ASC articles

We all want expatriate success; but what does “success” really mean? 5th Septemberl 2017Sending an employee for a posting abroad represents a large investment; both in terms of relocation costs and in terms of anticipated business outcomes. Consequently, expatriate success is often discussed and studied. However, what constitutes success depends both on whose perspectives is taken, and on what interests that stakeholder has.  . . Read more

The art of listening and contributing to a great and valuable conversation14. April 2016International relocation requires you to learn about a new environment and make new friends. Although cross cultural understanding can make this process easier, it is far from enough. While the ability to "small talk", as discussed before, can set the stage for a meaningful exchange, the art of active listening and participation, will ensure . . . Read more

Cultural Intelligence drives adjustment, work performance and mental well-being when abroad11. January 2016Numerous studies have shown that cultural intelligence is associated with a range of positive issues for expatriates. They integrate and adjust better to local working conditions and perform better. With improved adjustment, follows improved a higher mental well-being, a result of lower levels of stress and less uncertainty when interacting with the local culture. Unsurprisingly, this also increases the expatriate’s satisfaction with the assignment. . . Read more

Fluency in language is more about translation, you also need to know the cultural references. 11. November 2015Fluency in a given language is more than your range of vocabulary and accent, it is how well you can make yourself understood, and understand others. In everyday language, we often make references to other domains, so as to convey a deeper meaning with few words. References to sports, tv-shows and movies are commonplace in the USA, though it is of little help understanding the individual words when you hear “Monday morning quarterback”, “Swing for the fences” or “Hail Mary attempt”, if you do not know American footbal. . Read more

Four factors in an expatriate experience that increase your creativity 9. June 2015Many artists and authors have seen their creativity flourish when living abroad. Henrik Ibsen wrote many of his most influential plays while abroad; these include The Wild Duck, Peer Gynt and A Dolls House. Forty percent of the Fortune 500 companies in the USA, and around half of all startups in Silicon Valley,  were started by immigrants.

Why is this? Where does the creative drive stem from? . . Read more

What motivates expatriates to relocate? Results from the ASC Study5. May 2015Naturally, it is different factors that motivate employees and spouses to embark on an expatriation, where career advancement represent the single biggest factor. However, when asked to distribute 100 points on various motivating factors, only 40 points were given to career related ones; the rest were given to personal and family development and what was described as “adventure”. . Read more

6 ways to help your children, and yourself, retain language learned abroad 23. February 2015An expatriation of means that you have improved, or learned a new language. The same is even more common for children; a fantastic gift which will help them learn new languages in the future; regardless of how much they retain from what they learned abroad. However, maintaining, or even building on the language skills in the years after an expatriation is even better. The advice given.. Read more

7 key principles that make learning a new language easier 14. January 2015Learning the local language opens up a whole new dimension to your new home country, and dramatically improves your social interaction both at work and socially. Unfortunately, it can be demanding to pick up a new language, especially as a new expatriate with many other obligations. However, by using these seven principles, it will become a lot easier!.. Read more

4 Social Media tools that improve an expatriation 8. January 2015Relocating abroad entails a mass of new experiences, ranging from the trivial to the exotic. In fact, so many that most are soon forgotten. Social media tools help you create and forge more and better relationships, give rise to opportunities, improve contact with network at home and cement memories.   . Read more

Create your own luck by taking local superstition into account.28. August 2013Although you may scoff at superstition, seeing it as irrational and with no role to play at the workplace, remember that it is important to many. In the USA, one in four admits to being superstitions, and in China one in three says they believe in fortune tellers. Rationally, the numbers 13 and 666 only have a numerical value; however, these numbers can give subtle negative connotations, ranging from a distracted smile, to the belief it will bring bad luck. In some cases, even a small distraction can give a bad start to a budding relationship. Read more

Small talk: a valuable tool for building relationships27. February 2013 Small talk is used in many situations, such as when meeting people one does not know well, during the office lunch break, breaks in large meetings and social events, to name a few. For many the goal is to keep a pleasant tone and avoid embarrassing silences. However, small talk can also be used strategically to give a good first impression and to get a feel for the other person. Thus, a good command of small talk can help lay the foundation for a productive relationship. A study of MBA students at Stanford emphasizes the importance of small talk, the study shows that the ability to speak in social settings is the best indicator of success in the business world *. The key lies in choosing the right topics and keeping the dialogue balanced and active. Read more

