Supporting Global Professionals in Transition
For many expats, moving to a new country can be both exciting and daunting. From navigating visa processes to settling into a new culture and managing a career, the challenges can pile up quickly. This is especially true for dual-career couples, where both partners are often juggling professional aspirations alongside the complexities of global relocation.
If you're not familiar with the term, an expat (short for expatriate) is someone who lives and works outside of their native country. Today, as global mobility increases, the number of expats continues to grow, with many choosing international opportunities to further their careers, often bringing partners and families along for the ride.
In this article, we’ll explore how Here we are global supports expats and how they align with the needs of international dual-career couples, drawing from insights shared in The International Career Couple Handbook by Jannie Aasted Skov-Hansen and Paul Vanderbroeck.
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Understanding the Dual-Career Couple Dilemma
The challenges faced by dual-career couples are unique as often both partners in these relationships have high career ambitions, and when one or both partners are offered an international assignment, the stakes can be even higher. A major concern for dual-career couples is ensuring both partners' professional growth and personal well-being, especially when one partner might struggle to find opportunities in a new country.
In The International Career Couple Handbook, Skov-Hansen and Vanderbroeck explore this exact dilemma. They highlight how the decision to move abroad isn’t just about one person’s career—it’s about ensuring both partners find fulfillment, whether through work or personal development. It’s here that organizations like Here we are global come into play.
How Here we are global Empowers Expats
Here we are global helps global professionals (and their partners) navigate the complexities of international assignments, empowering dual-career couples to address their challenges with a strategic and human perspective.
Professional Development and Networking One of the biggest challenges for global professionals is finding meaningful work or professional opportunities in a new cultural environment. Here we are global offers an array of professional development programs designed to help expat spouses and partners build their careers. Whether it’s through workshops, career coaching, or networking events, the organization connects individuals with job opportunities and professionals in their new location.
For dual-career couples, this is crucial. The Handbook by Skov-Hansen and Vanderbroeck emphasizes the need for both partners to have career opportunities that align with their personal ambitions.
Community Building and Support Networks
Moving to a new country can be isolating, especially for an accompanying partner. Here we are global understands the importance of community, which is why they offer various support networks for expats and their families. These networks provide emotional and practical support, helping expats feel connected and understood in their new surroundings.
Skov-Hansen and Vanderbroeck discuss the role of community in successful international relocations. Having a reliable support system, both personal and professional, is key to adapting to life abroad. Here we are global’s focus on building communities where expats can share experiences, advice, and even opportunities plays a major role in helping international couples find their footing in new locations.
Career Coaching for the Expat Partner For dual-career couples, the accompanying partner’s career is often put on hold during international moves. Here we are global offers career coaching services that provide strategic guidance for the non-working partner, helping them identify career paths, upskill, or even make career transitions if needed. This type of support helps dual-career couples maintain a balance between both partners’ professional goals.
The Handbook stresses the importance of regular reassessment for dual-career couples, where both partners evaluate their career paths and make adjustments. Career coaching offers a valuable tool for those moments of reassessment, giving expat partners the chance to map out their next steps.Flexibility and Adaptability One key aspect of Here we are global’s support is its flexibility. Whether an expat partner is seeking full-time employment, freelance opportunities, or volunteer work, the organization provides resources to help them find what best fits their current life stage. This flexibility is particularly useful for dual-career couples who may not want or be able to pursue traditional career paths in their new location.
In The International Career Couple Handbook, adaptability is a recurring theme. The authors highlight how both partners must remain flexible and willing to adjust their career goals and strategies to align with new opportunities abroad. Here we are global’s flexible support options allow for this adaptability, helping expats craft careers that fit their unique needs.
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The Future of Expat Support
As globalization continues to reshape the modern workplace, the need for organizations like Here we are global will only grow. The challenges faced by dual-career couples, and expats more broadly, require innovative solutions, and Here we are global is at the forefront of providing them. By offering professional development, community-building, and personalized coaching, they are helping international couples not only survive but thrive in new countries.
Whether you’re considering a move abroad or are already navigating expat life, Here we are global provides an essential toolkit for making the most of your international experience. And for dual-career couples, the support they offer can make all the difference, ensuring both partners are empowered to pursue their ambitions.
Fortunately, organizations like Here we are global are designed to provide much-needed support for expats, helping them thrive in their new environments.