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"REINVENTION IS A LOT ABOUT LOOKING INTO YOURSELF AND THINKING, WHAT CAN I DO FOR ME? AND MAKE SURE YOU FEEL COMPLETE BEFORE MAKING ANYONE ELSE FEEL THE SAME." land. She was thrown in the deep end of learning the intricacies of her mother tongue, while studying Cultural Studies, in Polish, at the university level. “I had to get a Polish-to-Polish dictionary, to be able to get through the language hurdle.” Ever open-minded and adaptable to change, she was able to navigate the challenges of being a re-pat and achieve success both in her professional and social life.
in her way, but she gave the job prospect a chance, got hired, and stayed on for two years. It turned out her profile as a native English speaker fit into what the employer was looking for, the rest she could learn on the job. Once she realised that she couldn’t change the reality of transitioning into Denmark, she adjusted her mindset, and more opportunities surfaced.
MINDSHIFT: EXPECTATION VS. REALITY
LIVING ABROAD IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REINVENTION
Hearing Kathy’s story, I can’t help but think that reinvention is in her DNA. In 2008, while she was thriving in Poland, she met her Danish husband, and once again, life had other plans. She packed up her life in boxes and set off to Denmark, on another adventure. “When I came to Denmark, I decided to study again because I was burnt out. I was working 60 hours a week in Poland. I needed to recharge and focus. So, I did a master’s degree in American Studies, in Odense at the University of Southern Denmark, while studying Danish in the evening.” Her experience while studying in Denmark was a major cultural shift from the more traditional education system in Poland, where the hierarchy between students and teachers is higher. Moving to a new country has its flaws, many of which can shake up your identity. Like many foreigners moving to Denmark, Kathy had to contend with the massive challenge of redefining herself. The urgency of looking for a job soon turned into anger, frustration and confusion when she could not find anything that aligned with her ambitions. “It was me limiting myself. I know that now because I was not looking (for work) outside the box.” After a year of applying for various jobs, neither getting interviews nor rejection letters, Kathy decided to change tactic. This shift in attitude led to a cascade of motivation that saw her network more, identify her strengths and open herself up to new possibilities. “I applied for a job in Esbjerg as a marketing specialist, which had nothing to do with my experience or anything I ever studied.” See, Kathy acknowledges it would have been tempting to stand
Is reinvention a myth, cliché, or a fact of life? Kathy offers an insightful perspective to this question. “Reinvention is a lot about looking into yourself and thinking, what can I do for me? And make sure you feel complete before making anyone else feel the same. You can also look at reinvention as a reawakening to (ask yourself) what skills, talents have I gained in my (life) journey that I can use for me?” The clarity you will gain from believing in yourself will allow you to maximise on your skillset and improve your wellbeing in your new host country. Kathy’s conviction lies in viewing reinvention as a survival skill, which is handy in many facets of life, including career and personal development. The concept of reinventing oneself is about looking at the glass half full rather than half empty. It is about keeping an open mind and an optimistic attitude while settling abroad. Believing that you are in control of your future, even when faced with what may seem like insurmountable challenges. “We often connect our identity with work. However, sometimes life gives us the chance to take the time do something we’ve always wanted to do (perhaps an unpursued passion). Life should not always be about chasing a job. Maybe (the period of uncertainty when you move abroad) is a huge signal for you to focus on something else. It important to see ourselves for who we are, what talents we have, what we can do with those talents, and what can make us happy.” She says.
SEPTEMBER 2019 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM
TAKE ACTIVE ACTION These days, rewriting her life script is not an unfamiliar concept