Awareness

Raising Awareness is one of the key components of successful relocation and repatriation. From a sociocultural perspective, this means: raising awareness about the challenges the incoming internationals face, asking what can be improved, how can we work together, provide solutions and tools to make the transition easier. Companies and organizations also play a big part since they will be facing transitions in their workplace culture. Relocating an employee often means that there is a unit (family) that is moving abroad. Therefore, settling in, adapting to a new life abroad is a shared responsibility.

Raising Awareness, bridging the gaps, open communication and establishing a welcoming environment are all attainable through mutual cooperation and the right tools. Active Action work-shops and consultations focus on raising awareness, providing the internationals and the companies with the knowledge they need to attain smoother transitions, and thriving families. Being and feeling welcomed is a two-way street. Awareness of needs and challenges is the first step and the driving force for change.

Acknowledgement

In order to address the challenges, we must be aware of their existence. Talking about challenges is a delicate and necessary matter. When relocating there is a vast unknown that internationals face. Some issues and emotions that can come up are concerns, expectations, fears, uncertainties, excitement, stepping out of comfort zones, nostalgia, grief and having to reinvent yourself to name a few. Providing support and understanding can make a world of a difference.

Through awareness and acknowledgement, you learn that you are not alone, that it is ok to feel mixed emotions, that you will change and although, it may feel that the balance is off, there are tools to help regain it. Active Action workshops focus on the delicate and vulnerable topics most internationals face and we provide the tools to work through them. By being aware and acknowledging, the next step can be moving forward and taking action.

Action

Taking Action is part of regaining balance and reinventing yourself. Finding purpose abroad is one of the bigger challenges. More often than not, reinventing ourselves as expat spouses and partners is inevitable. Being aware that change is a part of international life can prepare the spouses and partners for new opportunities that await. Focusing on the opportunities instead of losses is another important shift. Active Action has the know-how and experience that allow us to lend a helping hand when internationals are preparing for changes.

The experience, skills and vast multicultural awareness which Internationals posses can be an enormous asset to a company or an organization. Active Action encourages companies and organizations to look outside of the box and see internationals and the skills they possess as valuable assets that can be utilized in the best possible way.