Build a Flourishing Life, Living in Australia on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 10:37AM by Trisha Carter “Australian birds are so noisy”, my sister, visiting from New Zealand, complained about the wake-up calls outside her window. We helpfully ran through some of the potential culprits,
Monday, September 30, 2013 at 9:37AM by Trisha Carter There’s a thing psychologists do called “normalising”. We make a comment that may include something like, “many people who’ve been through this say similar things” or “often people who’ve experienced … feel that they…” It helps clients or patients to feel that they aren’t abnormal, or responding strangely. Instead they are comforted, knowing that others have been there and also responded in this way.
Books written with honesty and openness can do the same thing, taking us on a journey
Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 8:00AM by Trisha Carter We have all heard stories of people selected for expat assignments for doubtful reasons. There are those who were brilliant at home and it was just assumed they would be brilliant overseas. Those who share the ethnic background of the host country, but born and bred elsewhere (perhaps even second or third generation) they lacked the language and cultural values that would make the transition easier. And there are those who went because they were available and keen, or as a retention strategy or a reward. Many of these selections were not always the most likely to succeed.
But before we ask who is more likely to succeed we need to first take a step back and ask a different question.
What is the purpose of this assignment?
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 5:21PM by Trisha Carter Thursday 12 September is RUOK day in Australia. It's a day we are encouraged to have conversations both at home in the workplace - real, menaingful caring conversations with others who might be going through tough times.
I blogged about this last year in light of US based research that found that expatriates 'faced a higher risk of mental health problems including internalising and externalising problems, and substance use disorders'. US expats were found to be three times more likely to feel trapped and depressed than workers at home, and two times more likely to express feelings of anxiety.
As I said last year...
Friday, August 23, 2013 at 7:41AM by Trisha Carter Last month the webinar "Getting Your Expat Life Together' had some great feedback and my guest presenter, Rachel Yates, has kindly agreed to share this with you here on the blog.
The webinar was designed to help us think of the things that are often overlooked in the busyness of beginning an expat assignment. Thanks Rachel!