How to navigate culture shock and get out of the slump

I began my journey as an educator over 20 years ago. At that time, I didn’t have formal training, but I possessed strong skills; I was among the few able to teach website development and photo editing software. It quickly became clear to both me and my employers that I had a talent for making complex topics easy to understand. It all came down to this: I wasn't truly happy until my students understood and mastered the topics. I consistently looked for ways to simplify my lessons, creating step-by-step processes and identifying specific tips that would lead to those pivotal "a-ha" moments for my students. I drew upon my own experiences with learning new software and applications to become a more effective educator. I continue this approach today as a mental and emotional health practitioner working with expatriates and organizations. I frequently draw on my experiences as an expat, immigrant, and English as a Second Language speaker to connect with my clients and navigate cultural differences, which often lie in the small details. A few weeks ago, I attended a short training session. The facilitator aimed to keep the atmosphere light and engaging by creating a trivia game based on a popular North American TV show. However, they didn’t consider that half of the participants were immigrants and might not understand the references. The rules of the game weren’t explained upfront, leaving many of us confused about how to participate. While the Canadian-born attendees responded with enthusiasm, we immigrants struggled initially. Thankfully, we eventually figured it out after a couple of rounds, but I couldn’t help but wonder if the experience could have been more engaging and educational for everyone involved. It emphasizes the importance of understanding your audience—their challenges and what pieces are missing from their puzzle. This is why, if you’re living abroad and seeking to improve your mental wellness, it’s crucial to find someone who shares your experiences as an expat. Look for someone who understands the same issues, triggers, and victories. A practitioner who can leverage their own journey for your benefit and truly see you in your uniqueness. The ultimate goal should be to establish a deep connection between you and your mental and emotional health practitioner. If you're living abroad and you've hit a slump, book a session with me. I use a mix of Emotional Freedom Technique, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Hypnotherapy and Emotional Intelligence to support my clients during they journey in a foreign country, so they can evolve and achieve their goals. To book a private session click here.

Finding a good job when moving abroad can be challenging. By "good job," I mean one that aligns with your education, experience, and expertise. If you struggled to find such a position, it might be due to two main reasons: first, you may not understand how the hiring system works in your new country, and second, you might be applying your native cultural mindset to the job hunt. What works in your home country may not be effective in your host country. Understanding the workplace culture of your new environment is crucial for both job searching and job retention. Many talented, skilled, and educated immigrants take low-paying jobs simply because they lack "Canadian experience"—meaning they have not worked in Canada before. Employers often hesitate to hire immigrants because they are unsure if these new hires will understand the local system and adhere to its rules. This is why I am passionate about my role as a facilitator at the Workplace Language and Culture Hub, offered by the Immigrant Welcome Centre of Campbell River and funded by the Royal Bank of Canada. Alongside Chris Gunn, I work with talented immigrants aiming to advance their careers and integrate into Canadian workplace culture. My focus is on exploring the differences between their home country's workplace cultures and that of Canada. Through meaningful conversations and examples based on my experiences as an expat, I help my students examine soft skills, conflict resolution, unwritten rules, and cultural shock. Together, we shift their perspectives, as knowledge and adaptability are key to thriving in any new community. For example, when I first applied for jobs in Canada, I wished someone had told me that soft skills are just as important as hard skills and that they can be learned. In Italy, my resume simply listed my work experience and hard skills, without acknowledging my soft skills. I had them, but no one had taught me how to articulate them. As my career has evolved, I now dedicate extra effort to developing my soft skills while also documenting my success stories and achievements. I continually observe the workplaces I encounter, as there is much to learn from those around me. One of the reasons I do this is to share knowledge and experience with my students. I believe it's important for them to hear from someone who has faced similar challenges and uncertainties. We are all unique, navigating our adaptation to a new community while striving to remain true to ourselves. That is the beauty of being an immigrant.