STEPPING FORWARD COACHING
Coaching & Consulting for Expats
About Margie
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Meet Margie
When did I first become an expat?
If possible, I think I was born that way!
I was raised on my great-aunt's tales of moving to Colombia in the post-WWII years and my mom's stories of living in New Zealand in the 1960's.
I lived abroad on three separate occasions myself as an exchange student during my high school and university years. First to Tokyo, Japan; next to the Soviet Union; and finally to Moscow, Russia (after the fall of the wall).
As an adult, I accepted a job as the Coordinator of International Relations for the town of Motoyama in Japan - and moved once again!
I have firsthand experience of the frustrations, stress and isolation living as an expat can bring, and I didn't like how these problems spoiled my excitement at living in a new place and culture. Even more, I didn't like how they affected my health! (Hospitals can be stressful enough when you understand what's going on; they're certainly not where you want to find yourself on your own without any translation! Trust me on this...)
What to do?
In some instances, organizations and employers offered orientations, and so I attended. I also read handbooks and blogs, and tried to pick up tips and answers from them...and they helped a bit. (At the least, they were good entertainment!) But in the end, these generic offerings didn't provide the answers to the problems I was facing as an expat. They didn't know the specifics of my life, they couldn't tell me how to fix my problems!
I discovered the solutions I needed through trial and error on my own. My first experiences abroad were not comfortable at all. And I missed out on a lot of opportunities. But finally I learned what to do to accelerate my acclimation to a new country and how to put down the roots that let me thrive wherever I choose to be.
Results?
Irritations and frustrations melted away. I had more energy than ever before, new opportunities presented themselves left and right, and my expat lifestyle became even more satisfying and effortless than my life back in the US had been!
Sharing the benefit!
I've applied the principles behind the solutions I found to a variety of situations with success. And I found that others benefited just as much as me! This discovery led me to involve myself in work where I could guide others one-on-one just as I wish I could have been guided.
Where have I used these principles?
I’m a native of the Pacific Northwest who calls the world her home. I admit to having the travel bug, and so far have either visited or lived on 6 out of the 7 continents. (Africa is yet to come, but I'm sure I'll get there soon!)
I believe in following my heart, which has led me through a variety of fascinating experiences and adventures - not the least of which is marriage to my wonderful husband who fortunately shares many of my interests and has probably has had even more adventures than me. He's done things like climb the peaks of Central Asia and is set to visit the North Pole in the summer of 2010!
For the moment I live in Washington state, but that is always subject to change! In addition to coaching, I enjoy spending time with friends, hiking & camping, and testing out exotic new recipes on whoever happens to come to dinner.
When did I first become an expat?
If possible, I think I was born that way!
I was raised on my great-aunt's tales of moving to Colombia in the post-WWII years and my mom's stories of living in New Zealand in the 1960's.
I lived abroad on three separate occasions myself as an exchange student during my high school and university years. First to Tokyo, Japan; next to the Soviet Union; and finally to Moscow, Russia (after the fall of the wall).
As an adult, I accepted a job as the Coordinator of International Relations for the town of Motoyama in Japan - and moved once again!
I have firsthand experience of the frustrations, stress and isolation living as an expat can bring, and I didn't like how these problems spoiled my excitement at living in a new place and culture. Even more, I didn't like how they affected my health! (Hospitals can be stressful enough when you understand what's going on; they're certainly not where you want to find yourself on your own without any translation! Trust me on this...)
What to do?
In some instances, organizations and employers offered orientations, and so I attended. I also read handbooks and blogs, and tried to pick up tips and answers from them...and they helped a bit. (At the least, they were good entertainment!) But in the end, these generic offerings didn't provide the answers to the problems I was facing as an expat. They didn't know the specifics of my life, they couldn't tell me how to fix my problems!
I discovered the solutions I needed through trial and error on my own. My first experiences abroad were not comfortable at all. And I missed out on a lot of opportunities. But finally I learned what to do to accelerate my acclimation to a new country and how to put down the roots that let me thrive wherever I choose to be.
Results?
Irritations and frustrations melted away. I had more energy than ever before, new opportunities presented themselves left and right, and my expat lifestyle became even more satisfying and effortless than my life back in the US had been!
Sharing the benefit!
I've applied the principles behind the solutions I found to a variety of situations with success. And I found that others benefited just as much as me! This discovery led me to involve myself in work where I could guide others one-on-one just as I wish I could have been guided.
Where have I used these principles?
- At work in multi-cultural offices, sometimes where I'm the only non-native employee.
- At home, navigating an intercultural marriage!
- Mentoring & counseling exchange students and their host families.
- Assisting refugees in adapting to life in the USA.
- As a support / resource for other expats as an Expat Coach.
I’m a native of the Pacific Northwest who calls the world her home. I admit to having the travel bug, and so far have either visited or lived on 6 out of the 7 continents. (Africa is yet to come, but I'm sure I'll get there soon!)
I believe in following my heart, which has led me through a variety of fascinating experiences and adventures - not the least of which is marriage to my wonderful husband who fortunately shares many of my interests and has probably has had even more adventures than me. He's done things like climb the peaks of Central Asia and is set to visit the North Pole in the summer of 2010!
For the moment I live in Washington state, but that is always subject to change! In addition to coaching, I enjoy spending time with friends, hiking & camping, and testing out exotic new recipes on whoever happens to come to dinner.
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Margie Banin, Expat Coach Stepping Forward Coaching Tel: +1 425.341.0419 Skype: steppingforward |
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