“Adjusting to a new culture can be stressful. You need time and energy to support your family and you also need to go easy on yourself,” says expat partner Maria Kolgina.
The value of patience
“When I first arrived in Bratislava in 2022, I was very excited. It was a new beginning. I wanted to make a fast start by learning the language and finding a job. I spoke to my Global Connection consultant Ines Ahrens, who advised me to be patient. She told me: ‘The kids need to settle in. You need to settle in. The whole family needs to establish new routines…’,” says Maria. “Looking back, I can say she was 100% right. Both of my kids found the adjustment challenging. If I’d found work straightaway, I wouldn’t have been able to support them sufficiently. It takes more time than you think to settle in…”
Communications manager
The last time we spoke with Maria, she was focussed on learning Slovakian before her relocation: “I’m not yet fluent but when it comes to speaking the local language, I’m definitely the communications manager of the family! The kids had to prioritise improving their English after joining an international school. Learning Slovakian was not essential and we didn’t want to overload them, especially my son, now 12. It was a big challenge for him but he’s now doing really well.”
The dream hybrid role
“For me, I can see there are career opportunities here in Bratislava. But I’m still studying Slovakian every day and my kids also require my support. I can imagine that so many expat partners all around the world are in the same situation, hoping to find a way to balance family life with their career development,” says Maria. “I say hybrid roles or part time jobs for everyone!”
Dealing with uncertainty
“I’ve also been working with a coach, who has helped me a great deal. It’s not just about enhancing your CV, or advising you how to speak to a potential employer. She has been an expat too and she understands what I am experiencing as I try to adjust to a new culture and build a new life here in Slovakia. Her kindness and empathy is a very effective form of support in itself. It has helped me to overcome feelings of uncertainty, gain new perspectives on life and make plans for the future. I am very grateful for that.”
Photo: Maria Kolgina
All Global Connection’s corporate clients are leading multinationals. Due to some of their policies, we no longer use their name in public articles. However, expat partners signed in to our private Media & Network can see the multinational’s name.
