Monica Reppas-Schmid is not one to perpetuate stereotypes - in fact, she works hard to dismantle them. There is one generalisation she stands by, but only to be utilised to enhance the lives of expat women living in Swizerland. She believes that how women work is decidedly different than men. Women are partial to sharing - natural networkers, and they need interpersonal contact to thrive.

On this basis, she has created a workshop geared toward helping expat women focus on matters that are going to improve the quality of their life. "What do I do now that I'm in Switzerland?" is the name of her workshop and its aim is to turn the challenge of overseas living into a period of opportunity - a chance to discover or rediscover dreams and goals that have been offset by living an international lifestyle.

She agrees that it's a double whammy - having children and moving abroad.  Personal ambitions can be put on hold while the kids are young. Reppas -Schmid is trying to ensure that living abroad isn't necessarily going to compound the problem.

"Women more and more these days are searching for a balance". There is a trend to balance both work and children and if they don't have something for themselves they start to fall apart and not have the energy for the kids. Additionally, you lose a lot of energy in cultural adjustment and change."

This Swiss intercultural coach had an early introduction to international living. Born in Bolivia to a Swiss father, and a German mother, her family moved to Peru when she was three and then to Switzerland when she was eleven. She credits her diverse personal and academic background when questioned about her interest in intercultural training. Her studies seemed a natural progression of the influences of  a global upbringing. (She holds a masters degree from the U.S. in intercultural relations) 

When Patricia Massy, a mother with a burning desire to write, moved to Switzerland, she used the opportunity to follow her dream. This isn't denying the fact that it took her a full year to get her family settled. She faced most of the same obstacles and cultural adjustments as every new expat but once she found her footing, she put pen to paper. After dropping her kids off at school, she would do any "emergency shopping" that needed to be done and then step into her own world of creative expression.

She had a book written before entering Reppas-Schmid's workshop but didn't have the energy and confidence after the move to send it to a publisher. She now has a children's book out to a publisher for consideration and  has ambitions for others now underway. The group helped her to get organised with a schedule and workspace to keep up with her goals. It also allowed her to keep her motivation strong by bouncing ideas for future pieces of work,off other group members. An integral aspect of these workshops is that the women continue to meet even after the workshop has been completed. With the tools learned, they continue to support and encourage one another in what fast becomes a close-knit group of friends.

Of course, not everyone knows what they want to do with their life, their needs may be a bit more vague or undergoing change and Reppas-Schmid may delve into such things as what someone liked to do as a child and extrapolate on their ideas to create practical goals. Her approach is a transformed version of Barbara Sher's book "Wishcraft" which ultimately helps people to focus on what they want out of  life. Within the group dynamic of her workshop, they walk away with powerful tools to make real changes in their lives.

Another team member, Laura Heselton recounts her experience, "I went to my first workshop with the hope of meeting other like-minded individuals who wanted to re- evaluate what they were doing for a living, or rather what they were doing about living .  I wanted to go beyond the transient lifestyle issues, the displaced person hang-ups and all the other difficulties associated with being a foreigner. I wanted to hear about endless possibilities where there were no constraints and to be surrounded by supportive people helping each other to see that anything is possible."

For those who may have already taken something like the "Living in Zurich" Workshop at the American Women's Club, are starting to get their footing but don't quite feel the time is right for this workshop, Reppas-Schmid offers help on another level. Her  "Living Cultures" workshop helps individuals or groups understand cultural differences as well as their own approach to the "newness" of a foreign country. If anyone is interested in finding out which workshop fits them the best, they can call Reppas-Schmid at "Living Cultures" for a free informal telephone consultation.