Prospering Mindscapes: Reaching Mental Well-Being as an Expat

Lessons Learned from the Master Class

A Guest Post by Muhammad Huzefa Khan  

Some experiences are not just events. They become core memories. For me, the Global People Club Master Class by Lake Zurich was one of those moments.  I had never experienced such a refreshing Master Class before. There were no PowerPoint slides, no formal classroom atmosphere just beautiful conversations, meaningful activities, nature, and a group of people sharing a special moment together. The atmosphere around Lake Zurich was simply unforgettable.

I come from a background where I had honestly never thought deeply about how important brain health and brain care can be. I knew that we should take care of our physical health, eat well, sleep, and exercise, but I had never truly considered that our brain also needs attention, care, rest, and protection. This session, “Prospering Mindscapes: Reaching Mental Well-Being as an Expat,” changed that perspective for me.

Angela Weinberger introduced us to the idea of “Brain Care for Nerds,” and suddenly, brain health did not feel like a complicated scientific topic. It felt deeply human. One of the most beautiful moments came when Angela asked us to close our eyes.

She began guiding us with her words, helping us become present and aware of our surroundings. And then something unexpected happened. I heard the birds chirping. I was shocked because those birds had been around us the whole time, yet I had not truly heard them before.

When I shared this feeling, I realised that other participants had experienced something similar.

And in that moment, something became very clear to me: How many beautiful things do we unintentionally ignore while we are busy surviving our everyday lives?

The sound of birds.

The wind.

The calm of the lake.

The people sitting beside us.

The simple beauty of being present.

Sometimes, nothing around us needs to change. Sometimes, we simply need to pause long enough to notice what is already there. I also enjoyed connecting and networking with the other participants. Many of them came from life experiences completely different from mine. Listening to their stories, perspectives, and journeys expanded my own understanding and made the experience even more meaningful.

And then, of course, came the apéro with the Turkish menu. I must honestly say: I could not stop my hands for even a moment! Everything was so delicious, and the food was the perfect ending to such a beautiful evening.

Looking back, I feel that this session gave me more than just knowledge about resilience, stress, presence, and brain care. It gave me a memory.

A peaceful afternoon by the beautiful Lake Zurich. The sound of birds I had not noticed before. Meaningful conversations with people from different worlds. Moments of reflection. Laughter. Delicious food. And a new understanding that our brain needs care just as much as the rest of our body.

Some moments stay with you not because they were loud or extraordinary. But because, for a brief moment, you were fully there. And this one, for me, became a core memory.

Thank you, **Angela Weinberger**, for guiding us through such a meaningful experience, and **Diana Kübler**, for creating and hosting such a beautiful space.

About the Author

Muhammad Huzefa Khan is an academic intern and intercultural professional interested in international mobility, cross-cultural communication, and storytelling. Having lived across Lahore, Dijon, Zurich, and Kristiansand, he has experienced cultural adaptation firsthand and understands the challenges and opportunities that come with navigating new environments.

His experience at Global People Transitions in Zurich exposed him to international mobility and intercultural coaching, while his background in digital art, motion graphics, and communication strengthened his ability to turn ideas into engaging stories.

Through his writing, Huzefa explores intercultural experiences, international education, global mobility, and the human details that help people feel at home across borders. He is fluent in English, French, Hindi, and Urdu.