When Maya’s manager asked her to lead the company’s new Singapore office, her first reaction was excitement. Her second was pure panic. She was a single mother of two and had never even been to Asia. She had a million questions and no idea where to start.
That night she did what many of us do. She turned to Google. An hour later she was more confused and overwhelmed than when she started. Conflicting information, outdated blog posts, and generic travel tips weren’t going to cut it. Then her mobility manager introduced her to the International Relocation Center by Living Abroad.
For the first time everything she needed was in one place. The IRC’s guided pathways walked her through each stage of the relocation journey in a way that made sense — from pre-departure all the way through arrival and settling in. No more guessing. No more rabbit holes.
She found destination content covering Singapore’s healthcare system, schools, neighborhoods and cultural norms. She discovered what to expect in her first team meeting and how to help her kids adjust. When she discovered that her son James needed ADHD medication she found detailed guidance on Singapore’s strict drug control laws, how to navigate bringing his prescription into the country, and info about special needs education resources all within minutes. What had felt impossible suddenly felt doable.
It really is the small things that make the biggest difference. The right information at the right moment. Knowing exactly how to greet her new colleagues and navigate the many cultural nuances that make Singapore unique — from business etiquette to communication styles. Cultural context that helped her walk into her first Singapore team meeting with confidence. Each of those moments told Maya she wasn’t in this alone.
Were there still hard days? Absolutely. Culture shock is real. Homesickness is real. But because Maya felt prepared and supported, she was able to push through and focus on what mattered — her team, her growth, and watching her kids discover a whole new world.
Two years later Maya came home more confident, more resilient, and incredibly proud of what her family had accomplished. At her repatriation debrief she told her mobility team something that has stayed with me.
“You didn’t just relocate me. You took care of us. The resources you gave me made me feel prepared, supported and valued every step of the way. And because of that I gave this company everything I had.”
That is exactly why we do what we do.
Are you ready to give your assignees the support they deserve? If so, let’s talk.
Written by Cathy Heyne, GMS-T, President
