Navigating the Shadows: Understanding Expatriate Burnout and Trauma
Embarking on an expatriate journey is often portrayed as an exciting adventure, offering new experiences, cultures, and opportunities for personal growth. However, beneath the surface of this exhilarating chapter in your life lies a lesser-explored aspect – the risk of expatriate burnout and trauma. When moving to the land of cheese and chocolate, many of us had an idea of a dream country, and I used to remember my favorite childhood cartoon series, “Heidi,” as a mental reference. During the transition phase, I soon realized that there was another reality about Switzerland.
The real Switzerland is not all cheese and chocolate
This is a reality you might not be familiar with when listening to touristy advertisements, and it’s probably not the issues you had in mind (e.g., the high cost of living is a lesser concern when you earn a Swiss salary).
- Swiss German is not German. Its grammar and words deviate from High German.
- Swiss culture differs from German, French, and Italian cultures. It’s a culture of many cultures and great diversity, with regional nuances that can be hard for foreigners to grasp.
- We have long winters and hot summers, with hardly anything in between. It snows in April and October, and there is a lot of fog during the winter months, so you spend a lot of time indoors.
- Women are not treated equally in the workplace. As a mother, you are expected to stay home much more than your husband, take care of lunch and other school-related activities, and take long school holidays.
- There is a hidden “circle of trust” you can only access through a person of status in the network. Status is not always clear at the outset.
- There are underground processes for almost everything. When you are new, you first need to understand how everything works to trust that it is working. You can’t be impatient, pushy, or assertive.
- The rules are either implicit, or you receive a 60-page manual to understand them (usually referred to as “Wegleitung” in Swiss-German).
- You will feel like a second-class citizen even if you have a high status in your home country.
- The Swiss workweek can feel long, lasting 42 hours. There is a strong emphasis on work and work-related topics.
- People aren’t very open to foreigners, so you might have a hard time making friends here. Friendships take a long time to develop and can sometimes feel like a lot of work. Planning and scheduling meetings and dates take good organizational skills and don’t leave a lot of room for spontaneity.
- The Swiss still operate as if it were 1967 when it comes to women in the workplace, so household chores, washing and recycling as well as childcare often are burdening women, and expat women often can’t outsource these chores effectively.
Key Factors Contributing to Expatriate Burnout
Cultural Adjustment:
- Living in a new culture requires navigating unfamiliar customs, norms, and social expectations. The constant need to adapt and fit in can be mentally taxing, leading to a sense of disorientation and exhaustion.
Isolation and Loneliness:
- As an expatriate, you often find yourself far away from familiar social networks, friends, and family. The lack of a support system can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, amplifying the stress of adjusting to a new environment.
Work-Related Stress:
- Experiencing pressure at work is not exclusive to expatriates, but the added complexities of working in a foreign setting can exacerbate stress. Issues such as language barriers, different work cultures, and heightened expectations can contribute to burnout.
Understanding Expatriate Trauma:
While burnout is primarily associated with chronic stress, expatriate trauma involves exposure to one or more significant traumatic events during your international assignment. Trauma can result from various factors, including political unrest, natural disasters, or personal experiences such as accidents or assaults. Unlike burnout, expatriate trauma is often acute and may lead to long-term psychological consequences.
Key Traumatic Experiences for Expatriates:
Natural Disasters:
- Experiencing earthquakes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters in a foreign country can be particularly traumatizing, especially when you are unfamiliar with emergency procedures and local resources.
Political Unrest:
- Living in a country undergoing political instability or conflict can expose you to the trauma of civil unrest, protests, or even violence.
Personal Safety Incidents:
- Whether it’s a car accident, assault, or any personal safety incident, facing such events in a foreign setting can leave lasting emotional scars.
Expatriate life is a multifaceted journey, and acknowledging the potential for burnout and trauma is essential. Companies and individuals alike must prioritize mental health support, cultural training, and resources to help you navigate the challenges you may encounter. By fostering a supportive environment and addressing the unique stressors associated with living abroad, we can empower expatriates to make the most of their overseas experiences while safeguarding their mental well-being.
Resources for Dealing with Expatriate Burnout and Trauma:
- Expatriate Health and Wellbeing Services:
- Mental Health Support for Expatriates:
- Books on Expatriate Life and Mental Health:
- Good Grief – Transforming Loss into Hope and Resilience by Sarah Kobrus
- “The Emotionally Resilient Expat: Engage, Adapt and Thrive Across Cultures” by Linda A. Janssen
- “The Art of Coming Home” by Craig Storti
- “The Expert Expat: Your Guide to Successful Relocation Abroad” by Melissa Brayer Hess and Patricia Linderman
- The Global Rockstar Album – 21 Verses to Find Your Tact as an Inclusive Leader by Angela Weinberger https://www.angieweinberger.ch/the-global-rockstar-album/
- Online Communities and Forums:
- Cultural Training and Resources:
- Global People Transitions, Zurich, Switzerland
- Global LT – Cultural Training
- Communicaid – Cultural Awareness Training
- Podcasts:
- The Expat Happy Hour
- Expats on Air
- Nomadic Diaries
- Local Support Networks:
- Check if your area has local expatriate support groups or community organizations.
- Ask me via angela@globalpeopletransitions.com.
Remember, seeking support and resources is a proactive step toward maintaining mental well-being during an expatriate experience. If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out to professional counselors or mental health services can make a significant difference. Always consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice and assistance.
Global People Transitions is a consulting firm specialising in expatriate coaching, intercultural training, and support for professionals navigating international transitions. They offer services aimed at helping individuals and organizations manage the challenges associated with global mobility. It could be a relevant resource for those dealing with expatriate burnout or trauma.
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