Culture shock is not the problem!

👉 Time to revisit the aging standard expat adjustment models 

- too much anchored in cross cultural differences impacts⤵️⤵️⤵️

👉 Culture shocks are indeed nowadays much better self-dealt with due to 

✅ our increased travels abroad, 

✅ the instant communication one can have with their loved ones/friends if homesick, 

✅ our access to enormous amount of learning resources online or off

✅ and not forgetting countless cross cultural trainings available in companies.

💡But research and testimonials show today that what people suffer the most from during expatriation now is loneliness and this is not necessary linked to cultural differences effects!

“Loneliness is about not feeling connected with other people. You don't have to be alone to feel lonely. You can participate in everything, be among people and still feel lonely. You then feel no connection with others. A connection is more than having a common hobby. It's also about trusting the other, daring to share things: then you connect with other people.”

Loneliness can be divided into roughly two different forms: social loneliness and emotional loneliness.

👉 Needless to say the impact on mental health and as a matter of fact on performance 

💡 To help on an efficient way, to support properly expats abroad (and that includes international students) it is important to adjust our trainings - preparation - coaching - accordingly and tackle this well 🌎