About Marie and why I am doing this…

Welcome to Great Expatations – 365 tips to help expatriates rise above a life interrupted!

As a seasoned expatriate with 22 moves under her belt and a life coaching business that caters specifically for expats, I wondered what I could do to help my wider community live their expat lives more fully in 2010. After watching ‘Julie and Julia’ on yet another plane going to yet another destination, it came to me… Why not write 52 weeks worth of tips for living an easier, happier, fuller and more rewarding expat life – one tip per day for a whole year? As usual I answered my own question - because that would mean you have to come up with 365 tips and write one every day for a year.  Fun yes, daunting, yes again – but what a hoot!

Marie B.

So one year and 365 plus tips later – I realized that I achieved my goal – and now what? I plan to write more in 2011 – just not quite as much. I also plan to create four seasons worth of Expat Tip books from this blog… somehow…. somewhere… watch this space.

And the coup de gras? An expat online interview series… soon to be seen at theexpaTView.com. Watch that space too…

Please feel free to visit my website www.zencompassnow.com or email me at marie@zencompassnow.com or call me +1 730 431 0220 for more information.

 

About Marie C. Brice…

I was born in New Zealand and made Australia my home of choice many years ago even though I do not live there now. Our three children however do, so I know one day I will begin the repatriation challenges many expats face when they decide to stop their gypsy ways!

Sometime during the end of the last century, I trained as a teacher and have taught, trained and facilitated for over 20 years. Whilst living in Malaysia I gained a Masters in Social Science and then became a Certified Professional Coach during my next move to Houston. My passions include singing in a band, traveling (go figure!), yoga, the great outdoors, lifelong learning and really getting to know my fellow human beings. I truly understand every level of challenge that expats face.

My memory continuum includes managing 40 people at a College of Education, followed by a stint in Asia where I stood paralyzed with fear at a local Chinese Market because I lost sight of my husband and had absolutely no idea which way home was! Where had my tough managerial image and sense of self gone? My confidence needed a boost so I studied, immersed, talked to people and worked as a global communications coordinator for an expatriate spouse support organization helping 7000 spouses in 120 global locations get more in tune with who and where they were.

This all led to my coaching training and the development of the ‘Rising above a life interrupted’ Expat Coaching Program. Expat living can be and is an awesome experience – but it can also be challenging and terrifying even when you think you are living in a culture similar to your own.

Imagine starting the journey with someone who really knows how you are feeling and can help you move towards your life goals wherever you are!