You're in! Your free documents are waiting for you
Do you want to access your free resources about navigating the global career path right away?
Your email with the link should be on its way right this moment. However, I am impatient too, so while you are waiting you will find some most demanded papers and insights here as well. Enjoy!
Re-entering the workforce after a longer career break. Women around the world share their experience
Your 3 months coaching program
Let’s get your journey started. I guide you through the jungle of question marks and give you the space you need to reflect and acknowledge your real career purpose.
More Blog Posts
My favorite Top 10 summer activities in Chicago
Summer in Chicago is a short but very intense time. Locals truly know how to make the most out of it and the city presents itself from its best side. There are countless events to chose from, and because we all know that summer won’t last for long people are rushing outside to take in every glimpse of the sun. If you are new to Chicago or you are visiting the town during summer, check out my 10 Top things to do!
Why we need to learn how to say no
If we are honest to ourselves, saying YES is far more comfortable than saying NO to someone. In this blog post, I want to introduce you to the concept of saying NO, why we need to train this as a muscle, why it is especially essential for expats, and how saying NO can improve your personal quest for happiness.
Why I chose not to work and what I do instead – an interview with an Expat Spouse
Many expat partners ask themselves what to do with their life after moving abroad – especially when the „society-approved“, traditional corporate job or raising children is not a scenario. We often forget that there is a different path we can go: Not working, investing all the time and energy into ourselves, and be happy as hell. I am thrilled that Simone, who is actually also one of my coaching clients, is open to sharing her story and her personal approach in a blog post with us. Simone is a huge inspiration for me, and I bet you will be inspired after reading her reasoning behind her choice as well. Enjoy getting to know Simone and her creative, bold, confident, and clever approach to spending her time abroad.
What are you aiming for in your career?
What are you striving for in your career? What was your original motivation when applying for your first job, and what has changed along the way? Naturally, we are more fulfilled and successful when we are striving for something professionally that is also aligned with who we are as a person. If you are thinking about a career change or you are unsure where to head next to now is the time to check your motivation. In this blog post, I want to introduce you to the concept of career anchors and how that simple test can be a helpful guide to you for your personal career planning.
Do we have an obligation as expats?
Reflecting on my experience at the Families in Global Transition Conference in Bangkok a couple of weeks ago, there is one sentence that is imprinted in my head: „We are equipped – more than others – to make a change.“
I keep wondering: Is that true? Are we in a privileged situation that should trigger us to act?
HOW TO GAIN THE CONFIDENCE TO BECOME A PUBLIC SPEAKER
Moving abroad can have an impact on your confidence. Especially if you have trouble in getting back into a routine or in some work right from the beginning. In this article, I want to introduce you to Khethiwe, a confidence coach located in South Africa. I interviewed her about her approach to start a couple of portable businesses, her advice for expat partners, and how to regain confidence after moving abroad. She shared her experience with being a public speaker and a coach. If you are interested in getting started in that field, stay tuned for her tips!
Digital Nomads & their positive outlook on career
Learn what professions Digital Nomads do pursue and what outlook they have on their future career. I have summarized the results in an infographic you will find below. Please feel free to share!
How to start your own company? Interview with Umamah
The phenomenon that some expat partners take the plunge and start their own business abroad has interested me since we moved countries a couple of years ago. I have already talked about the phenomenon of Expat-Preneurship here. Today, I want you to introduce you to an inspiring entrepreneur who actually started a business that might be of benefit to a lot of us before moving places.
Career Planning for Expat Partners: Insights Career Survey
In this post, I want to share with you the results of my very own survey I did with about 200 expat partners around the world. I have asked them about their job situation, work permit situation and how they are evaluating their career after moving abroad. In the following, I will share my top 5 learnings as well as an infographic with more details.
How to become a professional blogger – Interview with a German living in the US
Ever heard of FBA? I interviewed Dan, a German expat partner living in the US, about his blogging experience and he introduced me to this great portable career option. Learn more about it.
How to start a side-hustle
Being a side-hustler is a huge thing in the US! You just have to go to a Starbucks on the weekend, and you will hardly find a place as everyone is sitting in front of their laptop, starring at the screen with high concentration and sipping on their one coffee for hours.
