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Last year X-Expats interviewed Alan Paul, American Expat/Repat, Writer (Wall Street Journal, Guitar World and Slam Magazines), Blogger, and Musician to discuss his overseas experience.  Since returning from China, Alan has worked on numerous projects including turning his cross-cultural experience into a memoir. We are very grateful that Alan took time out of his hectic schedule to answer our questions following the release of his book “Big in China, my unlikely adventures raising a family, playing the blues, and becoming a star in Beijing”.

X-Expats: What prompted you to write “Big in China”?   

Alan Paul: I used to say that I would have written the book even if I hadn’t gotten a deal but now that I know how much work was involved, I can’t really say that. I would have wanted to write something but would have been less ambitious. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on all my experiences in China, synthesize them and try to understand just what had happened.

X-Expats interviewed Norman Viss, co-founder of Isolated Internationals, a new online coaching service provided to global citizens. Norman answered our questions on the purpose of coaching, the types of challenges his clients face, and his use of online tools in helping isolated individuals achieve their personal or professional goals. Originally from the United States, Norman is a Third Culture Adult (“TCA”) having lived in Nigeria and the Netherlands, and traveled extensively.  He is the father of three Third Culture Kids (“TCK”), and plans to repatriate to the US for the foreseeable future later this year.

X-Expats: What brought you to coaching?

Norman Viss: I got into coaching quite by accident. Several years ago a number of people asked me to coach them regarding various issues. I enjoyed it very much, because coaching works with healthy people with strong motivation to make changes or follow new paths in their lives.

Last year, X-Expats interviewed on the topic of successful expatriation, Nathalie Leroy, founder of the French relocation company Inexpat. In this second part interview, Nathalie discusses with us the practical steps individuals can take to make the return to the country of origin easier. Located in the Paris metropolitan area, Inexpat provides a complete range of services related to international mobility (housing, schools, administrative tasks, immigration, taxes, employment contracts, language courses and any other services on demand). This year, the company will implement a new online case management tool that will allow companies and expatriates to track the status of their cases and access relevant information and documents.

X-Expats: In your experience, when an expat repatriates to his/her home country, which areas require most attention and planning (i.e. housing, children’s education, healthcare, finance)?

Nathalie Leroy: Most of these repatriation issues should be considered before moving.  For example, a French family on assignment in Brazil may have children attend a Brazilian school if there is no French school locally. This may become an issue when children need to re-integrate the French education system as they will need equivalent academic credentials.