JS 62: Psychological Aspects of Moving Overseas with Gudrun Kittel-Thong Author of ‘Expatriate Relocation’

Originally from Germany Gudrun Kittel-Thong has lived in Hong Kong for over 20 years and is the Founder of the Institute of Psychotherapy & Counselling.  She applies her combined coaching and counselling skills to work with individuals, adolescents and families many of whom with a diverse cultural background.

In coaching Sessions Gudrun works with professional and private individuals who want to gain new and better perspectives in their lives. By supporting her clients to rely and build on their particular strengths they find new achievable goals or clarify their immediate and long-term plans. Gudrun brings to Women in Charge with her Third Culture Kids sessions, teaching expatriate children and families to cope with life abroad.

In this episode, Jason and Gundrun discuss important topics regarding expatriation, such as

• Being initially overwhelmed with everything new
• Wanting to take the years abroad to re-evaluate the professional path often changing it altogether but not knowing where to start
• Stress with children because feeling stressed yourself
• Self-doubt, low self-esteem when living in an expat- culture that emphasises professional success and money but not creating a home and raising happy children
• Returning home after many years: Reverse culture shock; having changed in a different way than those who stayed in their home country; reintegration with hesitation; old friendships that survived the years and those that did not; new friendships with people who are different etc.

 

Learn more about Gundrun at http://coachgudrun.com/ or http://www.bluevermilion.com