As multinational companies expand globally, they are relying more on sending managers from their home country to work in a foreign country. Such a strategy, often guided by human resources and talent acquisition practices, aims to fill roles that require specialized expertise and to facilitate the transfer of the organization’s cultural values. However, this phase of a manager’s career progression presents a unique challenge: balancing the need to accomplish the assignment with the personal difficulties of adapting to a new culture and lifestyle. This case study explores the often-overlooked hardships faced by expatriates with families, focusing on the struggle of adjusting to life in a foreign country. Our example is John, an expatriate sent by his hotel company from Europe to Asia, who encountered numerous challenges as a father, husband, and professional navigating his assignment.
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