Learn local laws, regulations and norms when relocating abroad05. August 2013A nation's laws and norms are commonly a result of the local culture and commonly held values in the country. This means that while residing in ones own country, one can get far with instinct and common sense with regards to what is right and wrong, legal and illegal and generally accepted behavior. When settling in a foreign country, ones instincts may no longer reflect what is regarded as common sense. Understanding and accepting the local laws, regulations and norms is invaluable in the adjustment period.

Examples of how laws reflect local values include alcohol laws in several of the Gulf states, where inspiration is taken from the Koran, and is explicitly forbidden by law, with strict punishment for those who break them. In Indonesia the constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the country has six official religions, however, blasphemy is illegal, and thus, so is atheism. Only last year, a local atheist was sentenced to two and a half years in jail for having written: "God does not exist" on Facebook.

Americans highly value their right to private property, and give the individual landowner the right and responsibility to manage their land as they see fit. With this responsibility, comes the possibility for someone who is injured on the land to sue for damages if adequate safety measures were not taken. Rather than ensure such measures are always in place, many landowners choose to restrict access; a situation which is in stark contrast to the situation in Norway, where the public may go (almost) where they please.

The consequences of breaking laws or rules vary greatly, from simples fines in certain parts of Germany for washing ones car in the street, to extremely tough punishments for having caused an accident in Dubai after having drunk any alcohol. In the latter example, the punishment can be jail, a fine, confiscation of the vehicle and deportation. Ignorance is not a valid excuse.

When traveling as a tourist, one is encouraged to learn the laws which must be adhered to while visiting. When permanently relocating, there are significantly more relevant situations that will arise, and thus laws to learn. Apart from information made available by local authorities, it is wise to talk to other expatriates who have lived there for several years, and thus have a lot of experience and knowledge of what is commonly accepted.

Once an unfortunate situation has arisen, be it an accident or a mild infraction of the law, be aware that further process may differ greatly from what one is used to. Here it can be critical to get advice from someone who is familiar with the local situation.

Apart from avoiding unfortunate situations, knowledge of local laws and norms can give insight into the reasons for why things are done in a certain way, and thus cultural understanding. For example, several foreign managers, working in Norway, have acquired much greater understanding of their staff and their expectations after having read: "Arbeidsmiljøloven", the law governing employee rights. Similarly, "strandloven", the law dictating the right for everyone's use of the coast (with some small restrictions), is another indication of the equality in society, is relatively unique in a global setting and thus a right few visitors would ever take for granted.

Use of social media to create opportunities for expatriates 1. February 2013 An expatriation involves leaving ones established social and professional networks and building new in a foreign country. The process is closely linked to ones identity. The importance of dealing with this aspect was the topic of a previous article. Good use of social media services can help the process by making it both easier to keep in touch with ones social and professional network at home and build a new one abroad. A second benefit is that it helps preserve memories and experiences from the period abroad. Although there are several different services available, offering different value for various settings, this article focuses on LinkedIn. With that said, the logic presented applies to all social media services.

During the initial time abroad one tends to meet many people in different forums. This can be overwhelming and it can be difficult to remember individual characteristics, such as new acquaintances' background, interests and where you may meet them again in the future. Similarly, it can be challenging to give a true and accurate picture of oneself. For Norwegians, who typically downplay their own abilities, it is easy to be underestimated. Especially those who are naturally introverted, may find it particularly difficult to make their competencies apparent in social situations.

It is increasingly common to look up new connections on LinkedIn, as this provides a good overview of the person's background and skills, without directly asking potentially embarrassing or irrelevant questions. LinkedIn can be used to evaluate the people one works with and as such, can help build a reputation or fill out an initial impression. Research shows that information collected in this fashion has a higher value and credibility that that provided orally directly by an individual.

