Coronavirus has spread all over the world and the entire planet has been in and our of lockdown. Living abroad, far from “home” in these times for many expats has been extremely difficult. They worry about their loved ones’ health and safety, they worry about their own health and safety, they worry because of the uncertainty of the global situation and they worry about whether they will be able to travel back “home” when and if needed. And if they can travel they worry about travelling.

On the one hand an expat’s grief can be unbearable in times like these, and accepting the situation and finding a meaning in it can be complicated. They can face feelings of discomfort, loneliness, helplessness and fear on a daily basis. However, on the other hand expats are typically resilient and have plenty of resources and problem-solving skills developed during their migration journey. Also, technologies can help them feel closer to “home” and to develop new innovative and creative ways to contribute.

This training will present the first results of Dr Premazzi’s “Far From Home” research, sharing the personal and professional challenges of living abroad during the pandemic, and the resources that HR managers and companies can put in place to help their foreign employees (and also the local ones) to face these uncertain times.

The session was delivered to a group of 15 people from all around the world (Columbia, Italy, Malta, Poland and Russia), based all around the world (Malta. Italy, Mexico and the UK) and from various sectors. Thank you to those who attended.

This training focused on helping participants:

• become familiar with topics and issues related to expats’ mental wellbeing, the stigma around mental health and the migration experience, the emotional transnationalism, the double absence and double presence of the migrants in their country of origin and host country;
• gain insights and learn strategies on how to address and consider mental wellness before moving, in relocation plans for individuals and their families, at the workplace and by the society at large;
• being able to present and discuss resources, tools and strategies that HR managers and companies can put in place to help their foreign employees (and also the local ones) to face these uncertain times.