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Marta_Zielinska_ProjectAbroadBlog

Author

Hi, my name is Marta. I am combining my psychological, business and intercultural experience to offer advice on successful living and working across cultures. I believe that everything is possible for such an ambitious and talented person as yourself! With some exercises, self-reflection and new knowledge, you can grow your cultural intelligence and build a successful international career, mind and life.

Recent Posts

Is moving abroad a good choice?
D.I.V.E. in with awareness or stay confused
How to stay connected with family and friends when living abroad
Are you experiencing identity crisis while living abroad?
Temporary move which turned out to be a longer-term international adventure – Claudia’s Spanish story

Instagram

Culture-generic approach - yay or nay?

While deep diving into cultural learning about specific cultures can be useful at times, I believe it’s valuable to start broader at first, especially when you work across cultures and with multiple cultures frequently in your work. It’s hard to become expert in navigating 15 different cultures. But you can improve your cultural competences which are a set of skills that is more universal and can help you also in unknown situations.

#expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

projectabroadblog

•

Culture-generic approach - yay or nay? While deep diving into cultural learning about specific cultures can be useful at times, I believe it’s valuable to start broader at first, especially when you work across cultures and with multiple cultures frequently in your work. It’s hard to become expert in navigating 15 different cultures. But you can improve your cultural competences which are a set of skills that is more universal and can help you also in unknown situations. #expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

21 hours ago

View on Instagram |

1/9

I found that putting words to what you're experiencing can be very liberating and growth-provoking. ⁠
⁠
Thanks to a greater understanding of what you're going through, and understanding that you're not the only one with these experiences, you can stop going in circles with just your thoughts and actually start moving forward. ⁠
⁠
👉️Solution-oriented coaching is great when you feel like something's holding you back and you want to change it, but don't know where to start. ⁠
⁠
It may at first seem like we're talking a lot about the present, exploring the current situation and desired goals from many angles, but the reality is that awareness of the present (your situation, feelings, thoughts and resulting actions) is bringing you closer to moving forward with each even smallest insight. ⁠
⁠
As a coach, I believe that you have the answers within you already, that you know yourself best. However, even if you do, sometimes the external voices block out or distort your inner needs and wants, and you may need support to tap into that inner wisdom, with help of the right tools.⁠
⁠
👇️👇️👇️⁠
I'm curious to know - if you're not working on developing your cross-cultural competences right now, what's stopping you? ⁠
⁠
If you are - what are you gaining from it?⁠
⁠
⁠
#expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

projectabroadblog

•

I found that putting words to what you're experiencing can be very liberating and growth-provoking. ⁠ ⁠ Thanks to a greater understanding of what you're going through, and understanding that you're not the only one with these experiences, you can stop going in circles with just your thoughts and actually start moving forward. ⁠ ⁠ 👉️Solution-oriented coaching is great when you feel like something's holding you back and you want to change it, but don't know where to start. ⁠ ⁠ It may at first seem like we're talking a lot about the present, exploring the current situation and desired goals from many angles, but the reality is that awareness of the present (your situation, feelings, thoughts and resulting actions) is bringing you closer to moving forward with each even smallest insight. ⁠ ⁠ As a coach, I believe that you have the answers within you already, that you know yourself best. However, even if you do, sometimes the external voices block out or distort your inner needs and wants, and you may need support to tap into that inner wisdom, with help of the right tools.⁠ ⁠ 👇️👇️👇️⁠ I'm curious to know - if you're not working on developing your cross-cultural competences right now, what's stopping you? ⁠ ⁠ If you are - what are you gaining from it?⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

3 days ago

View on Instagram |

2/9

Why do you think we don’t talk much about these uncomfortable emotions related to moving abroad?

#expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

projectabroadblog

•

Why do you think we don’t talk much about these uncomfortable emotions related to moving abroad? #expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

6 days ago

View on Instagram |

3/9

Where would you place yourself on this scale?🤔⁠
⁠
While you may be in the adaptation stage with one culture, when you encounter another one that you haven't known before (for example - start working with a new team in a new country, or move abroad to a new place), you may be sent back to the ethnocentric stages for a bit. ⁠
⁠
As with any model, it's an illustration of phases people experience when navigating new cultures, and it's not necessarily linear. ⁠
⁠
It's important to recognise these within us though, and naming what we experience is a useful way to move forward from frustrations or challenges we experience. ⁠
⁠
Want to learn more about yourself and develop skills to help you work more confidently and effectively across cultures? DM me the word 'CULTURAL' and let's chat about how I can help you solve your culturally-tinted challenges.⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