For those relocating as a spouse, LinkedIn can be even more important. Here one may be evaluated with regards to what contributions and roles that can be filled in various settings, such as volunteer work and committies at the local school or sports club. So for those who wish to use their competencies abroad, LinkedIn can both be an important showcase and a source to identify relevant local arenas. For example, someone with experience from the health care industry in Norway can use their LinkedIn profile to identify appropriate people or institutions, whether these are voluntary or paid, and make contact directly in way which naturally shows why one is a competent candidate. Similarly, if one has the experience of project work, this can quickly lead to invitations to take on responsibly in the community.

To realize such opportunities, it is important to have a good profile; which requires some work. The step is to ensure a well written summary of relevant experience and competencies. Optimally, one should get recommendations from connections who can vouch for your competencies or the work you have done. As it is your profile you are showcasing, it needs be as comprehensive as possible. Once the profile is made, one needs to be active in the arenas to make contact with other people. The most effective are often joining professional and interest groups, and actively commenting and posting relevant contributions and questions. Though regular profile updates and activity during the time abroad, one shows commitment and documents experiences gained, which can make the process of finding a job when one returns home easier. Getting recommendations for work or roles performed abroad will act as a bonus.

Although social media has a lot to offer, it is not an alternative to meeting people in person, but it is a valuable tool that can help create opportunities. There are many pitfalls and one can end up using them in a less than optimal manner, and in the worst case scenario damage your reputation. It is important to have a balanced view of how to use these services, differentiate between them, understand the settings available, and have a reflected and explicit attitude to what one wants to get out of each service. There are no single correct answers to these questions, as different situations require different solutions.

There are several other highly relevant web services available. At the ASC courses we go through the most applicable services, how they can be used and which considerations should be taken. The goal is to help new expatriates build a better network and find the repatriation process successful.

When relocating abroad many of our social identity bonds are either broken or weakened. Friends and family are far away and no longer part of day to day activities, familiar activities, like sports and media, may no longer be available. A spouse, whose job and corresponding validation have been put on hold, feels a further loss. Personal identification may also face changes, as previously valued abilities may no longer be useful, long term interests, sports and hobbies can be hard to continue and the new environment may question previously held values. The result is often a feeling of stress, as it is mentally challenging to experience the need for an identity realignment not to speak of the process of replacing lost sources with new and suitable ones.

The solution lies in building a social network, of sufficient size, breadth and depth to be robust and cater to various identity needs. Size will decide how many potential sources of support are available. The breadths indicates the availability of how many different arenas, such as comfort, mentoring, inspiration and recreation. The depth is a measure of the quality and commitment of support one can expect. A good level of breath and depth will include friendship with other expatriates, with whom one can share the multiple experiences of being a foreigner; and include local friends who can offer cultural insight; all of which in turn reduces the feeling of being foreign and out of touch with the new society and working environment.

Ironically stress during the first period abroad may sabotage the realignment process, as the need to alleviate stress may cause the expatriate to accept any new source on offer, rather than ensure the optimal range and type of support. Commonly seen example are expatriates who, during their first weeks abroad, join clubs and groups of other expatriates from their own country; and stick with them throughout their stay. In the worst case, these new groups are far from those most in line with the newcomer's real interests.
Optimally, prior to departure the expatriates identify what sources they want to cultivate while abroad, and set strategies for how to go about it. The right solution will differ from person to person, depending on his or her preferences, values and life situation. Further, not all destinations will offer perfect equivalents to what was available before departure; though more often than not, acceptable substitutes can be found. The most common example of this would be work for the spouses, as many countries preclude them from working. However, there are often other activities, such as volunteer work, which offer the same benefits.

Having lived through this process often results in a stronger sense of identity which expatriates cite as one of the great benefit of their time abroad.

At the ASC courses, spouses in particular are given tools to analyze their own situation and encouraged to map out a plan for how to identify and built necessary connections to find new sources of interest.

Sources include:

Shaffer, M., and D. Harrison. 2001. Forgotten partners of international assignments:
Development and test of a model of spouse adjustment. Journal of Applied Psychology 86,
no. 2: 238–54.

