Managing migration: The applied psychology of international transitions
Abstract
Fact: Placing a skilled executive overseas for a three-year contract can cost as much as US$ 1 million.
Fact: A significant number of overseas sojourns fail, leading to premature repatriation.
Fact: Psychological adjustment to the new culture is the make or break of cross-cultural transitions.
Managing migration successfully is, therefore, crucial.
The paper will introduce the Mensana Model of Managing Migration.
According to the model, migration follows a five-stage psychological process, requiring management via three levels of support. The desired outcome is the development of the understanding and skills necessary to make the international sojourn a success for all involved.
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References
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About the authors:
Dr Kinga Williams MA, BSc, PhD, DipClinPsych, UKCPreg,
Clinical Psychologist, Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, Lecturer in Abnormal Psychology, with a special interest in the psychopathology of immigration and culture shock in adults and the elderly.
Rose Aghdami CPsychol, BSocSc, MSc, DipCoPsych,
Counselling Psychologist and Trainer in private practice, with a special interest in issues raised by cross-cultural transitions, cultural identity, marginality and the concept of ‘home’.
Both are co-founders of Mensana Y International (Est. 1999), a clinical practice and intercultural consultancy, specialising in the applied psychology of international transitions.
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Copyright (c) 2005 Kinga Williams, Rose Aghdami
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