Use Cases by Global Mobility Driver
Market
Michael (48) received an offer to move to Hungary, but he declined it due to a new law that discriminates against gay couples. They decide to move to Zurich, Switzerland instead. Michael asks his employer, a global bank if they have a significant role for him within the business development area. He feels safe at work in Zurich, and his career continues as if he had not left the country. He regularly gets promoted, and his salary increases steadily. He plans to retire in the UK to keep his pension ties with the UK, and the bank offers him a long-term assignment contract to Switzerland, initially for three years, and an option to extend it to five years.
Rob (35) and his husband, on the other hand, have a hard time finding a job. His last name is Vracovic, and his slightly olive skin tone always seems to turn people off. Even though he is at a B2 German level and has a Masters degree in Digital Marketing, he does not land any interviews and, after 12 months of job search, feels depressed and lonely.
Sourcing
Ayeesha is a married female expatriate, 37, who is relocating from Mumbai, India, to Amsterdam, Netherlands, for a senior managerial role. She is moving with her two children, aged 5 and 7. Her husband, a product manager at a prominent Mumbai bank, stays in India until he finds a new job in Holland. The family’s native language is not English, although they likely have a functional proficiency in it due to their professional backgrounds. However, neither English nor Dutch—the host country’s primary language—is their first language, which may pose challenges for the family regarding integration, education for the children, and daily interactions in Amsterdam.
This move represents a significant transition for the entire family. The expatriate’s career advancement aligns with her senior managerial responsibilities, while her husband may need to navigate his professional options in the Netherlands. The children’s schooling will require enrollment in an international or bilingual school to bridge the language gap and provide a smooth transition into the local education system.
The family’s relocation will demand comprehensive support, including cultural adaptation assistance, language training, and potentially career guidance for the husband. Additionally, understanding local social security, taxation, and healthcare systems will ensure their successful integration into life in Amsterdam.
Talent
Govind (36) met his wife Heidi (38) at the London Business School, both of them are from well-off families. They moved to the US after their marriage, and their children Anush and Anya speak Swiss German, Hindi, and English at a mother tongue level. They also attend an international school where they learn High German and Spanish. Heidi was a Director of Finance at a large global bank, but she quits and wants to take two years off work as she is expecting a third baby. A large pharmaceutical company had recruited Govind to head up their Middle Eastern Business Development Team.
As a part of its talent development strategy, the company asked Govind to move to Zug to join its headquarters (Best Pharma AG). The contract is offered for two years with the option to localise in Switzerland at the end of the period. With their three children Anush, Anya and Anjali (9, 7 and 2.5 years old respectively), they joined the 180 ‘000 immigrants who moved to Switzerland in that year and exchanged the desert for snowflakes. They found a reasonably lovely apartment near Lake Zug, and Govind met a few expats from the UK, India and Pakistan by watching cricket at the Irish Pub.
Lifestyle
Mariam (27), the independent Healthcare Professional, is moving to Düsseldorf to live a global nomadic lifestyle (Gen Z) while her father is waiting for her to get married in Tunis. But her excitement quickly turned into a whirlwind of challenges.
Navigating Germany’s immigration system was her first hurdle. Endless paperwork, untranslated forms, and a lack of local contacts made securing her residence permit an uphill battle. Finding an apartment seemed impossible without a German bank account or landlord references.
Desperation led her to an online listing that felt too good to be true — a cosy studio in the heart of Düsseldorf. The “landlord” asked for a deposit to secure the place. Eager to move forward, Mariam transferred the money, only to discover it was a scam. She reported the fraud, but her funds were gone, leaving her disheartened and doubting her choices.
Meanwhile, her father called daily from Tunis, asking when she’d return to marry, adding to her emotional turmoil. Despite everything, Mariam found solace in a local expat group. They shared tips, connections, and hope. Slowly, she rebuilt her confidence, finding a legitimate apartment and a sense of belonging.
Mariam’s journey taught her resilience and how to blend her roots with her aspirations, forging a life on her terms.
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READ THE GLOBAL MOBILITY WORKBOOK (2019)
https://www.angieweinberger.ch/gmwb/
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