When I was working as a Global Mobility Leader at one of the Big Four consulting firms, I sometimes had a hard time explaining to my team members why they were not compensated at the same level as an HR Manager (or HR Business Partner, as they used to be called back in the day). I told them about my vision of Global Mobility Managers reporting directly to the Head of Human Resources or even the Head of Business Development. I encouraged them to learn more and gain deeper knowledge and expertise to talk to line managers about international assignments from a business perspective (not just through talent development glasses). I was frustrated about the lack of recognition and good […]

I started Global People Transitions in 2010 as a blog, and after I left my well-paid job in 2012, I had a rollercoaster of experiences as a founder, author, wife, daughter, and friend. The “Seven Principles of Intercultural Effectiveness” helped me get through many of these personal stories, and I thought it was time to revisit the original “classics” of my earlier writing. Yesterday, I revisited principle 5: I trust even if I had been hurt before. Many years ago, I fell in love while traveling to India, and this man borrowed a lot of money from me to start a new shop. I truly believed in his business and in him. I had considered moving there and marrying him […]

Once again, this year I started the New Year in Kerala, South India, at 30 degrees Celsius, with an amazing vacation that felt like a trip to paradise. And while it’s cold and snowing now in Switzerland, the warmth and happiness I took with me still light up my heart.  I hope you understand that I also have moments of self-doubt and fear, and that I’m not always the calm, relaxed coach you might know. I can also get stressed and deal with issues similar to those you might experience. However, after disconnecting, spending time with friends and family, and taking time to really rest and soak in the sunshine, I feel thrilled to work again. My desire and ambition […]

When I had Covid-19 the first time in 2020 I was one of the first cases in Switzerland and advice was hard to come by. I created a guideline for myself and others: Top Nine Tips to Deal With Viral Infections. it’s four years later, and many times I felt I had COVID again, but I did not test positive anymore. Maybe the first time was such a huge dose that I am now WonderWoman (a secret escape fantasy I had after I recovered as WW was always my childhood superhero role model, and the movie “WW 1984” was supposed to be out at the same time, so I listened to the music during recovery). What I have noticed though […]

If you’ve ever felt like you had to “just get on with it” after a significant life transition, traumatic event, or a series of micro-challenges—especially while living abroad—you’re not alone. Many lifestyle expats carry invisible emotional weight that builds over time: unresolved grief from losing their home culture, a tough repatriation, chronic uncertainty, or even high-stress corporate transitions. But here’s the good news: Coaching—when done well—can help you overcome the lasting impact of trauma, build sustainable resilience, and reconnect with your purpose. And no, this doesn’t mean diving into your childhood or treating mental health disorders—that’s the domain of therapy. Let’s get honest about what coaching can and cannot do—and how it might be the missing link in your expat […]