Expatriates' Training: Cultural Awareness, Adjustments , and Visits

Training
08/31/2021
Background
Expatriates move to another country, and it is expensive to replace the expatriates, and one form of support is pre-departure training. The Unifying Company has its own corporate culture, but countries have different cultures, norms, and values that influence business practices and expectations. Pre-departure training for expatriates focuses on knowing more about what to expect when abroad, where they anticipate, and plan for what they may expect, including cultural adjustment. 
Training needs
As part of pre-departure training, there is an emphasis on cultural awareness, cultural adjustment, assistance, training, and preliminary visits. Knowledge and information on local conditions are essential to know what to expect when living and working abroad. The expatriate employees would be in training with other employees where there is advice to firms and the expatriates (Almazrouei et al., 2018). Cross-cultural training helps to prepare the expatriates to improve their cultural awareness and promote effective interpersonal relations. The cross-cultural program includes information on the host community, values, practices, norms, and assumptions. The failure to assess cultural differences makes it more challenging for expatriates to settle in the new environment. 
Communication techniques and language training are part of cross-cultural training, and communication is an essential component of pre-departure training. People communicate differently verbally, and there may be a misinterpretation of non-verbal cues if the expatriate does not know their interpretation. In addition, there is more accessible access to information when there are open communication and good language skills.
Project alignment meetings are also helpful as there will be a focus on facilitating expatriates’ adjustment to the new environment and information on expectations. Arranging meetings with staff members makes it easier to adjust. Meetings are linked with job training, which will make it easier for the experts to utilize their knowledge and skills in the new settings. Feedback from fellow expatriates, trainers, and employees helps promote engagement with various stakeholders and ease the expatriate process. The meetings should also address ongoing support to facilitate integration in the new cultural environments.
Areas of emphasis and training
 One of the essential areas is cultural imperative and exclusives that determine what custom, cultural norms, and behaviors to participate in and not participate in. Knowing more about the culture helps address cultural shock and emphasizes cultural awareness to improve familiarity with the new culture (Almazrouei et al., 2018). Moreover, there is an improved ability to relate with others socially when understanding cultural differences.
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