Moving to a new country can be an exciting adventure, offering the promise of new experiences and opportunities. However, along with the excitement comes unique challenges, particularly for expat partners who often find themselves navigating unfamiliar territory personally and professionally. In a recent conversation, we delved into the three “I’s” that shape the expat experience: Identity, Isolation, and Influence. Identity: One of the fundamental challenges expat partners face is maintaining a sense of identity in a new environment. The familiar roles and routines they once had may no longer apply, leading to feelings of disorientation and loss. As one participant highlighted, the influence they once held may diminish as they adapt to their new surroundings. However, finding ways to redefine […]

Moving to a new country can be an exhilarating adventure, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. As an expat, you may navigate unfamiliar environments, deal with language barriers, and cope with homesickness. Amid all these changes, it’s easy to neglect your mental well-being. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to help expats prioritize self-care and maintain their mental health while living abroad. This guide covers everything from practical tips on finding local support systems to strategies for managing stress and anxiety. Whether you’re a seasoned expat or just starting your journey, we believe that taking care of your mental well-being is essential for a fulfilling and successful expat experience. So, grab a cup of tea and […]

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 […]

Nine Hot Tips to Use to Your Advantage by Angela Weinberger With the start of international and Swiss school holidays, you notice fewer people on the trains, and motivation to work is generally lower than usual. This is when to take overtime compensation, go home at decent hours, and take a break from the country for a while. It’s also time to jump into a lake near you every evening after work.  Over the years, I have learned that everything in Zurich is cyclical, like a woman. As an entrepreneur, I needed to learn to adjust my work schedule to the slow periods (as most expats leave the city), and this year, the heat wave has arrived before the traditional […]

Helping global talents succeed in Zurich has been part of my job for years. I am holding a workshop on the topic with HR professionals, and I revisited the five steps. They have not changed over the last decade despite advances in technology and an even higher talent shortage globally. On the one hand, we have many open positions in Zurich; we hear that employers cannot find the right candidates, there is a war for talent, a shortage of talent, and all that. On the other hand, I speak to many global talents and expat spouses who cannot seem to get a foot in the door and not even land one interview while applying to positions. We are talking about […]