I moved from Bucharest, Romania to Vancouver, Canada in 2013 to live with my husband George. Moving is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. And so were the 4 years to follow my move.

I had studied and lived in foreign countries, such as Germany, had traveled the world, speak 5 languages, have a Masters Degree in Corporate Development and solid business analysis experience in industries such as oil & gas. On top of this, a lot of volunteering experience, an outgoing personality and self-confidence. These are good premises for a successful move & integration, right?

Well, reality showed me differently... the hard way. I underestimated every aspect of the move, from the less significant ones, like the humor, food, language, traditions, even weather, to the more important ones, like being far away from family and friends (for 'the spoiled princess' within me), starting everything from scratch (from the social and professional status I had back home) or to understand and befriend a new culture (that I partially didn't like). 

I had to kill my old identity and create a new one: such a tough lesson to learn! 

I actively looked for ways to remove my challenges. I searched for concrete strategies in books, blogs and studies, talked to therapists, as well as people who moved abroad, of different backgrounds, ages and family contexts... to get my answer: What makes an international move easier and turns it into a success? And I did get my answers.

Through my searches and newly discovered strategies, I was able to:

• Have a beautiful house in Vancouver
• Obtain a great job as project manager in healthcare, aligned with my values and a boss I call my mentor and good friend
• Get a Business Analyst Certification (CABA) from a renowned University
• Create a large circle of wonderful people, whom I call friends, while strengthening the relationships back in my home country
• Improve my health, increase my productivity and optimize my life
• Become a yoga teacher, as well as a Tony Robbins & Cloe Madanes certified coach
• Become part of an amazing group of growth-oriented people, the Vancouver Entrepreneurs Toastmaster’s Club
• Travel the world, and recently…
• Combine the best out of both worlds: Canada and my home country, by eventually creating a business that is independent of the physical space where I am in, so I have the flexibility to travel back and forth as much as my heart needs to

My point here is, that all of this and more is accessible to you, in much less time than it took me and with a lot more ease and joy, no matter where you decide to move to. I wish I hadn’t learned this the hard way, but that was the path that I have unconsciously chosen for myself.

You only live once, so live with grace, have fun and make it worth it. Enjoy every minute of it and allow life to teach you how to become the best version of yourself.

Give me a call. I'll answer any of your questions, may it be regarding concrete move logistics, a family concern or an emotional challenge. I can't wait to meet you.