Making friends abroad
Finding friends abroad is a challenging but rewarding process. In the expat world, friendship is often intense, short, and always comes with a good-bye at a certain point. In this blog post, I talk about how to approach this emotional topic and stay in contact throughout the shared time abroad.
How to get a job at a start-up
Start-ups are enjoying a great image nowadays, and people are looking for ways to get a foot into this promising sector. In this article, I will explain the advantages & disadvantages of working in the start-up sector and how to apply successfully.
The perfect 10-days California road-trip itinerary
Do you want to explore California and all its beauty in 10 days? Don’t worry! With this itinerary you will make the most out of your time. In addition you will see more of California than most of the locals!
5 things to know before moving to Chicago
Almost one year ago we packed our stuff and moved to Chicago. It’s unbelievable how quickly time goes by when you have fun.
There are a lot of stereotypes about Chicago. Many of them are true and some of them are totally exaggerated. In the following, I tell you 5 things you should know when thinking about moving to Chicago.
10 cold facts about the Chicago winter
Curious what -30 degree feels like? Come to Chicago, and I will show you. Here are some facts about the Chicago winter.
What is your intent for life?
People widely agree, that we are living a happier life when we know the motivation behind our actions and act according to it. However, not everyone is clear about their very own intent for life. What do you want to do with your life? What is the direction that feels right to you? Are you triggered by your inner belief or are you more influenced on what seems desirable according to media and society? In this article, I want to highlight what intent is, how you can reflect on your very own intent for life and start living accordingly.
Blue Monday
Do you like Mondays? I have the feeling that claiming to hate Mondays is not only the new norm but also widely socially labeled as „cool.“ Everyone is posting a sad face and a reference to Mondays on social media. I recently found out that there is also the term „blue Monday“ referring to a Monday in January which weatherwise brings the most depressed vibe with it. However, if you are the expat partner, Mondays might have reached a new level of stress. In this article, I want to explain why and what will help if you are feeling moody.
Self-learning 2019
If you are looking for great platforms to enhance your skillset online here are my favorite 5 websites to go to. They are all bullet-proof and a definitive recommendation!
6 US-Travel ideas for 2019
2018 has been a travel intense year and I can’t recommend the destinations we visited enough. 2019 will be exciting again, including some upcoming solo trips I am pretty happy about. Check out this list for some inspiration!
20 cultural difference you rather feel than can explain
Each country has its smell, taste and smaller habits that you can feel more than explain. When you are living abroad, and you are coming home for Christmas, this is a perfect opportunity to explore your own culture with new eyes. You will recognize differences you have not been aware before moving abroad. Here is my selection of 20 typical Germans things that caught my attention after living in the US.
Visiting home as the Expat
I will be flying to Europe tomorrow and living abroad for two years now my feeling about this holiday and coming „home“ has changed a bit. In this blog post, I want to share my view about this. If you are an expat yourself, you might resonate with this, if you are a friend of an Expat this might help you to understand your friend a bit better.
A positive answer to the question „What do you do?“
So, I covered in several posts the identity struggle than can come along when you are moving abroad for the partner’s job. It’s a new beginning on several levels and a change also in areas that you have been happy with such as the job situation. In this blog post, I want to present you an interview with a very experienced Expat who moved abroad for her husband’s job and managed to re-invent herself and be happy with the new lifestyle. She contacted me after reading one of my blog posts where I covered the topic of why the question „What do you do?“ can be a tough one. She expressed her disbelief that modern women are still struggling with this and showed me her perspective. I loved it and wanted to present to you her point of view so I asked her for an interview. And here it is: A conversation about the modern challenges of being an Expat Partner and what to learn from more experienced Expat Partners – with the amazing Antje Döhring.
The truth about Blogging – an straightforward interview with an Expat Mum
This interview is the perfect proof that when you reach out to the universe, it will reply. I was searching for Expat Partners who were willing to share their story of becoming a professional blogger, and I found Christine. She was an Expat in Germany when she started her blog and turned it into a real profession. In this interview, she is sharing her tips and tricks without whitewashing. She is pretty straightforward about the ups and downs of blogging making this interview a perfect resource for you! I promise it is worth your time! Thank you so much, Christine, for your contribution!
