The Expatriate Partner

Back to categories

Back to articles

Don't Panic!

Of all the confused feelings dual-career expatriate partners talk about when relocating, 90% are unanimous about the panic syndrome...

'It's that terrible feeling of utter vulnerability and sometimes even finality, in the pit of your stomach. It's as if you are losing control over your own life and career. Something bigger is taking you over and you have no idea how to manage this major life change.'

And it's not enough to reach for that favourite standby, the Rescue Remedy drops. It is really a question of facing what is ahead of you and accepting that you have to start from scratch and put together your very own, personal anti-panic kit.

Be prepared

As much advance preparation as possible is vital. It will also give you an immediate sense of direction and achievement as well. The best way to start is collect whatever information you can about your new country base and also prepare yourself for a new, perhaps surprise, career. If you have the time, career counselling is an excellent investment. Above all, from the very outset, try and think of both the relocation and resettling process in terms of change management and this will help keep the inevitable ups and downs in perspective.

You will find the support of others who have been in the same position as you a great help and a good move is to participate with your partner on an international assignment (country specific) briefing at Farnham Castle which includes issues affecting assignees' partners including work choices or alternatives where employment may not be possible. Together with fellow participants you can spend time exploring some of the options open to you and find out more about helping yourself to a new career. An extra awareness of what lies before is not only helpful but will also lessen the inevitable shock and sense of isolation everyone feels when faced by the unknown, often in a foreign language, and without the support and shared experience of good friends and colleagues close by.