by Dr. Aliye Kurt

“That which does not kill me makes me stronger” Nietzsche

Being an expat presents many professional and personal opportunities along with its unique challenges. It provides people chances to move forward in their careers, add new professional and life skills in their toolbox, learn about new cultures, build exciting relationships and maybe more importantly, learn more about themselves. But it also means having to let go of your attachments to places and people and even parts of your identity – none of which are easy – as well as need to put extra effort to build a social network, adapt to a new culture with its language, norms and communication styles. And yes, all this can be hard work! However, with the right attitude and good support all these opportunities and challenges could be turned into valuable self-growth and great relationships.

But what happens if you add yet another one – namely, the recent financial crisis - on top of the already existing challenges? If we unpack it, financial crisis translates into uncertainty; changing roles and increasing responsibilities as a result of downsizing; or being laid off. The bottom line: it means more need for adaptability, flexibility and stress management. But guess what, there’s good news! Good news is being an expat actually makes YOU better equipped to tackle these challenges and more likely to thrive! Let me explain how.

First, you are an expert in adapting to change. You’ve done it already by moving and adapting to another country. More specifically, your skills and characteristics such as: being open minded, flexible, and curious; high levels of motivation; and willingness and commitment to explore possibilities assisted you along the way. Current economic situation requires you to use the same set of skills in adapting to uncertainty and changes that come with it.

Secondly, you already have an impressive toolbox full of coping skills. Economic changes and probable lay offs are major stressors people have to deal with. As an expat, you’ve had more practice in honing your coping skills when you left your family and friends behind, and managed to find your way around in a new culture. It is likely that you already have an impressive set of coping strategies under your belt including:

- Reframing (i.e., perceiving some value or gain in seemingly negative situations)

- Establishing a social support network

- Exercising

- Meditation and/or religious practices

Coping literature in psychology is full of findings that show people who endure hardship often experience positive growth. Challenging times, such as the current economic situation, could therefore be seen as an opportunity to enhance coping skills and amplify personal strengths and inner resources essential for resilience and mastery of challenge and change – factors that are at the very core of many expat lives. Here are few tips to go beyond just surviving or recovering, and rather be one of those who thrive:

1. Reflect and further build on your strengths that have made you a successful expat – your adaptability, flexibility, motivation, ability to read social cues, sociability and empathy, among others.

2. Make reframing and perspective change your best cognitive tools. Shift your perspective from seeing the situation as a threat to seeing it as an opportunity. Ask the questions: What if this challenge is actually my best opportunity? How could this be the doorway?

3. Be conscious and active in using the abovementioned coping strategies, and do not slide into avoidance coping, which involves working to blunt your emotional reactions by denying or avoiding the events, or by drinking, drugs, and other distractions.

And remember, being an expat gives you an additional edge to be one of those who thrive in face of challenges – reap off the benefits!

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Dr. Aliye Kurt - Suedhoff is a social psychologist and a professional coach. Having lived in Turkey, Vancouver, Berlin, and Frankfurt, she enjoys being part of diverse expatriate and international communities. She currently lives in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and works globally through her company (www.setsailcoaching.com).