Are you still happy with your job? Is it time for a career change?
How reflective are you with your current choice of career? We tend to question our diet, our partner, friends… but how happy are we in our current job environment? If we are unhappy, is this just for the moment or does it reflect a long-term frustration?
Becoming a professional blogger as a Military Spouse: Interview with the amazing Roxci
If you are considering to blog about your Expat experience I am highly recommending you to follow Roxci’s story. I am so glad that she is sharing her journey with us in a few questions. As a military spouse and blogger she is connected to both worlds and her content is highly professional! I hope you find her as inspiring as me!
When a hobby turns into a professional blog: The story of the blog Expatpanda
Blogging can be a very rewarding path for Expat Partners or Expats in general who want to share their story but are also looking for some ways to earn money or continue a career. In the following weeks, I will introduce you to great Expat Bloggers who managed to create amazing platforms with lots of inspiration and knowledge in that field! In the sense of Share-the-Love they will share their valuable experience with us! Let’s start with the first interview of this series. This week I had the opportunity to interview Aneesa of www.expatpanda.com about her blogging experience and recommendation for you.
The Expat Partner in Numbers
Since I started my mission to help Expat Partners worldwide to continue their career abroad, I am fascinated by the statistics you can find in that field. In this blog post, I want to give you an overview of the different resources out there and what is so impressive about them.
Fall in Chicago: Where to go & What to do
Everyone is thinking about the great summer weather and the brutal winters in Chicago. However, there is a very short but sweat season in between! At the moment, we are lucky enough to experience this excellent autumn weather in Chicago which made me think of my favorite places this season. Are you planning a short trip to Chicago? Or do you live in Chicago and just need a kick in the *** to start exploring? Check out my autumn highlights in the city.
The 4-weeks Happiness Tracker
I love checklists in all kinds of forms and it is no wonder that coaching got me interested in Happiness Tracking. In this blog post, I tell you what Happiness Tracking is all about. I also offer a free download for everyone that wants to check their current mood and wellbeing. Just follow the link below.
The Expatriation: A journey into the past for modern women?
Since I started my adventure of living abroad and even more after diving into the business behind expatriation, I am fascinated by the shift of gender roles after moving abroad. In this blog post, I want to elaborate a bit about my personal experience with the gender inequalities in expatriation and add some interesting resources I found.
My Favorite Things to do in Chicago
Chicago is one of the most exciting towns in the United States – and that is not just my opinion 🙂 Often I get asked about my favorite things to do, my favorite restaurants, bars and places to visit. As I am a fan of free travel guides to downloads I put all my highlights on a one-pager which you can download here. If you are more a person who wants to be convinced with pictures keep on reading. Enjoy the beauty of Chicago and send me a message when you are visiting!
The concept of Visualization & how it helps you to find out what you really want
Visualization is a powerful tool that can take your goal setting to the next level. It is a common technique in coaching and I found it to be very useful with my Expat clients. In this article, I introduce you to the basic concept and I will show you my favorite exercise for new Expats who are on their journey figuring out what they want to achieve during their time abroad.
The Impostor Syndrom: Why it is such a big deal for Expats/Expat Partners
I recently joined a webinar about the Impostor Syndrom amongst the Expat community by Monika Evje. It was really interesting and offered a lot of helpful information, so I did some further research and decided to share my learnings in a blog post.
Queen Girls: Inspiring girls to dream big & do more!
Thanks to my journey to become a certified coach I met Jimena, an amazingly inspiring Expat who has lived and worked in South Africa, Brazil, Canada, and now the US. Next to setting up her coaching business she also has a very entrepreneurial spirit and a big vision: Inspiring girls to dream big & do more. In the spirit of Share-the-Love I want to take the possibility to share this amazing project! Learn more on how you can help!