Where would you place yourself on this scale?🤔⁠
⁠
While you may be in the adaptation stage with one culture, when you encounter another one that you haven't known before (for example - start working with a new team in a new country, or move abroad to a new place), you may be sent back to the ethnocentric stages for a bit. ⁠
⁠
As with any model, it's an illustration of phases people experience when navigating new cultures, and it's not necessarily linear. ⁠
⁠
It's important to recognise these within us though, and naming what we experience is a useful way to move forward from frustrations or challenges we experience. ⁠
⁠
Want to learn more about yourself and develop skills to help you work more confidently and effectively across cultures? DM me the word 'CULTURAL' and let's chat about how I can help you solve your culturally-tinted challenges.⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

Where would you place yourself on this scale?🤔⁠
⁠
While you may be in the adaptation stage with one culture, when you encounter another one that you haven't known before (for example - start working with a new team in a new country, or move abroad to a new place), you may be sent back to the ethnocentric stages for a bit. ⁠
⁠
As with any model, it's an illustration of phases people experience when navigating new cultures, and it's not necessarily linear. ⁠
⁠
It's important to recognise these within us though, and naming what we experience is a useful way to move forward from frustrations or challenges we experience. ⁠
⁠
Want to learn more about yourself and develop skills to help you work more confidently and effectively across cultures? DM me the word 'CULTURAL' and let's chat about how I can help you solve your culturally-tinted challenges.⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

Where would you place yourself on this scale?🤔⁠
⁠
While you may be in the adaptation stage with one culture, when you encounter another one that you haven't known before (for example - start working with a new team in a new country, or move abroad to a new place), you may be sent back to the ethnocentric stages for a bit. ⁠
⁠
As with any model, it's an illustration of phases people experience when navigating new cultures, and it's not necessarily linear. ⁠
⁠
It's important to recognise these within us though, and naming what we experience is a useful way to move forward from frustrations or challenges we experience. ⁠
⁠
Want to learn more about yourself and develop skills to help you work more confidently and effectively across cultures? DM me the word 'CULTURAL' and let's chat about how I can help you solve your culturally-tinted challenges.⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

projectabroadblog

•

Where would you place yourself on this scale?🤔⁠ ⁠ While you may be in the adaptation stage with one culture, when you encounter another one that you haven't known before (for example - start working with a new team in a new country, or move abroad to a new place), you may be sent back to the ethnocentric stages for a bit. ⁠ ⁠ As with any model, it's an illustration of phases people experience when navigating new cultures, and it's not necessarily linear. ⁠ ⁠ It's important to recognise these within us though, and naming what we experience is a useful way to move forward from frustrations or challenges we experience. ⁠ ⁠ Want to learn more about yourself and develop skills to help you work more confidently and effectively across cultures? DM me the word 'CULTURAL' and let's chat about how I can help you solve your culturally-tinted challenges.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

1 week ago

View on Instagram |

4/9

High EQ doesn’t necessarily equal High CQ - but it can certainly be helpful when developing your cultural intelligence. Reality is - CQ picks up where EQ leaves off, and builds up on its skills.
So - there’s no escaping from recognising and understanding your own emotions first, in any case! 🤷‍♀️ Emotions are a source of information, so let’s use it to live and work across cultures more comfortably and effectively 🤩

#expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica #cqforexpats #cq

projectabroadblog

•

High EQ doesn’t necessarily equal High CQ - but it can certainly be helpful when developing your cultural intelligence. Reality is - CQ picks up where EQ leaves off, and builds up on its skills. So - there’s no escaping from recognising and understanding your own emotions first, in any case! 🤷‍♀️ Emotions are a source of information, so let’s use it to live and work across cultures more comfortably and effectively 🤩 #expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica #cqforexpats #cq

2 weeks ago

View on Instagram |

5/9

We always hear only one side of the story in the Red Riding Hood...

To practice our perspective-taking skills, let's see what happens if we tell the story from the wolf's perspective...

"Forest is my home, I've lived there for ages. I took care of it and made sure it's clean. One sunny day, as I was cleaning up the trash after visitors, I heard steps. I hid behind the tree and saw a little girl carrying a basket.

I got suspicious as she was dressed weird, in a red hood, as if she didn't want to be recognised. I came out to see who she was - I asked her name, where she's going... She told me she's heading to her grandma with some treats.

