize the importance of supporting expat spouses to ensure employee success.

Valuable Advice for Future Expat Spouses

Embrace the Journey

The advice I would give to potential expat spouses is simple: acknowledge that your experience is valid. Every transition brings stress, and it's perfectly okay to struggle through it. Seek support through coaching, community, or personal reflection. Your time abroad is a transformative experience, even if it doesn't resemble what others expect.

Your time abroad is transformative, even if it doesn’t look like what others expect.

The Most Rewarding Part of Coaching

Witnessing Transformations

The most rewarding part of my work is witnessing incredible transformations. Seeing clients discover new parts of themselves or create meaningful lives in a new country is deeply fulfilling. I love helping people find their purpose and identity beyond their original expectations.

Where to Connect with Julie

If you’d like to connect with me, I invite you to reach out through various platforms. You can find me on LinkedIn, check out my videos on YouTube, or visit my homepage for more information.

• Website

• LinkedIn

• YouTube