RELOCATING PARTNERS FIND SUCCESS AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD

Courtney Lind • November 27, 2019

Across the world, relocating partners are finding success in their career goals, aided by the support of their NetExpat consultants.

Relocating partners and spouses of expatriates on assignment face a unique set of experiences and challenges that begin the moment they start to consider an international move. There can be a great deal of uncertainty surrounding their new role in the host country – whether this involves working, integrating into the community, raising a family, developing a new social network, or any combination of these. 


Each international assignment is entirely unique, and NetExpat consultants all over the world work with relocating partners to help them find success abroad. In the stories below you’ll see how three individuals have made the most of their time abroad and continue to grow both personally and professionally.

Therese Kaziule relocated with her husband and their young son from Brussels to Singapore 2 years ago and continues to enjoy all the new experiences and culture that the island nation has to offer. With the help of NetExpat consultant Alka Chandiramani, Therese was able to launch her own marketing and communications business and has since been growing her network within Singapore. 

While the move hasn’t been without the challenges of missing family and the European culture, Therese is a strong proponent of taking the leap and exploring a new way of life abroad. As she tells Alka, “take the chance to move somewhere else. Don’t be afraid to push the boundaries and accept the unknown. To move and to settle into another country is fantastic and you will learn about other cultures and people - but also about yourself.”

When Gosia Makowska relocated from Poland to the UK, she already had an established business set up and used the relocation as a chance to grow this business in the UK and abroad. Her role as a Child Sleep Consultant involves solving children’s sleep issues using a holistic approach for her business, SleepConcept.


“As an expat partner with two small children (3 and 5 years old), I experienced new emotions and problems, and I realised that my mission could be further expanded to help relocating families not only in Poland and in the UK but also internationally. So, my goal now is to help as many parents as possible and also learn more about the local and relocating families,”says Gosia. Her NetExpat consultant Krystyna Leyland was passionate about helping connect her with as many people as possible that could assist in growing the business, one that is certainly a need experienced by families across the world.

Language barriers can often add a layer of complexity for relocating partners looking to break into the local market, as Francesca Vignato experienced when moving to Japan. As a native Italian speaker also fluent in English, she found that priority for many jobs was given to native Japanese or English speakers. But she continued applying within her desired field and eventually landed at an NGO.

As Francesca told her NetExpat consultant, Costanza Marinelli, “the very rewarding aspect is that I did not lose confidence and, in the end, it paid off. Thanks to your help, I had a number of interviews, I was even in the position to refuse an offer and to start working in an NGO.” As it is customary to go out and spend time socializing with colleagues outside of the office in Japan, Francesca has been able to create meaningful connections with her colleagues and is confident that this role is helping her to develop both personally and professionally.

We wish Therese, Gosia, and Francesca continued success abroad and look forward to hearing what they do next. They have also taken advantage of the NetExpat Community in order to connect with others abroad. Over 5,000 members strong and growing, the NetExpat Community is the #1 social network dedicated entirely to relocating partners. Through the platform members can connect with those facing similar experiences and challenges, enjoy access to local events, and access exclusive online content covering topics such as repatriation, job search, moving with children, and social integration.

Share this post

July 21, 2026
Learn how businesses can build workforce agility through flexible talent strategies, empowering employees and driving long-term organizational success.
July 1, 2026
Patricia Biffi brings a rich blend of business acumen and global perspective to her role at NetExpat, shaped by her journey from Brazil’s dynamic fashion retail industry to building a new chapter in the United States. With nearly two decades of experience spanning commercial and marketing leadership, she developed a strong foundation in driving growth, building high-performing teams, and keeping people at the center of every decision. Having personally navigated the challenges of relocation and career reinvention, Patricia combines resilience, adaptability, and a people-first mindset with a deep appreciation for cross-cultural experiences and the evolving landscape of global mobility.
By NetExpat Account July 1, 2026
The pharmaceutical industry is operating under extraordinary and accelerating pressure. Patent cliffs heightened regulatory scrutiny, geopolitical instability, pricing constraints, and an increasingly complex global R&D and manufacturing footprint are pushing organizations to do more—faster, with fewer resources, and under intense public and stakeholder scrutiny. At the same time, demand for specialized talent has never been higher.  Unlike extractive or capital‑intensive industries such as oil and gas, pharma cannot rely on large financial incentives to drive international mobility. Scientific, regulatory, medical affairs, and quality expertise are scarce globally—yet many of the very professionals pharma needs most are reluctant to relocate. Dual‑career households, two‑income families, caregiving responsibilities, and reduced appetite for long assignments mean traditional mobility levers are no longer sufficient. In this context, Global Mobility (GM) is no longer just an enabler of relocation—it must become a strategic talent catalyst.
By NetExpat Account June 16, 2026
Whether driven by mergers, digital transformation, geopolitical shifts, or evolving market demands, change affects every corner of a global organization. And without the right support, teams can suffer, along with morale and alignment. Profit losses, decreased productivity, attrition and reputational damage are very real risks, and often signs that an organization’s change strategy failed to account for cultural context—both the organization’s internal culture and the cultural identities of its employees. Change is universal, but how we deal with it is deeply cultural. Even the most well-designed initiative can falter if it overlooks one critical factor: how people experience change. In global teams, that experience isn’t just shaped by roles, responsibilities, and team dynamics. It’s also shaped by the cultural norms, values, and perspectives each person brings to the workplace. And when leaders assume their teams will respond to change the same way they do, communications and processes can quietly unravel—sometimes under the radar and long before the negative impacts are fully recognized. To lead and address change effectively, business leaders need to understand the cultural lenses that shape how change is perceived, processed, and embraced (or rejected).
By NetExpat Community June 10, 2026
This blog post offers a glimpse into the exclusive content available to members of the NetExpat Community —designed specifically for the partners and spouses of transferees. From curated resources to peer-driven insights, this sample reflects the kind of meaningful support that helps partners/spouses feel seen, connected, and empowered.
By NetExpat Account May 13, 2026
Meet Pawl Mika, a globally minded leader at NetExpat whose international career and personal relocation experience shape his people-first approach to global mobility, client success, and team collaboration.
Car racing into sunrise
By NetExpat Account May 13, 2026
Navigating ambiguity in the automotive industry requires more than technical expertise. Discover how intercultural capability helps global teams improve communication, align priorities, and stay competitive under pressure.
By NetExpat Account May 5, 2026
Gabi brings a thoughtful, human‑centered approach to her work at NetExpat, shaped by a background in intercultural communication and international collaboration. With a strong belief that cultural competence is built through awareness, adaptability, and reflection, she designs practical, evidence‑based learning experiences that help people navigate complexity with confidence. Passionate about how adults learn and change, Gabi is motivated by creating solutions that make a real difference in how individuals and organisations work, connect, and thrive across cultures.
By Alain Verstandig April 13, 2026
Duty of care has long been central to global mobility—but its scope is widening. As organizations face new workforce expectations, diverse family profiles, and increasingly global teams, the question becomes: What does meaningful care look like today?
By NetExpat Account April 7, 2026
In a recent conversation with NetExpat, Mark Vaughan, Head of Global Mobility Policy at Maersk, offered a candid look at what it takes to modernize mobility policies in a way that is practical, inclusive, and aligned with today’s workforce realities.
Show More