She looked like a decent person, so I warned her that it's dangerous to walk around the forest without any permit, especially dressed like this.

I let her go further, but I took a shortcut to run to her grandma's house. I talked to the grandma and explained the issue to her in detail. Nice old lady agreed that her granddaughter needs to learn a lesson. We agreed that she would hide under the bed and I dress up as her and lay in bed to scare the girl.

When she got to the house, she sat on the bed and the first thing she said (how rude!) was that my ears were big. I told her that it's to hear her better.
Then, she made a comment about my big eyes! I mean... seriously, I really started not to like her at this point given how rude she was to me. I told her that it's to see her better.
Then, she really hurt me... she commented on my teeth. I know they're not the nicest, but she really didn't need to point that out. To complete our plan, I told her that it's to eat her quicker!

Let's be honest, everyone knows that a wolf wouldn't eat a little girl... But this girl started running around and screaming frantically! Suddenly, a hunter showed up with axe! I already took off the grandma's clothes, but otherwise I would just say that I'm helpless and I need help. Without much choice, I jumped out of the window and started running as far as I could.

Worst thing is that the grandma didn't even tell the truth to anyone about our plan, and the nasty rumour that I'm bad and dangerous spread across the world so quickly..."

projectabroadblog

•

We always hear only one side of the story in the Red Riding Hood... To practice our perspective-taking skills, let's see what happens if we tell the story from the wolf's perspective... "Forest is my home, I've lived there for ages. I took care of it and made sure it's clean. One sunny day, as I was cleaning up the trash after visitors, I heard steps. I hid behind the tree and saw a little girl carrying a basket. I got suspicious as she was dressed weird, in a red hood, as if she didn't want to be recognised. I came out to see who she was - I asked her name, where she's going... She told me she's heading to her grandma with some treats. She looked like a decent person, so I warned her that it's dangerous to walk around the forest without any permit, especially dressed like this. I let her go further, but I took a shortcut to run to her grandma's house. I talked to the grandma and explained the issue to her in detail. Nice old lady agreed that her granddaughter needs to learn a lesson. We agreed that she would hide under the bed and I dress up as her and lay in bed to scare the girl. When she got to the house, she sat on the bed and the first thing she said (how rude!) was that my ears were big. I told her that it's to hear her better. Then, she made a comment about my big eyes! I mean... seriously, I really started not to like her at this point given how rude she was to me. I told her that it's to see her better. Then, she really hurt me... she commented on my teeth. I know they're not the nicest, but she really didn't need to point that out. To complete our plan, I told her that it's to eat her quicker! Let's be honest, everyone knows that a wolf wouldn't eat a little girl... But this girl started running around and screaming frantically! Suddenly, a hunter showed up with axe! I already took off the grandma's clothes, but otherwise I would just say that I'm helpless and I need help. Without much choice, I jumped out of the window and started running as far as I could. Worst thing is that the grandma didn't even tell the truth to anyone about our plan, and the nasty rumour that I'm bad and dangerous spread across the world so quickly..."

2 weeks ago

View on Instagram |

6/9

Think about what this same story could look like from a perspective of the wolf, or the grandma, or the hunter - and write it down. I would also LOVE IT if you share your version in the comments too! ❤️

I’ll share mine in the next post later this week ☺️☺️👍

#perspectivetaking #culturalskills #culturalcompetence #culturalawareness #crosscultural #interculturalcommunication #lifeskills #expatlife #expatskills #expathelp #globallife #globalcareer #internationallife #internationalcareer #workingabroad #livingabroad #movingabroad #culturaladaptation #expatcoach #zyciezagranica #miedzykulturowo #pracazagranica #adaptacjakulturowa

projectabroadblog

•

Think about what this same story could look like from a perspective of the wolf, or the grandma, or the hunter - and write it down. I would also LOVE IT if you share your version in the comments too! ❤️ I’ll share mine in the next post later this week ☺️☺️👍 #perspectivetaking #culturalskills #culturalcompetence #culturalawareness #crosscultural #interculturalcommunication #lifeskills #expatlife #expatskills #expathelp #globallife #globalcareer #internationallife #internationalcareer #workingabroad #livingabroad #movingabroad #culturaladaptation #expatcoach #zyciezagranica #miedzykulturowo #pracazagranica #adaptacjakulturowa

2 weeks ago

View on Instagram |

7/9

Although it might seem like everyone is travelling, living and working abroad these days, this actually is not true! ⁠🙈
⁠
Many people have never been abroad or haven’t yet had so many opportunities to work with people from different cultures. I once read an article that ~25% of Brits have never been abroad. And that is a country that generally has high travel rates, so imagine what this percentage might look like in other parts of the world! 🙃⁠
⁠
But - - there are increasing numbers of people doing business internationally, or providing remote services to people based abroad. It’s therefore worth putting the effort in learning about intercultural communications to be successful.