How coaching helped me to become a happier Expat
How coaching helped me to become a happier expat I want to share with you how coaching helped me to become a happier Expat /
Create a career vision that inspires you
Many people dream of radical career changes, but only a few follow through. A move abroad often forces us to take the leap and jump. In this blog post, I will introduce you to some career shaping techniques that I learned from fellow career coaches along my journey.
Check out the free download at the bottom of this article to work on your very own vision for your career change.
The Expat Syndrom and its best medicine
Especially new Expats are struggling with the so-called Expat syndrome: We tend to see only the negative parts of the new culture we are living in and praise our own culture from back home. It is human and does not define your character. It’s more of a coping strategy of the human brain for an overload of uncertainty and new beginnings. However, this attitude won’t make you happy when living abroad.
Trends that shape global assignments for companies
In my research for my workbook for Expat Partners, I came across many useful facts and figures. I talked to industry leaders and HR experts, and I want to share some of the key trends at the moment that shape the global assignment movement.
Expat Interview with Alexia
This week I want to share with you one of the interviews of the workbook with Alexia, who lived and moved abroad to exotic countries and found herself in many different roles along the way. I am sure you can learn a lot from her point of view!
News podcasts: Best podcasts to stay in touch with global developments
Here are my personal Top 5 news podcasts I follow on an almost daily basis. Some of them are more for a long drive on the weekend while others are just taking a couple of minutes – informing me about the top news before I had my first coffee of the day.
How to enjoy a cross-country road-trip
Just recently we mastered a 7.000km (4.400 miles) road trip through the United States. Only the two of us and the endless plains of the American Highway. That means you are driving for hours without leaving the highway which route you can see for miles and miles. However: We are still happily married and even enjoyed that means of transportation. We got asked many times whether this distance in such a short time was not stressful. As we, on the other hand, have found it quite relaxing and enjoyable I decided to share my top proven tricks with you to make each longer road-trip to a fantastic journey.
Going to the dentist: Germany vs. the US
In my mind, you have officially and to 100% moved abroad when you stopped going to the hairdresser and dentist on your yearly visits to your home country 🙂 In my case, it was heavy pain that forced me to say goodbye to the idea of going to my doctors during the next Christmas.
In this blog post, I want to share with you some of the things I realized are pretty different about this visit to the dentist. I would love to learn from your experience. Please comment below what happened to you and if you can resonate with the differences I realized.
Where are you coming from?
Recently, I discovered something amusing about the way Americans introduce themselves to me.
When talking with Americans, I often hear them saying „Oh, I am also German/Italian/Dutch…“
Read my latest Monday Thoughts.
The value of vacation around the globe
What does going on vacation mean to you? If you are coming from a different part of the world than me we most likely have different opinions on that topic. In this blog post, I will drill a bit deeper into the different value of vacation in different parts of the world.
Potential Entry Points to the Foreign Job Market
In this article, I would like to share with you a short overview of the 4th chapter in my career workbook for Entry Partners that cover different entry options to find work in the hope it will broaden your mind as well when you start your job hunt.
Overcoming the cultural barrier
Cultural difference in the work environment and job application process is only one of the many obstacles Expat Partners face. However, it’s a great obstacle to overcome as you work on it straight away.
How to find your professional identity abroad
How to work abroad as the Expat Partner is THE question for many of joining our partners abroad. I share my toolkit on how to build on your career while living abroad.
Negotiating your Expat Package
If you are an employee sent abroad by the company you want to read this, I will give an overview of the essential aspects of expat benefits and how to negotiate a better deal.
Too stupid to order ice cream in the US?
When you move abroad it is often the smaller things in daily life that remind you that you are living outside your known culture. One occasion this week has been ordering ice-cream. The bewildered faces of both, the ice-cream seller and me, would have been ready for stage 🙂 So why is ordering icecream so tricky in the US?
Holding hands, dogs and shopping tampons: The German in US column
The longer you live in a country the more you realize the smaller differences in culture. I picked 3 random smaller things from daily life that amused me over the last weeks. Let me know what you think and if you experienced similar moments!
3 differences in marketing and communication between the US and Europe
Since living in America I experience many differences in marketing to what I was used to from Europe. Technology is changing the way we communicate a lot and I want to share some recent, bewildering experiences I had here in the US.
