Going on an international assignment is often a relationship challenge. Even if you have already been married for a long time, moving abroad can bring out the best and worst in the relationship with your spouse and/or life partner. Gone are the days of the “expat wife” sitting in the expat country club, playing tennis or painting her fingernails at the pool while an armada of the staff was taking care of the driving, children, household, and cooking. Today, life partners and spouses are of all backgrounds and all colors. My observation is that more and more male spouses are joining female expats. We also see more same-sex couples doing assignments together. Some couples plan to have a family while […]

For the last few days I felt stuck and depressed and last night I went to an apéro of the Gesellschaft der Freunde des Schauspielhauses (yes, it’s a long name). And even though I am one of the younger members (hahaha) it felt really great to talk to other lovers of the theatre. I was very inspired by Ulrich Khuon as he discussed the polarity and paradoxes in our current world and the need we all have for bridging the gaps and for community and connection. I felt seen and understood. #Zurich is not always the most open place on earth, but if you are willing to make an effort you can build wonderful relationships here. The trouble is that […]

Stefan Remhof is the Managing Partner of the People Mobility Alliance and a Professor of International Management at IU International University. With extensive expertise in global mobility, expat management, and international assignments, he is a recognized authority in his field. In his role at the People Mobility Alliance, Stefan leverages his deep understanding of cross-border workforce dynamics to provide strategic insights and innovative solutions for businesses navigating the complexities of international mobility. His work emphasizes the importance of aligning mobility strategies with organizational goals to drive growth and enhance employee experiences. As an academic, Stefan imparts his knowledge to the next generation of leaders, blending theory with real-world applications. His research focuses on the intersection of globalization and talent management, […]

Guest Post by Oyindamola Adedokun, m Working for Angie Weinberger helped me a lot. I had just graduated from studying international relations at the university; I was frantically searching for a role that would give me some global experience. Coupled with that was a desperate desire to find someone who could mentor and guide me in an international setting. On one of those days, when I was surfing the internet to see what opportunity I could get, I came in contact with Angie on Instagram. Unknown to me, she is the managing director of Global People Transitions, GmbH, so I asked that she mentor me in the global mobility field. She graciously requested that I share my resume and informed […]

Embarking on an expatriate journey is often portrayed as an exciting adventure, promising new experiences, cultures, and 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 Swiss Reality This a reality you might not be familiar with when you listen to touristy advertisements, and it’s probably not the issues you had in mind (e.g., the […]