Regardless of whether you’ve lived in one place your whole life or not. There is just TOO HIGH OF A CHANCE that you will encounter cultural diversity in one way or another.⁠
⁠
👉️ Invest in increasing your self-awareness and effectiveness in working across cultures to become a better colleague and leader! 💪💪💪⁠
⁠
If you'd like to learn a bit more about what cultural competencies are, and how developing them can help you adapt to living abroad and support you in working more effectively across cultures - join me for a webinar on Wednesday 27 July at 6 pm UK time! 😍 Sign up link in bio!⁠
⁠
#expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

projectabroadblog

•

Although it might seem like everyone is travelling, living and working abroad these days, this actually is not true! ⁠🙈 ⁠ Many people have never been abroad or haven’t yet had so many opportunities to work with people from different cultures. I once read an article that ~25% of Brits have never been abroad. And that is a country that generally has high travel rates, so imagine what this percentage might look like in other parts of the world! 🙃⁠ ⁠ But - - there are increasing numbers of people doing business internationally, or providing remote services to people based abroad. It’s therefore worth putting the effort in learning about intercultural communications to be successful. Regardless of whether you’ve lived in one place your whole life or not. There is just TOO HIGH OF A CHANCE that you will encounter cultural diversity in one way or another.⁠ ⁠ 👉️ Invest in increasing your self-awareness and effectiveness in working across cultures to become a better colleague and leader! 💪💪💪⁠ ⁠ If you'd like to learn a bit more about what cultural competencies are, and how developing them can help you adapt to living abroad and support you in working more effectively across cultures - join me for a webinar on Wednesday 27 July at 6 pm UK time! 😍 Sign up link in bio!⁠ ⁠ #expatcoaching #expatlife #livingabroad #expatcoach #workingabroad #lifeabroad #workabroad #careerabroad #internationallife #internationalcareer #globalcareer #globallife #globalleaders #culturalawareness #selfawareness #selfgrowth #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #culturalcompetence #movingabroad #zyciezagranica #zycienaemigracji #pracazagranica #rozwojosobisty #polacyzagranica

3 weeks ago

View on Instagram |

8/9

projectabroadblog

•

Welcome to everyone who is new to this profile ☺️ It’s been a while since I said hello - so here’s a bit about who is behind the graphics and reels at Project Abroad! 👇👇👇 I'm a psychologist, coach and trainer. Basically – I love working with people and seeing them grow😊 By day, I work full time as People & Culture Partner in a scale-up company. In my free time, I run Project Abroad to help expats understand the cultures they're working with, how their own cultural background impacts their experience, and (most importantly) what they can do about it to make their experience more comfortable. 🤩I deeply care about you not just having 'an ok experience' abroad.  I want you to really achieve the goals you have set for yourself abroad. And feel confident in the process!   🤩I am practical and structured about approaching challenges.  People I coach often come to me with a whole lot of thoughts, doubts, challenges and feelings. Confused about what is causing them to feel like this, or what to do next. Step by step we untangle these, make sense of the experience and create a plan to move their lives forward.   🤩I see value in learning about cultural dimensions. This knowledge helps you understand where some of the frustrations may be coming from. It helps you gain more self-awareness and identify the similarities you can build on when working internationally. It's a great starting point to a conversation about adaptation to a new place as well as increasing the feeling of confidence and belonging to the new location. 🤩I believe that if you're aware of something, you can do something about it. Self-awareness for me is the first step to any transition, be it moving to another country, starting a new job or moving to the next phase of life. If you're not aware of what the underlying issue is, you can't really do much about it. But when you shine some light on it, everything seems more achievable. 🚶‍♀️In my spare time I walk a lot, every day, with a podcast in my ears. ✍️My recent lockdown hobby also includes colour pencil drawing. 🗣I started conversations in Spanish recently too and oh dear they give my brain a workout😅 Feel free to DM me to say hi!

3 weeks ago

View on Instagram |

9/9

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