I am also French and expat coach and I have been in Tokyo, New York Atlanta and now Brussels. I found your list very good.

I agree with Megan that loss of identity is one of the reasons why accompanying spouses struggle with an overseas assignment. It is really a priority to make sure the family is happy and excited to live abroad and get the support once they arrive. If possible, live first in a furnished apartment to prospect the best location for school, traffic jam, commutation etc. If you only have one week to find housing, contact a local expatriate club search blogs, ask questions on Linkedin and other social network to get the best advices. Most of the time,local real estate agents and relocation companies take advantage of your ignorance and will give you the wrong advices.

Many people also do not search for basics topics to be negotiated with their company BEFORE accepting the expatriation like pension plan for the following spouse, compensation for loss of second income, support to job search, child care, health care, outplacement for trailing spouse, repatriation plan etc. An expat coach will be able to support the expat for negotiating international contract too.

The process of understanding and communicating your value in a powerful way is something that people usually need support from a professional to do well. Career writing is a skill all its own not taught in schools unfortunately!

Have a great weekend!
Megan

Do you find that aspiring expatriates are doing more research and career planning these days due to the current economic climate? I am noticing that new expatriates tend to be increasingly well-prepared, whereas the feeling of being trapped is sadly becoming more prevalent among longer-term residents who are losing their jobs or being put on a local package. Many of them feel they have no other options but to give up their dreams and leave their host country.

@marina: looking back on your experience in Costa Rica, what made it easier for you to meet expats there? What worked for you, and how could you make it work again in Guatemala?

The Just Landed expat network (http://community.justlanded.com/en) has a Guatemala community that looks fairly active. They also recently launched a version of their site in Spanish, so they look quite dedicated to attracting and connecting hispanohablantes… it may be worth a try if you would like to make some connections before your move.

All the best! When are you moving?

Emmanuelle

Great list!

Another reason to add to the list:

Research reports that most people become expatriates because they are looking for a different lifestyle. They want more freedom, adventure and new experiences.

Unfortunately, without a fulfilling professional life, that new home country, once full of promise, can sometimes become a prison. Expatriates can feel trapped because there aren’t opportunities to use their skills or experience. The credentials may not be recognized, or language barriers may limit their options. They may take jobs that don’t “fit” who they are because they believe that is what they must do. They miss being challenged and connecting with others professionally.

Without a network and lack of knowledge about current methods of career management in the global marketplace, an expatriate may not be in a position to enjoy their new adventure abroad.

Hence if you are a professional, getting a coach who specializes in helping you build a successful career abroad will help you maximize the enjoyment of your time overseas. As expat coaches have different specializations, sometimes getting different coaches to address different areas of your expatriate experience can be a good idea.

Additionally, loss of professional identity is one of the reasons why accompanying spouses struggle with an overseas assignment – and hence one of the reasons why so expatriate assignments fail. So if your reason for going overseas was your partner took an job overseas, insuring both people are getting the support they need for a fulfilling professional life is also very important.

All the best,

Megan