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English is my mother tongue, and I am always amazed how many people around the world study something other than languages, build a career and work in that profession in English at the same time. I would wish that everyone could have the opportunity to carry out their career in another language. I conduct Intercultural … Continue reading Working in English when it’s not your first language →

I was recently asked why most intercultural training starts with taking a closer look at your own culture.  I could see the client just wanted to get straight down to business and learn about how to manage her team in the UK. When people seek out intercultural training, there is usually an international assignment on … Continue reading Why does intercultural training always start with YOU? →

Working internationally means communicating with and managing multicultural employees. It can be complex and you need to be culturally and linguistically fit. Sometimes it is said that the native speakers of English are at an advantage in international environments as they are able to communicate in their mother tongue. This can mean that non-native speakers … Continue reading Language, culture and identity – bringing your full self to the table with Tayo Rockson →

Once upon a time I started teaching Storytelling in my lectures 20 years ago, back then it was part of the English curriculum at the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Austria. Thanks to my colleague Michael Williams who introduced Storytelling to the curriculum, I was able to provide unique English classes for Business Administration undergraduates. … Continue reading Storytelling – the Textbook of Life →

Repat Journey Interview Series Part 3 In my Repat Journey Interview Series I’ve been speaking to many people on their individual return journey to their homeland. My last two pieces looked at hard reverse culture shock, people who found (or are still finding) it tough. This month I’ve been speaking to people who didn’t find … Continue reading While we might return to a place, we can never return to a time →

The Repat Journey Interview Series Part II In my Repat Journey Interview Series I’ve been speaking to many people on their individual return journey to their homeland. Based on the stories of my interviewees, it seems clear that more employers need to incorporate repatriation into their relocation process. Did you know that up to 50% … Continue reading Home Sweet Where? →

The Repat Journey Interview Series Part I “Every goodbye calls for preparation, but most times, life takes us by surprise.” Elisabetta Gnone Many of you will be aware of the term “expats” who are usually good at preparing for their next glamorous post, whether it take them to Portugal or Panama. They study the language, … Continue reading When Reverse Culture Shock meets Covid Shock →

A reverse culture shock model Have you ever wondered what it’s like for expats who return home and become repats after working abroad? When expat assignments end, the assignee is often not prepared for the “reverse” culture shock that is about to happen to them, both personally and professionally. And this often surprises them, sometimes … Continue reading Vanessa’s 5 V Model of Repatriation →

Wie kann der Einsatz von Storytelling im Bildungsumfeld dienen? Einleitung Vor 20 Jahren habe ich angefangen Storytelling in meinen Vorlesungen zu unterrichten, damals als Teil des Englischcurriculums an der Vorarlberger Fachhochschule in Österreich. Dank meinem Kollegen Micheal Williams konnte ich einen interessanten Englischkurs für Studenten der Betriebswirtschaftslehre anbieten. English for Executive Storytelling war ein Angebot, … Continue reading Storytelling – das universelle Lehrbuch →

A couple of years ago, the Danish word hygge took the global home and lifestyle market by storm. I’d imagine this bemused the Danish - when an everyday concept suddenly hit glossy magazine covers from Elle Decoration UK to Schöner Wohnen in Germany. By golly we all went for it, didn’t we? Getting out the … Continue reading When you’re held hostage to hygge →