What is happening in the expat brain?

We know a lot about the brain, about how it learns and how it embeds the learning, building new neural patterns and pathways as it does so.  We know the optimal conditions for learning to be retained and remembered.

We know that this is exactly what expats need. To learn fast- and to retain the learning. 

It’s continuous learning over a whole range of aspects. From day-to-day learning like new currencies and driving rules, to spatial learning – creating the mental maps to orient themselves in their new environment, to language learning and different styles of communication, to work effectiveness with adaptations to management styles, appropriate ways to lead, influence and relate with each level of the organization – so much to learn!

The beginning of an expat assignment is continuous, non-stop, learning.

But it’s not just absorbing content –it’s also having the insight to recognise when to adapt and when to operate as you might at home. 

Neuroscience has uncovered some of the optimal conditions for learning to be retained and remembered.  How can this research help the expat brain?

• We need to Layer Learning

That’s because we already have neural pathways that link to learning about a specific subject.  (The neuroscientists refer to this as a schema).  So if an expat is leaning about non-verbal communication, it will help if they first recall their own beliefs and knowledge about non-verbal communication; “If he looks me in the eyes when I’m talking to him I know that he’s sincere.” And then to layer the new learning about what the locals might believe about non-verbal communication; “If I look at the ground when I’m talking to him he will know that I’m respectful”. In this way the new knowledge will be embedded alongside the previous learning making it easier to recall and use when needed. “Why isn’t he looking me in the eyes?  Is he lying or insincere –oh no, I remember, he’s being respectful”

The problem is that often many of us have never considered our cultural knowledge so it may take extensive discussions or an assessment such as the CQ assessment to help us identify our values and enable us to make them explicit creating or identifying the schema that the new learning can layer onto.

When we learn things that relate to our existing schema the stress on our hippocampus is decreased (the hippocampus is the critical part of our brain involved in learning) and activity is ignited among multiple brain systems. 

The expat brain is continuously learning new things.  This can be stressful on the brain.  Allowing the time, and using a skillful coach or facilitator who can help the expat to layer the learning will enhance learning and retention.

•   We need to have Focused Attention

I know we think we can multi-task but the reality is we can’t.  Our hippocampus is not engaged when learning is divided.

So what is happening in the expat’s brain?  It is constantly multi-tasking trying to focus.  How do I get to that office? What is the name of the person I am going to speak to? How should I greet them? Are we making the right decision to live in that suburb? Should I get a new HR manager? What did that data mean? Where am I going again? etc etc

The expat brain needs to learn to focus attention on one aspect at a time to be more effective.  Learning skills like mindfulness can help to increase focus and maintain an attention state.

•   We also need to Space the Learning

When absorbing new content our brains work best when we limit that absorption to a maximum of 20 minutes and provide space to discuss or reflect on what we are learning at the end of that 20-minute period.

What is happening in the expat brain?  Given an opportunity to absorb content about the new location or culture many expats will read a book or web based content for periods longer than 20 minutes in an attempt to cram the learning.  It doesn’t work!  The brain will not be absorbing the content.

Spacing allows the brain to digest the content learnt, building and wiring new connections as it does so. 

We may think it’s more effective to cram but the reality is switching to different activities such as discussing the learning with others or sleeping will reinforce the learning more powerfully.

I said earlier in the article that learning is not just about absorbing content –it’s also about having the moments of Insight to make connections, see patterns, generalize new solutions including knowing when and how to best adapt.  It’s the metacognitive component of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) – what you think and ‘get’ and can develop from what you have learnt.

Often a new expat work role brings challenging problems that require, not simple solutions, but deep insights to bring innovative possibilities to mind. 

• Encouraging Insights

for expats can be challenging because the optimal conditions that researchers have found for insight generation are not naturally occurring in many expat brains.   These conditions include; quiet, inward looking, not feeling threatened or negative and not feeling like you have to rush to solve all the problems. How often do expats experience those conditions?  Not often in my experience. 

That’s one of the big reasons we encourage journaling - to build a habit of quiet inward looking reflection time into expat lives. Walking or other repetitive exercise, showering or bathing can also be opportunities that people report insights occurring.

So expats –what’s happening in your brain?  Do you have optimal conditions for learning?  Would it help you to

•    get a coach to help you layer your learning? 
•    Learn mindfulness to improve your focus?
•    Limit the time you learn new content to 20 minute sessions?
•    Sleep more?
•    Create opportunities for insight?