The Norwegian management style can be highly effective when adapted to local conditions 30. August 2012What one expects from a manager and how one acts as a manager is largely determined by cultural setting. Explicit understanding of one's own view of management makes it easier to see the differences when working internationally, which in turn makes it possible to adapt to local conditions for greater impact.

The results of the European Employee Index 2012 (EEI 2012) confirms that Norwegian leaders still score high on Geert Hofstede's dimension: feminine business culture, which describes a culture that is focused on:
- Relationships based on trust
- Consensus between manager and employee
- Cooperation
- High degree of job security
These results are in line with government initiatives in Norway, such as "Inclusive Workplace", a program to reduce sick leave through requiring the employer to adapt the workplace and tasks to an individual's health situation. (See Link) In contrast, tools to rank employee performance, relative to other employees in the firm, are common in the U.S.A., a country with a masculine corporate culture. Notable examples of this practice in the U.S.A. include Microsoft, General Electric and Accenture.

The EEI 2012 report provides a list of 16 abilities a manager needs. The results show that Norwegian managers have high scores on three factors: Involvement, support, confidence and recognition; factors that harmonize with the feminine business culture. Similarly, Norwegians score low on: Feedback, inspiration, monitoring, performance culture and objectives which are factors more focused on in masculine business cultures.

Norway and Sweden score highest on the feminine dimensions in the world. Although there is variation on how individuals score, based on experience, personality and business, Norwegians will tend to experience a more masculine corporate culture when working internationally. This is both the case for those who manage and those who work as specialists abroad. Work becomes more effective when one is aware of likely differences in expectations to managers. Whether one should adapt to local expectations, make differences explicit to all parties, or find another solution, depends on the situation at hand. For any solution, knowledge and understanding of the differences is a necessary condition.

Most people who have worked abroad have their own examples of how this adaptation was critical, many experienced a consequence of reduced productivity. One such example is from a Norwegian manager in London who wanted to build commitment to the project by seeking consensus for a major decision. The local employees saw this as a sign of uncertainty and weakness. Local expectation to a good manager was that he sought advice before making a clear decision and informing the group.

For those who work abroad for a significant period, it is common to experience a new adjustment when returning to the Norwegian labor market. The end result is that managers and employees have broader experience of different management abilities, providing a good basis to draw on when they need to adapt their leadership style to a given situation.

The Norwegian management style, well adapted to local conditions, has proven to be highly effective for many working abroad. To manage this process it is useful to have knowledge and understanding of the cultural dimension tools such as Hofstede's dimensions, which makes it possible to grasp the specific differences and find win-win solutions for all parties. The ASC culture courses build on these tools and focus on providing participants with practical and applicable tools.

Links:

http://www.idebanken.org/Om+IA
http://geert-hofstede.com
http://no.ennova.com/kunnskap/european-employee-indexreg-rapporter.aspx

Traveling with children 8. August 2012 When a family decides to take an expatriation they also accept that there will be a lot of travelling. While many children enjoy the excitement of travel, it can be stressful for parents. Rather than relying on entertainment and activities supplied by some airlines, parents should prepare for the journey, such as:

• Bring a varied activities pack to keep your child occupied. The pack can include travel games, books, films, information about the destination, audio books and music. Include some toys, for example the magnetic or velcro games for children over 3 years, which are only to be used when traveling, so as to keep them novel.
• Young children sleep better in familiar sleeping clothes and own pillow rather than their daytime travel clothes and airline hand-outs. Parents should therefore be prepared to help children change into sleepware on a flight.
• Ensure the whole family eat and drink healthily throughout the journey, avoiding sugar and drinking more than usual; so as to keep a steady level of blood sugar. Order food for children well in advance if there are any substances the children cannot eat.

For more advice on traveling with children, we recommend Catherine Cooper's "Travelling with Children: A Parent's Guide". This book offers suggestions for just about any situation, practical advice for planning, ideas for making the trip seem more fun for the little ones and sensible encouragement to meet the challenges of great destinations such as Wild Life Parks. The book addresses the practicalities of travelling with children of all ages, from newborn to teenage, and it also discusses how to deal with a group of mixed-aged children and the issues that might arise.

