In this episode, Clare talks through the four main challenges faced by global movers. Helping you to confront and overcome the challenges of - pressure to perform in a new job, changes in family dynamics, the logistics of finding new housing and adapting to a new culture.

Clare also announces her new Facebook group, Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay - where listeners can connect, share, and find support beyond the podcast.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• There is no grace period. From day one, you have to deliver results in your new job.
• If you do not perform in the job, you cannot look after your family, who are likely to already be feeling quite vulnerable.
• Each family member will be experiencing the move in a different way and be facing different challenges.
• Sometimes your spouse will not be legally able to work, which can affect the family dynamic.
• Even when a spouse can work they may not be able to stay on the career trajectory they were on previously.
• In many countries finding a new home throws up unexpected challenges e.g. all of the movers are booked up months in advance.
• Some cultural adaptions you will like, others you will struggle with.
• Even something that seems simple can be more challenging than you expect e.g. adapting to the weather.
• All of these pressures together have an accumulative effect which can mean that something relatively small knocks you off course.
• Clare is currently pulling together meaningful, practical and up to date resources to serve global professionals and their families as they settle into their new countries.

BEST MOMENTS

“The top four problems that nearly every global mover encounter are not just small inconveniences.”

“You often have to hit the ground running in your new job.”

“Sometimes the burden on you, the new hire, can be immense, because perhaps your family is going to follow you in a few months.”

“Each member of the family is having a unique experience and seeing life from their perspective.”

“You're not alone in your endeavours.”

“It's not that each challenge comes up in steps, they all come up at once.”

“This podcast has been a wonderful journey, and I am very grateful for everyone who's been there with me.”

ABOUT THE HOST

Clare Kay is a seasoned global mover – with an international career in sales, customer service, personal development, and as a flight attendant. She has sold books and TV programs globally, taught English as a foreign language, and supported non-native speakers through proofreading. Her own global moves – from the UK to Zambia, China, Taiwan, Nigeria, and the USA – bring direct experience, and her global outlook has given her the growth and connections to support others in creating a life abroad. Through her podcast Moving Countries 101, Clare inspires listeners with the confidence and courage to make their own move – and continues the cultural conversation in her Facebook Group. Join the conversation by clicking this link - Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay

It’s a space for global movers – people choosing to build lives abroad – to prepare emotionally, culturally, and practically, and to turn cultural differences into connections.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/movingcountries101withclarekay/

https://www.tiktok.com/@movingcountries101

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Clare talks about the importance of being open-minded enough to make friends with strangers when you move country – including those from different backgrounds or lives from yours. She shares tips to move past our instinctive “stranger danger” and connect more freely. Drawing on her own moves – from the UK to Africa, Asia, and the USA – Clare shows how cultural differences can become bridges rather than barriers.

Clare also launches her new Facebook Group – Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay – a space focused on the cultural and emotional side of moving countries.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It is only natural to be drawn to people who you already have a connection with and resonate with.
• Remember that other people see you as a stranger, in the same way you see them as strangers.
• Switching your thinking and considering yourself as the stranger reminds you to adopt a persona that makes others feel comfortable.
• You get to choose how you come across when you meet someone for the first time.
• Being warm and friendly with everyone makes it easier for them to connect with you.
• Look at how the other person chooses to be and adapt a bit to meet them where they are. But still be yourself, authenticity matters.
• Understand the merits others see in you and play up to them a little, while toning down the things you know put them off. This is part of being culturally sensitive.
• Talk to people who share habits or common interests or concerns with you.
• Be genuinely open minded and willing to try things, but don´t participate in anything that does not sit well with you.

BEST MOMENTS

“Naturally, looking out we regard everyone around us as strangers, but we are also regarded as strangers when we step into a new country.”

“If I related to it as, “Oh, here we go again”. I diminished the promise of what that interaction could yield.”

“Different modes of behaviour work in different cultural settings.”

“No matter how much we acclimatize to a country, community will start with strangers.”

“I like any “in” that gets me to know the people locally.”

“You are breaking the ice, but it's on your terms, so you're not breaking a sweat.”

ABOUT THE HOST

Clare Kay is a seasoned global mover – with an international career in sales, customer service, personal development, and as a flight attendant. She has sold books and TV programs globally, taught English as a foreign language, and supported non-native speakers through proofreading. Her own global moves – from the UK to Zambia, China, Taiwan, Nigeria, and the USA – bring direct experience, and her global outlook has given her the growth and connections to support others in creating a life abroad. Through her podcast Moving Countries 101, Clare inspires listeners with the confidence and courage to make their own move – and continues the cultural conversation in her Facebook Group.

Join the conversation by clicking this link - Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay

It’s a space for global movers – people choosing to build lives abroad – to prepare emotionally, culturally, and practically, and to turn cultural differences into connections.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/movingcountries101withclarekay/

https://www.tiktok.com/@movingcountries101

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Clare talks about the six pillars you need to connect deeply with your new country: food, language, traditions, relationships, history and values. Fortunately, provided you are willing to take the time, you will find connecting using these pillars very enjoyable. Clare shares her approach to learning all about a new country. A simple, yet effective approach that will work for anyone regardless of where they relocate to.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Connect with the heart of your new country – don’t just experience life on the periphery.
• Food is a gateway to culture. Everyone eats, most people love it, and many are passionate about their nation’s cuisine – so you connect deeply through food.
• When people invite you to dinner, accept the offer – it’s a great entry point.
• Eating with local people opens the chance to build multiple pillars at once.
• Learning even a few words of your new country’s language makes a big difference.
• Using your new language helps you pick up on cultural differences and nuances.
• Learning and respecting traditions is important.
• You can still respect traditions you don’t fully agree with – without undermining your own values and beliefs.
• Foster relationships.
• Learning the history and enjoying experiences locals love shows respect – your new friends and neighbours will appreciate it.
• Understanding the values of your new country is the best way to fit in faster.
• Be mindful and respectful of others’ values – but don’t lose sight of your own.

BEST MOMENTS

“Food is the gateway to a culture.”

“There are many things that can create interesting and stimulating conversation that start with food.”

“In learning a language, you also end up learning nuances and cultural preferences.”

“There are some wonderful experiences of tradition that can be challenging or engaging. Either way, it's really worth it when we persevere and get to know them.”

“Showing an interest in the history of a place is a great way to get some context for why things are the way they are.”

ABOUT THE HOST

Clare Kay is a seasoned global mover – with an international career in sales, customer service, personal development, and as a flight attendant. She has sold books and TV programs globally, taught English as a foreign language, and supported non-native speakers through proofreading. Her own global moves – from the UK to Zambia, China, Taiwan, Nigeria, and the USA – bring direct experience, and her global outlook has given her the growth and connections to support others in creating a life abroad. Through her podcast Moving Countries 101, Clare inspires listeners with the confidence and courage to make their own move – and continues the cultural conversation in her Facebook Group.

Join the conversation by clicking this link - Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay

It’s a space for global movers – people choosing to build lives abroad – to prepare emotionally, culturally, and practically, and to turn cultural differences into connections.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/movingcountries101withclarekay/

https://www.tiktok.com/@movingcountries101

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.