How life abroad as an Expat Partner changed my life in a positive way
Becoming the Expat Partner is not only about dependency and change in a stressful way but also offers great and unique value. Learn more about how Expat life will change your life in a positive and sustainable way.
How underlying beliefs stop you from finding happiness as the Expat Partner
Underlying beliefs can stop Expat Partners from finding their professional identity abroad and move forward. Learn more on how to detect underlying beliefs and act on it during your time abroad.
Where is home?
Being in three different countries over the last couple of days I got inspired by the question of „Where is home“. Here is my point of view on this topic and I would love to learn more about your opinion.
Hawaii (Big Island) in one week
If you want to experience the beach, rainforest, and snow at one place you should head to Hawaii, Big Island. Check out my travel guide for 1-week vacation on Big Island, Hawaii.
Going to the gynecologist in the US (compared to Germany)
When you are moving abroad it’s funny how many small things in daily life start to become a big event. For me visiting the gynecologist was one of these moments. In this article, I describe a little bit of my routine visit last week to give you some insights on how different our cultures are in these daily life situations. For my male readership: I know that’s TMI, but if you are curious keep on reading 🙂
7 facts that surprised me about Hawaii (Big Island)
Hawaii is way more diverse than I thought it would be. Read more about the 7 most surprising facts I learned about the beautiful Big Island/Hawaii.
Would you dare? Three days without running water and electricity in Thailand
One of my best backpacking experiences ever: Hiking in the north of Thailand. 3 days without running water and electricity in the middle of the jungle.
Monday Thoughts: Should we stop comparing our cultures?
‘Expat Syndrome’ is a condition whereby many expatriates see mostly either the best of their own nationality and the worst of the locals, or see the opposite.“ My opinion on comparing cultures and what I learnt as a German in America.
Daytrips / Weekend Trips from Chicago
Want to escape the city for a short break? I reveal my TOP 7 places to go when you are in need of some nature, fresh air, small-town charm or art.
The beauty of the Expat community – the global mind
During the past weeks and months, I had so many nice discussions within the Expat / Living abroad – community and I started to reflect on: Why does each of these conversations be so easy to me? Why do I have so much in common with people I never met before and I am only able to talk to via phone or video chat?
How to apply for jobs using LinkedIn in the US
In this article, I will explain how to use LinkedIn for your job hunt and how to get referrals by employees of your dream company. Happy job hunting! I know its awful but the more you know the easier it will be.
Learn from strong women
Last week I was in the lucky position to attend the International Women’s Day Lightning Talks in Chicago. I was impressed by the panel consisting of strong entrepreneurial women. Those female leaders with a background in tech, culture, social media, and politics have been real role models for the audience. It was great to see that it was an honest and well-reflected approach to strengthen women’s‘ mindset. No overuse of buzzwords, female paroles or how unfair everything is but straightforward insights into their daily business life and their advice for the mostly female audience.
How to stay in contact with loved ones during an Expat assignment
Staying in touch can be hard when living abroad. I reveal my top communication tips to feel closer to friends and family back home. Would love to hear your thoughts on that.
Monday thought: Experiencing the worst-case scenario – surgery abroad
Since I am back from Christmas in Germany it was a rollercoaster journey with my health. I went to countless doctor’s appointments…each time assured that everything will be fine and each time I had to go back to just being told that it went worse. You start to prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario: Getting surgery in a foreign country with a foreign health system.
In this blog post, I will give insights into how it feels to be that vulnerable abroad and I give some advice from my experience.
Interview with James from www.liveworkgermany.com
I recently started interviewing successful expats around the globe. I want to start this new series with James, a Brit living in Germany. Next to working as an Expat in the corporate world he also started his own business. For those of you, who are thinking about starting something abroad this chat can be an inspiring interview.
DISCOVER LOGAN SQUARE
Easy to reach with the blue line, the Logan Square neighborhood is home to a diverse population including Latinos, Poles, and African-Americans. While housing prices in nearby Wicker Park are rising more and more artists moved to Logan Square shaping it to an increasingly hip area.
