Expat coaching

Whether you’re embarking on a personal career relocation or accompanying a loved one, the journey of settling into a new country and culture is filled with its share of highs and lows. Having the right tools to thrive in your new environment is essential.

A serial expat herself, Shannon MacDonald brings a wealth of insight gained from living and working across seven countries. She leverages this experience to support expats in navigating the challenges faced while living abroad.

Tailoring her coaching programs to meet the unique needs of each client, Shannon provides support throughout all stages of expat life. From preparing for expatriation, to settling into a new home abroad, to helping expat spouses create portable careers, she offers guidance every step of the way.

Known for her empathetic and supportive approach, Shannon creates a safe and non-judgmental space to ensure her clients feel confident and empowered throughout their coaching journey.

Find out more about Shannon’s expat coaching programs below.

coaching programs

expat

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portable

career

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Why do I need an expat coach?

Regardless of your “why”, expat coaching will give you the tools to navigate life abroad with confidence. Whether you are relocating for your own career or accompanying a partner or family member, the process of settling into a new country and culture can be difficult. Aside from the practical aspects of an international move (sorting your visa, housing, schooling, etc.), expat life presents both challenges and opportunities. It is essential to have the right tools to thrive in your new environment. Working with a coach will ensure you’re prepared to make the most of the experience and create the expat life you want to live. Some situations a coach can help with:

I am preparing for the journey of expat life and want to have a plan to overcome potential challenges
I am moving/living overseas for my partner's job and would like support with my own career
I want to return to work after a career break and am not sure where to start
I want to do something that is meaningful, purposeful, and portable
I am struggling to navigate cultural differences in my new location
I am experiencing loneliness, lack of purpose, or loss of confidence since moving abroad
I need help establishing a local network and support system

Before working with a coach, it’s important to make sure you are compatible. The compatibility call is the time for us to introduce ourselves to one another, discuss why you’re interested in coaching and what you are hoping to gain from the coaching relationship. In turn, I will answer any questions you might have and explain my coaching philosophy. It’s important that you feel a sense of connection and trust with your coach so that you can be open and honest in future sessions.

Book a free compatibility call to see if I’m the right fit for you.

Testimonials

The one word that comes to mind as a result of my coaching sessions with Shannon is "clarity". She encouraged me to challenge the assumptions I had made about myself and to believe I could do more than I thought. This helped quiet my critical inner voice and allowed me to see through the fog. The small changes I've made have had a huge impact and I'm so thankful to Shannon for leading me through this process. She encouraged me to dig deep to figure out what I really wanted and to believe I could make it happen. Her open and encouraging personality put me at ease right away. When we began our sessions I was in a position of confusion with negative thoughts and doubts in my head. Now I'm moving forward with our plan and am excited for the next chapter of my life.

One of the most striking attributes of Shannon is that she makes you feel warmly welcomed, by being all ears to the conversation. Her soothing persona eradicates every fear of judgement and makes you feel that you are accepted unconditionally. I strongly recommend Shannon and I believe that coaching with her will help people in rediscovering themselves.

I had the opportunity & pleasure of a fantastic coaching engagement with Shannon. I met Shannon during a career change that had me with some shaken confidence and, I began to realize, some general paralysis about moving forward. Shannon’s compassionate and inquisitive approach was instrumental in helping me uncover these self-limiting beliefs and helped to move me into action. Shannon was supportive and encouraging through the course of our conversations, and at the same time challenged me to move beyond my current state and see what was possible. I left many sessions feeling empowered and optimistic. I would highly recommend Shannon to anyone in career transition or seeking to gain clarity on their path forward.

Shannon was a great coach. She created a safe, supportive yet challenging environment. Shannon helped me identify the type of leader I want to become and talked through practical ways for me to implement as well how to identify early if I was going off track. Shannon was insightful and able to analyse issues and asking penetrating questions to get me to dig deeper on issues. This helped me identify areas for change and implement ways to improve. Shannon has helped me to truly “hold up a mirror" to myself. The sessions have been both challenging and very rewarding. Shannon style was professional, relaxed, informal and challenging. Shannon was very accommodating to my busy schedule and always showed flexibility.

Shannon was a great coach. She created a safe, supportive yet challenging environment. Shannon helped me identify the type of leader I want to become and talked through practical ways for me to implement as well how to identify early if I was going off track. Shannon was insightful and able to analyse issues and asking penetrating questions to get me to dig deeper on issues. This helped me identify areas for change and implement ways to improve. Shannon has helped me to truly “hold up a mirror" to myself. The sessions have been both challenging and very rewarding. Shannon style was professional, relaxed, informal and challenging. Shannon was very accommodating to my busy schedule and always showed flexibility.
Fawzia, Finance Manager
I had the opportunity & pleasure of a fantastic coaching engagement with Shannon. I met Shannon during a career change that had me with some shaken confidence and, I began to realize, some general paralysis about moving forward. Shannon’s compassionate and inquisitive approach was instrumental in helping me uncover these self-limiting beliefs and helped to move me into action. Shannon was supportive and encouraging through the course of our conversations, and at the same time challenged me to move beyond my current state and see what was possible. I left many sessions feeling empowered and optimistic. I would highly recommend Shannon to anyone in career transition or seeking to gain clarity on their path forward.
Sheila, Human Resources VP
The one word that comes to mind as a result of my coaching sessions with Shannon is "clarity". She encouraged me to challenge the assumptions I had made about myself and to believe I could do more than I thought. This helped quiet my critical inner voice and allowed me to see through the fog. The small changes I've made have had a huge impact and I'm so thankful to Shannon for leading me through this process. She encouraged me to dig deep to figure out what I really wanted and to believe I could make it happen. Her open and encouraging personality put me at ease right away. When we began our sessions I was in a position of confusion with negative thoughts and doubts in my head. Now I'm moving forward with our plan and am excited for the next chapter of my life.
Sarah, returning to work after extended maternity leave
One of the most striking attributes of Shannon is that she makes you feel warmly welcomed, by being all ears to the conversation. Her soothing persona eradicates every fear of judgement and makes you feel that you are accepted unconditionally. I strongly recommend Shannon and I believe that coaching with her will help people in rediscovering themselves.
Sadia, Psychologist and mother, reassessing career goals