Families with children under one year old will also find "The Rough Guide to Travel with Babies" by Fawzia Rasheed de Francisco an inspiring read. For those with an e-book reader like the Kindle, Shelly Rivoli's "Take-Along Travels with Baby: Hundreds of Tips to Help During Travel with Your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler" is invaluable. It's full of bullet points, checklists and how-to photos that help keep young children safe, happy, entertained, fed and sleeping as well as possible when away from home.

Parents, and especially those travelling to off-the-beaten-track countries in Africa and Asia, should also consider the Bradt Travel Guide Your Child Abroad: a Travel Health Guide. It is worth reading before you travel as it has useful tips on what to take and what to avoid. It is clearly laid out and well written so that any concerned parent would find it useful. It has excellent checklists that you can use to determine if the symptoms your child has are serious in any way and provides excellent advice.

The topics of how best to prepare for traveling with children is covered in detail at the ASC course: "Preparation for expatriation", so as to ensure the arrival at the destination is as pleasant as possible.

Religion matters more than we believe. 31. May 2012 Throughout time religion has played a key role in shaping most national cultures. Although different religions influence differently, so a specific faith will vary depending on other, often political and historical, factors. In spite of 86% of Norwegians being registered as Christians, only 20% say religion plays an important part of their life; and only about 2% attend church weekly; among the lowest scores in the world, and stand in stark contrast to those found in the USA, where 80% are Christian, 56% say it is important in their lives and, on average, 39% attend church weekly.
Comparable statistics for Muslim countries are even more starkly different from those in Norway.

Islam explicitly praises people who are familiar with the Holy text, knowledge which in turn elevates a person's status. Ministers in the Norwegian Seaman's Church have long benefited from this in the Middle East. Though not explicit, the same holds true in countries like the USA, where holding a position in the local church will give status and standing in the community. Realizing and acknowledging this can pave the way for mutual respect.

Knowledge of the Holy text will also help understand language, as one will hear many quotes and references from the Bible in everyday dialogue. An example is that instantly knowing the background for mention of a "Samaritan", a "Mensch" or "Eid" when it comes up in text or conversation can be useful in getting the whole point being made.

Further, by simply being aware of the differences in faiths, expatriates can show sensitivity. One expatriate suggested rescheduling a training session to Sunday at noon. Very few of her local friends had time, due to church attendance. Another expatriate was discussing relationships , when her American friend explained that she might consider living with her boyfriend, but not having children out of wedlock: "I could not do that to my parents!"

Even a rudimentary knowledge of the background for local holidays and festivals can spark interest and invitation from local acquaintances. This in turn can pave the way for valuable friendships.

At the ASC courses we give insight into the role of religion and how to approach the topic. Younger participants attending the children's course are further given an introduction to some of the major religious festivals in the part of the world which will be their new home.

Why companies need to offer Norwegian cultural training15. March 2012 An expatriation process has three stages: preparation, relocation and integration; each of which has specific support requirements. While most companies give support at the relocation stage, many neglect the integration stage, especially for expatriates arriving to work in Norway.

Preparation
The preparation stage starts when the decision to relocate is made and until about 1-2 weeks before departure. At this stage the expatriate needs information and understanding of what challenges will arise, and given strategies for how to solve them when they do. Topics range from exploring cultural issues from various viewpoints, recognizing the stressors of moving, social issues, schooling concerns and possibilities and challenges for the spouse. Robust preparation sets the stage for a successful relocation.

Relocation
The days before departure and the weeks following arrival are characterized by more practical matters that must be solved, including shipping personal belongings, setting up the new home, arranging banking services, transport, utilities, health care, school, recreation, familiarizing with the local area, understanding the layout at work, getting to know colleagues, work expectations, social arena, to mention a few aspects. Being specific and immediate, most companies help solve these challenges.

Integration
When most practical matters are solved, often after 1-2 months, cultural understanding and integration becomes increasingly important. The expatriate seeks to understand why things are the way they are, rather than simply accepting the facts. Colleagues are a great source to help understand the workplace, especially on specific work-related issues. However, the reason few expatriates will discuss cultural differences in depth with local colleagues is two-fold: first, many associate cultural knowledge with intelligence and will not wish to seem less competent in the eyes of locals. The second reason is the quite possible fear of offending. A question asked by a German living in Norway illustrates this point: "I get along especially well with one of my colleagues. In the autumn he told me about a big BBQ he was arranging... however, he did not invite me. Do you think I have misjudged our relationship?" Such a question would be awkward to ask at work. There are other issues which are registered, though not asked; like WHY an office is empty at 1545 on a warm, weekday, summer afternoon.

