Expat Coaching
Are you an expat who has seen the term expat coaching pop up and wondered what an expat coach really does? Have you been curious about life coaching more generally? Are you keen to learn more about how you decide if coaching is right for you, if you need it, what to expect and how to choose the right coach?
This post will help you get a better of understanding of what this coaching stuff is all about.
What is Expat Coaching?
Asking the question, “what is an expat coach” is most easily answered by first discussing what life coaching is and the role of a life coach.
Life coaching is a type of coaching that helps individuals identify and achieve their personal and professional goals. A life coach is a trained professional who works with clients to create a plan of action that will enable them to achieve their desired outcomes. Life coaching can cover a wide range of areas. These include: career, relationships, health, finances, spirituality, personal growth, weight loss, and yes, expatriations.
An expat coach is a coach who specializes in providing coaching services to individuals who are living or working in a foreign country. The term "expat" is short for "expatriate," which refers to someone who is living and working outside of their home country.
An expat coach can help individuals navigate the challenges and opportunities of living and working in a foreign culture. This may include helping them to adjust to cultural differences, build new social and professional networks, manage homesickness and culture shock, and develop effective communication skills in a foreign language.
Additionally, an expat coach helps clients to clarify their goals and aspirations for their time abroad. And supports them in achieving those goals. This may involve helping them to identify career opportunities, develop leadership skills, or cultivate new hobbies and interests.
An expat coach provides a valuable service to individuals living and working in a foreign country, helping them thrive and make the most of their international experience.
How do I decide if I need an expat coach?
Deciding whether or not to work with an expat coach is a personal decision that will depend on your specific goals, needs, and preferences.
Here are a few things to consider when deciding if expat coaching is right for you:
Are you feeling stuck or unfulfilled in some area of your expat life? An expat coach can help you identify the areas where you're feeling stuck and develop a plan to move forward.
Do you have specific goals you want to achieve while on expatriation? If you have specific goals you want to achieve, such as improving your career or relationships, an expat coach can help you create a plan of action and hold you accountable for making progress.
Do you feel like you could benefit from an outside perspective? Sometimes it can be helpful to get an outside perspective on our lives and the challenges we're facing. An expat coach can provide this perspective and offer guidance and support.
Are you willing to invest time, effort, and resources into coaching? Working with an expat coach requires a commitment of time, effort, and resources. If you're not willing or able to make this investment, coaching may not be right for you.
Overall, the decision to work with an expat coach should be based on your personal goals and needs, as well as your comfort level with the coaching process. If you're unsure whether coaching is right for you, consider scheduling a consultation to discuss your goals and ask any questions you may have.
I’ve decided I would benefit from expat coaching. Now, how do I find the expat coach that is right for me?
Choosing the right expat coach can be an important decision in ensuring that you have a positive and productive experience living and working in a foreign country. Here are some things to consider when choosing an expat coach:
Experience and expertise: Look for an expat coach who has experience working with clients who are living and working in the same country or region as you. Consider the coach's background, training, and certifications, and look for evidence of expertise in areas that are important to you.
Coaching style and approach: Every coach has a unique coaching style and approach, so it's important to find someone whose style and approach resonate with you. Look for a coach who is supportive, non-judgmental, and able to tailor their approach to your individual needs and goals.
Communication and availability: Make sure that the coach is able to communicate with you effectively in the language(s) you're comfortable with, and that they are available to work with you at a time that is convenient for you. Also, consider the mode of communication, such as video chat or in-person sessions, and choose what works best for you.
Reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews and testimonials from past clients to get a sense of their experiences working with the coach. You can find these on the coach's website, on independent review websites and on social media.
Chemistry and rapport: Lastly, it's important to find a coach with whom you have good chemistry and rapport. This is someone you will be working closely with, so it's important that you feel comfortable, understood, and respected by your coach. It doesn’t matter how well-known they are, what matters most is that you feel good speaking with them and you trust them to guide you effectively.
Take your time and do your research when choosing an expat coach.
Look for someone who has the experience, expertise, and coaching style that aligns with your needs, values, and goals. And who you feel comfortable working with. Consider scheduling a consultation or trial session to get a sense of how the coach works. This will help you discover whether they are the right fit for you.
Here are a few signs you have chosen the right expat coach:
- You feel comfortable sharing with them: You should feel comfortable opening up and sharing with your coach. They should create a safe and supportive environment where you can discuss your concerns, fears, and aspirations.
- They listen and understand you: Your coach should actively listen to you and seek to understand your perspective. They should be able to ask insightful questions that help you gain clarity and insights.
- They challenge you to grow: Your coach should push you to step outside of your comfort zone and challenge you to grow. They should provide honest feedback and support you in achieving your goals.
- They tailor their approach to your needs: Every client is unique, and a good coach will tailor their approach to your individual needs and goals. They should be flexible and adaptable to your preferences and work with you to develop a plan that works for you.
- You see progress: Ultimately, working with a coach should lead to progress and positive changes in your life.
Remember: it's important to trust your intuition. Find a coach who you feel comfortable working with and who can support you in achieving your goals.
Want to know more about expat coaching?
Having the support of someone who understands what you are experiencing as an expat can be incredibly valuable. If you are an expat who needs support in navigating your life abroad, we would love to hear from you.
Want to learn more about how we work at Vibrant Ikigai to support our clients? Get in touch.
With Karly in English
With Chloé in French