LinkedIn for Expats: Pimp your digital business card
Learn how to pimp your LinkedIn profile when living abroad and seeking new business contacts and/or work. Part 1 introduces you to the pitfalls of the header area and offers advice on how to stand out. Download the free checklist.
The Expat-Relationship. A real test!
An expat assignment is a tough time as it throws both partners into cold water but due to work in different „buckets“. Read about my personal experience and how to communicate with your partner.
My personal „Feels-like-home“ spots in Chicago
I am a huge fan of diving into a new culture and exploring new tastes, customs and ways how to do things. However, from time to time I enjoy feeling at home at a foreign place to feel energized again. In this blog post I will show you my Chicago gems for European spirit.
The Expat-preneur: A real deal?
Over the last week, I read a couple of academic papers about expatriation. Many papers are dealing with the effect of expatriation on the relationship and the influence of the Expat Partner on the success of the assignment.
One paper, in particular, caught my attention: „The expat-preneur: conceptualizing a growing international career phenomenon“ by M. Vance, Y. McNulty, Y. Paik and J. D’Mello.
All the gear you need for your backpacking adventure
If you are new to backpacking all the potential gear to buy can be a bit overwhelming. I did my own research before starting my first solo travel. Most items have been really helpful, some are not to miss and others are an unnecessary luxury. In this blog post, I will give you an overview of the key essential items for a convenient experience when traveling alone or with friends and family. I would definitely take all these items with me on my next adventure!
10 first impressions of a German woman living in Chicago
After setting foot in the US to live here for the next few years I took the time to write down my first impressions of the city itself and also some American customs that attracted my attention. As a result, I am now showing you my top 10 of remarkable things about the US and Chicago.
5 big communication differences between Americans and Germans
Living in the US as a German gives me the opportunity to observe many small differences throughout my day. In the following, I have written down 5 big communication-related habits that are very distinct in each country.
What to do when feeling grumpy abroad
Have you felt grumpy in your new surrounding as an Expat? While in everyone’s life there are good and bad days, some triggers are more intense due to the new foreign surrounding.
What am I? The struggle of defining myself as an Expat Wife
In this blog post I will explain the emotional journey of an Expat Wife and the deep, mind-changing learning I drew out of that experience. My motivation behind this post and the blog itself is more than ever: Empower women who were bold enough to quit their job and joined their husband on their joint adventure abroad.
Self-marketing overseas: The overwhelming American business culture and how to cope with it
So what are the core differences in our private and business culture? How vital is self-marketing in the American business culture? And how can I as an Expat adopt to my new surrounding in order to be perceived as a valuable and competent business partner?
Expat Statistics: How many are we?
Interested in some Expat Statistics? Recently I started wondering how many Expats and Expat Wives are currently living abroad.
Detroit –Apocalyptic vibe meets raw urban lifestyle
Detroit – Apocalyptic vibe meets raw urban lifestyle Have you been to Detroit? I realized Thanksgiving is a huge thing here and maybe similar to
Oh, Sweet Expat Life – the Beauty and the Beast
After 8 months in my new Expat Life I would like to take the opportunity to summarize the good, the bad and the ugly. As an Expat Wife I guess I have some insights for you.
The Expat Partner’s Blues: My Top 7 Proven Tricks
Out of my experience, I have put together a small guide of 7 proven tricks. These are your tools to overcome the Expat Wife’s blues. They all work for me and I hope you find them useful when you are in a similar situation.
Solo Travel: How to pick your next destination?
SOLO TRAVEL: HOW TO PICK YOUR NEXT DESTINATION? Dreaming about solo travel? When you think about where to go there are so many options it
Why everyone should travel alone at least once
Solotravel? Are you crazy? That was the reaction of my family. This did not stop me and I am so thankful for that. I was
What Next? The struggle of defining yourself as an Expat Wife
What Next? The struggle of defining yourself as an Expat Wife Moving abroad is a big step. Moving abroad for the love of your life
Your Motivation Chart: Why are you doing this?
Manifest your motivation for quitting your job and moving abroad to become an Expat Ever heard about a motivation chart? In this blog post I