"Are you going to relocate and wonder where to put your energy and how to assess your priorities? Look no further, this book is great. Most of my clients and their families move often. While the professional dimension is easily on the forefront, the personal dimension is equally crucial to thrive in the new workplace. As an executive coach, my main focus is on leadership and I can't adequately cover this important topic. I now recommend Katia Vlachos approach to all my coachees who are about to relocate. At last a book which provides both very useful details and bigger picture reflections on what we need to feel at 'home'. I also live abroad and many of the remarks and questions ring true and valuable...I wish I had read it before my very first move. The web site complements the book with more, downloadable practical resources."

Francesca Giulia Mereu

“A Great Move made such a big impression on me. I could learn could learn a lot from this book when I came to the U.S. to work as a first-time expat. It’s my bible! So I can recommend it with confidence to every expat who lives in a challenging environment to develop their careers.”

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"Loved so much that we came back and bought a book for everyone in our company."

Kathleen

"This is such a great resource to prepare an assignment abroad. The author shares so many great insights, exercises, tips and check lists that are so helpful to plan the before, during and after a move, as well as all aspects to prepare well a move practically and emotionally. This book is useful whether it is a first time move or not. This is particularly helpful if you move as a family (as it includes the assignee, the spouse and the kids perspective), but there is also a whole section for single expats. I love that the author thought about that too. This is a much needed resource of expats!"

Amel

"After moving internationally six times for work, I thought that I’d had the concept sorted. Turns out that i had only scratched the surface, as this book dives deep into the subject of moving internationally. The book makes smart use of examples, checklists and issues to consider when planning, making and in the months following a move. The author not only looks at moving from a physical perspective, but the important emotional and mental perspectives, as well. Paying attention to all three is critical to making a successful transition for all who are moving. Perhaps, most importantly, the author has taken care to explore sensitive emotional topics that can accompany an international move (well, any move): loneliness, social isolation, disconnection and the importance of knowing what ‘home’ means to everyone in the moving party. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone moving internationally - be they a diplomat or expat."

Phil McAuliffe, The Lonely Diplomat

"In a very thoughtful and delicate way, Katia leads us through the different challenges and advantages that life as an Expat can bring. As a reader, you can feel her personal touch along her ability to learn from others and share it with the readers. Katia summarized the voices of many, and by doing it she shares the collective knowledge of many experience researchers and expats. After reading the book, things will fall into place, and you'll be in a better position to make your global nomadic life a great one."

Daniela Tomer

"I’ve just finished reading A Great Move and, having made two international moves, I wish this book had been available when we first moved. Katia covers all aspects of moving abroad and details the process from start to finish. Not only are logistics discussed but also social needs, including partners and children. As I was reading I spotted some of the mistakes we made and thought the advice given to avoid them was perfect. The stories dotted through the book give personal insights into the moving process and makes it more ‘human’. She also uses examples from her own family’s expat experiences. I would recommend this book to anyone contemplating an international move"

L. Crouch

"Excellent tool that I have used to guide families with latino background in their transition process to move abroad. Katia has created the perfect 'map' to plan and lead a successful expat life."

Flor García

"This book is written for everyone who is thinking or planning to move to another country, either because they or their partner is after a career opportunity. The book highlights both the practical and psychological impact of such moves to one's life and to their families. Everyone who has experienced an expat move will definitely relate with most of the topics, and will also have at least one moment of 'I wish I had read this book back then'. For those who will embark on their first move, this book is a must read.The first half of the book helps the reader makes a 360˚ review of the psychological impact that a potential move may have. The second half of the book reviews and advises on the practical aspects that one needs to consider once the decision for the move has been taken (eg how to help the kids feel at home in a new country, or what you need to consider if you are single). The author has adopted a personal, straight-forward and practical writing style, and shares real-life examples that make the book feel less of a guide."

Franco8188

"I wish I had this book when I made my first move 10 years ago - the stress (logistical and emotional), confusion and ambiguity (of how to have a comfortable 'landing') would've definitely been better managed. I see Katia has brought her experiences as an expatriate (in her different roles as as a mom, a career woman, a coach) here. So it isn't theoretical, but practical and empathetic advise that individuals and companies can richly benefit from. Thank you, Katia. This book is a true gift!"

MMR

"Eye-opening and extremely well thought through, down to the last detail. I wish I had read this book before my first move. Everything would have been so much easier and smoother!!! I recommend it strongly to all of us who experience an expat life. For those about to make their first move abroad, this book is all they need to read and to follow, step by step, in order to make their move a “great move”., I am looking forward to reading the next expat life book by Katia Vlachos"

Christoph Vavrik

"As an expat of over 25 years, 12 moves over 4 continents and with a day job as intercultural facilitator and coach who has studied cultural differences and expatriation intensively at university and through her professional life from a theoretical point of view, I approached this book as any book on expatriation with a great portion of scepticism. As a colleague and friend of Katia, having had many inspiring conversations on the practical and on the more philosophical aspects of moving, I allowed myself a great deal of positive excitement and curiosity. Now that I have finished reading it, I am relieved.

Finally, a book that addresses an expat assignment not just from the necessary hands-on aspects with a series of to-do lists, but starts from the even more critical strategic considerations that Katia calls “principles”, which often get obscured by practicalities. She guides the reader through a series of significant considerations around the concept of what “home” means to us, how we deal with transitions, assessing our adaptability, respecting our partner as equally important and making sure we cover all aspects relevant for our children. The lack of a deeper understanding of the impact of these principles on our lives abroad usually comes back to haunt us expats during or after our assignment, as I see again and again in coaching sessions with my expat clients. Having a clearer understanding of these concepts, allows us to co-construct our expat assignment with clarity and intention making the most of it for us and our loved ones.

Katia adds examples to bring her guiding principles to life, provides diagnostic tools and checklists for extra support. Her carefully structured process covers every aspect of a transition I can think of and is valuable even for a seasoned expat like myself.

Her writing style and her stories make this book more fun to read than a standard “how to” book. It is definitely a book that I will continue to consult as it keeps adding insights to my life as an expat, which is constantly evolving, and this book is the perfect companion for it. Thank you, Katia, you not only for convincing the sceptic expat and coach but also for covering the principles before moving onto practicalities."

E. G. Pircher