To understand Norwegian culture, most expatriates seek other expatriates, preferably from the same background, as a source for understanding. As a result, many expatiates fail to fully integrate and understand Norwegian culture, as few have the training and ability to explain culture in a way that can be understood by foreigners; and those who are foreign themselves have their own, too often very erroneous, take on Norway.

A good solution is to offer the expatriate sessions of cultural training where they can discuss their own observations in a safe environment, with answers embedded in a robust cultural framework. Questions from foreigners in Norway range from social behavior, food culture, politics, religion to equality. Recently a participant at an ASC course said: "Yes, I understand it is politically correct to say everyone is equal here, but in reality, what is the actual situation?" With this question, the participant demonstrated knowledge, but limited understanding which is necessary for successful integration in this country.
The need for cultural training is not as obvious and immediate as, for example, housing but can reap large rewards in terms of integration and efficiency. Employers need to proactively offer such training to foreign nationals working in Norway.

ASC offers Norwegian culture training sessions for expatriates who have lived in Norway for 2 - 12 months.

Repatriation: Where is the red carpet?10. February 2012 Expatriates still abroad expect the return home to go smoothly. A year after the return, many describe this as the toughest part of the posting. The return process is characterized by three phases.
- Stardust phase
- Reality check
- Adaptation

The stardust phase is characterized by high activity and interest from friends, family and acquaintances. The home is set into shape and the shipped container must be unpacked, children start back at school and resume contact with old, and make new, friends. Colleagues at work show interest in the experiences from abroad during lunch. Life is not necessarily all good, frustrating meetings with Norwegian bureaucracy and regulations regarding school processes can take their toll. However these hurdles are often met with the same problem solving attitude as served so well abroad.

The reality check occurs gradually, as life falls into place with fewer tasks to solve, and daily life is characterized by a certain sensation of living in a vacuum. The employee, who is accustomed to being special or unique abroad, is now only one of many equals, though lacking the local knowledge that has developed in Norway during his or her absence. A relevant and attractive position is not always open at the point of return, and the employee must take on a temporary job or project. As one returnee described it: "I have a wage, just not a job". The spouse starts to update his or her CV and tries to figure out the process of finding a job, a process that has changed since job hunting last time. Children in school discover that life, both academically and socially, has continued down a different path from their own. The whole family realizes that the benefits and habits they had become accustomed to abroad, are no longer available.

At the adaptation stage the employee finds an interesting and relevant position in the company, with opportunities to use the skills developed abroad. The spouse finds a job that is rewarding and reintegrates in a social environment. Children adjust to the school environment and learn to focus on the subjects they are relatively weak in. The family finds new activities and habits to replace those that were enjoyed abroad.

The time it takes for a repatriated employee, with or without family, to reach the adaption stage varies, for some it can take up to two years. This is a major stress for the employee, which can lead to discontent with the employer. Conversely, the company will not get the full potential value of the returned employee until the adaption phase is under way. For families with children, and especially teenagers, it can be imperative for the children's education and future that this process goes fast and the the correct decisions are made at school. Wrong choices and approaches can at best result in teenagers taking an extra year to retake exams. At worst, career paths can be closed. ASC offers courses for returned workers and families to raise awareness about the return process and provide assistance in how to meet the various challenges in the best possible way.

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How we say is as important as what we say, and varies between cultures. 12. November 2011

Expatriation increases creativity15. September 2011

Ethics: tools for your moral compass when living abroad9. August 2011

Etiquette: enhance and direct your communication when abroad9. May 2011

The expatriate spouse - a productive and positive experience31. March 2011

Preparing expatriate children for acceptance to international schools27. October 2010

Expatriates experience high levels of stress in the relocation process3. October 2010

Recommended reading for traveling with kids23. September 2010