“Companies don’t go global; people do. For companies to leverage the global economy, they need people effective at connecting across cultures.” Andy Molinsky. The ability to lead a diverse and global team is not just a skill — it is a necessity. However, the journey to effective global leadership is full of challenges such as language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, not even talking about the hurdles of remote communication. It is critical to create that quick sense of rapport bonding with clients, colleagues, our boss… But how do we effectively connect across cultures? Frauke and Mari ..read more

With the increase in international business, military placements, and immigration, there has been a growing number of Third Culture Kids (TCKs) around the globe. In this episode, Frauke and Marie-Christine explore the complexities of the world of Third Culture Kids (TCKs) based on the fact that these individuals grow up being influenced by three cultures: the heritage culture(s), the host-country culture(s), and the culture of expatriates and other TCKs. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK's life and identity, these individuals often have a greater sense of belongi ..read more

How to navigate a multicultural, multilingual and multi-mobile lifestyle with ease? Nowadays we all live scattered all over the world, we might have families almost everywhere. In this episode, Frauke and Marie-Christine explore the complexities of modern mobile families. Culture Chat Frauke and Marie-Christine welcome Pakistan-born Mariam Navaid Ottimofiore, a writer, researcher and expatriate family specialist who grew up and lived in ten countries. Her husband is German/Italian and together they have raised their children in Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Mariam Navaid ..read more

In today's globalized and interconnected world, it is increasingly essential to successfully manage interpersonal relationships. In this episode, Frauke and Marie-Christine are exploring the process of building relationships across cultures: from greetings to making judgements about others, from dealing with offense and conflict to bridging cultural differences in etiquette and body language. How to manage rapport? And what triggers a collusion of cultures? Culture Chat Frauke and Marie-Christine welcome Helen Spencer Oatey, Emeritus Professor of Intercultural Communication in the Department o ..read more

Becoming an expat trailing partner means that you put your own career on hold for the sake of your partner’s job. That, added to the upset of leaving your family and friends behind, can take an emotional toll. Frauke and Marie-Christine kick-off their first episode discussing the specific challenges as well as the manifold opportunities of being an expat partner. Moving abroad to further your partner’s career can be exciting and challenging in equal measures. It offers an opportunity to travel, embrace a new culture, and according to two thirds of expats, it gives you a better quality of life ..read more

When was the last time you felt lost? Lonely? Disconnected? The desire to belong, also known as belongingness, is a fundamental human need that motivates our human behavior. Especially expats may be struggling with loneliness, loss of identity and lack of direction after moving to a different location. The feeling as if we don't belong while also losing traits of our original, unfolds the urgent need for belonging in this new environment. Losing our sense of self can be a very difficult journey BUT it can also provide an opportunity to explore and grow. Episode Highlights (00:03:22) Culture Ch ..read more

What’s the meaning of life? What's the key to life-long happiness? And do we lose our sense of purpose when moving abroad? In this episode, Frauke and Marie-Christine are exploring the japanese art of living a purposeful life. The japanese people believe that everyone has their own reason for being which they call Ikigai. According to them, Ikigai refers to your life purpose that brings joy and inspires you to get up every morning. Episode Highlights (00:04:33) Culture Chat: Frauke and Marie-Christine welcome Jennifer Shinkai, a Tokyo based, British born executive coach who supports individual ..read more

'Tis the season'… it is that time of the year that is also known as the holiday season and more narrowly referred to as the Christmas season. Frauke and Marie-Christine are getting into the festive mood, sitting together with ginger bread cookies and a hot cup of tea, sharing holiday traditions and reflecting about the real meaning of Christmas. And since the holiday season is also the season of love and giving, they welcome a special interview guest in their culture chat: Diana Cherniavska, the co-founder of Swidomo, an NGO supporting Ukrainian youth in the city of Duesseldorf and surrounding ..read more

Can we just press a button to be happy and live a happier life? Why are some people happier than others? And what does it even mean to be happy? Frauke and Marie-Christine are on a mission to find the answers to these existential questions regarding the secrets of human happiness. They receive support from their interview guest Franziska Bauer Luxhøj, an expat happiness coach from Denmark. Episode Highlights (00:02:52) Culture Chat: Frauke and Marie-Christine welcome Franziska Bauer Luxhøj, an Austrian married to a Danish, living with her family in Roskilde in Denmark, a country ranked as one ..read more

Special Guest: Frank Tschan, Director International School Düsseldorf, Germany A high number of stamps in your passport means that you are well-travelled, but it does not necessarily mean that you are intercultural competent. How to turn cross-cultural encounters into intercultural learning? In today’s global era where people, goods, money, and information are flowing faster than ever across borders, we increasingly interact with people from another culture. Our societies, schools, and workplaces are highly diversified. The virtual environment even enhances this development.This brings opportu ..read more