Caroline - Expat Coach

Caroline - Expat Coach I help Expats plan their retirement, so it's something to look forward to, rather than fear. What will you do? What about family? What does 'home' mean?

Life as an Expat, and particularly one in hospitality, travel & tourism is an amazing experience, but comes with its own set of challenges that grow the longer you live and work overseas. Your situation is unique, and cannot be understood by anyone who has not been in your shoes, so who do you talk to when you need to make sense of what you are going through or what you will be facing in the future? Indecision, or fear of making changes is exactly what holds you back from creating the future you desire, rather than waiting to see what happens! Where to live after your expat life comes to an end is one of the challenges! What about the kids (let's not forget how many turn into boomerang kids over the years!!) ? Are you planning to go 'home' for your benefit, or because it is expected of you? Or are you thinking of living in a 3rd country - and are you really aware of all the challenges you may face with that decision, when you no longer have a company behind you taking care of the legalities of residing in a country that is not your own? Do your loved ones all agree with your choices and plans? have you really talked it through with them? If you don't know what you want to do yourself, then how can you you talk to them, or effectively plan for the future? We have all experienced the sort of change that leaves you feeling a little lost, out of your depth, or not quite knowing what to do with yourself. We often push it to the back of our minds to think about 'when we have more time'. But that time flies by. There is not a moment to waste of your precious 'retirement' in making costly mistakes when choosing where to live! Or maybe it's your partner who wants to have a plan, and keeps pecking away at 'making a decision' about moving home, or not. Maybe I should be talking to them? If any of the above resonates with you, then let's talk about how I can help you to plan the future, decide where you want to be, and what you want to do with your retirement, in a way that works for you. Wouldn't it be amazing to have something that you are looking forward to, rather than dreading? And even better if your partner and the whole family are also in agreement? Book a complimentary 30-minute via my calendar to find out if working together to help you plan your future is right for you https://go.oncehub.com/CarolineTapken

13/01/2026

Retirement for expats requires a whole different set of considerations.....

Letting go of a job you have enjoyed, and a lifestyle that you loved, is a process.'Moving on' does not happen overnight...
13/01/2026

Letting go of a job you have enjoyed, and a lifestyle that you loved, is a process.

'Moving on' does not happen overnight. Indeed, the loss can sneak up and give you a jolt years down the line.

If I'm really honest, I still get a twinge of jealousy when I see people celebrating their new marketing communications roles in the hospitality, travel & tourism industry. I loved my work in that world - and I loved the expat lifestyle too.

BUT, and it is a huge BUT - I have a life I love now too. It has taken me a while to adjust to life back in the UK, but I have been able to create activities, a working life, connections and a lifestyle that suits me here.

That's what change is all about. We are allowed to miss the 'old life', but as long as we are focused on creating a new life to enjoy, we will be fine.

Sometimes, however, letting go of one life can leave you feeling lost, in limbo, and unsure of what to do next. That's where I can help - help you to explore options and opportunities, so you too can create a new life that you love.

Ready to take on 2026, and get started? Message me. let's talk.

12/01/2026
There are two kinds of people who work with me – those who are approaching retirement and trying to ignore it, and those...
11/01/2026

There are two kinds of people who work with me – those who are approaching retirement and trying to ignore it, and those who have recently retired and are finding themselves bored and without any structure.

Retiring from an all-consuming career is a frightening prospect. It all seemed so far away for so long, and suddenly it is staring you in the face! Changing gears from a structured life where people looked to you for leadership and guidance to one where you don’t even have to set an alarm, and don’t need a scheduler to manage your life, does not happen overnight.

For these kinds of people, it is not about the money. The fear lies around no longer knowing who you are without the title and daily structure, what will continue to bring you joy and purpose throughout the coming decades, and how you are going to cope with so much time on your hands without losing your mind!

Whether you intend staying in the country you currently live and work in, exploring new locations or moving back to your country of origin, your life ‘post work’ needs a plan, particularly in the early stages.

I know you don’t have time to think about these things and really don’t know who you can talk to about it. You can’t talk to anyone at work, for fear they will think you have ‘checked out’ already!

You can’t talk to your spouse or your friends, because they seem to have it all worked out – and that’s not the life you really want!

In 3 x 1-hour sessions (Currently £395) I have helped people just like you begin to formulate ideas and a plan around what they want to do with the rest of their life. We don’t come up with full solutions in just 3 hours – that takes a little longer – BUT you will come away with a different perspective, some ideas to work with and a lightness of spirit, knowing that your life in retirement does not look quite so bleak.

If you want to continue hashing out a more detailed plan and exploring ideas, we continue working together after the initial 3 sessions.

How does that sound? Like something that will bring you a little more peace of mind as we work through 2026?

My name is Caroline, and based on personal experience, multiple conversations and extensive research and training, I work with expats to help them plan a retirement they can look forward to.

Message me, and let’s kick-start this with a 30-minute conversation (no fee & no obligation) to see where you are at, and how working with me could change your complete outlook on retirement.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟎 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝: 👀 What if I go home and hate it? 👀 What if I stay and miss out on time...
10/01/2026

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟎 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝:

👀 What if I go home and hate it?

👀 What if I stay and miss out on time spent with aging parents?

👀 What if I can’t afford my future here, and stay too long, burning through savings?

👀 What if I’ve built a life I can’t maintain in retirement?

👀 What if I’m too old to start over… in either place?

👀 What if I become a nobody when I stop working?

👀 What if I waste my best years just living day to day?

👀 What if my friends all live 'somewhere else'?

👀 What if I regret staying… or regret going?

👀 What if time runs out before I figure it out?

👉 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖?

If you don't want to share 'out loud', feel free to message me and let's work out what is really bothering you, before it is too late!

What would 85 year old you wish you had done more of at this stage of your life?Would the answer be 'Work more hours', o...
09/01/2026

What would 85 year old you wish you had done more of at this stage of your life?

Would the answer be 'Work more hours', or something else?

Is it time to rethink your plans for the coming year, and the decade ahead?

I work with expats to help them plan their years ahead, so they live they way they want to, rather than simply allowing others to dictate their direction.

Let's make 2026 the year of change.... starting with a no obligation 30-minute call with me, to see how my support can help you clarify what you want and how to get there quickly.

A very chilly -4, but a bright sunny day for a stoll around a frozen lake with good friends - and Bella, of course!
04/01/2026

A very chilly -4, but a bright sunny day for a stoll around a frozen lake with good friends - and Bella, of course!

If it has to be so cold, there should at least be snow!Need extra layers for the dog plod - she barely manages a trot th...
02/01/2026

If it has to be so cold, there should at least be snow!

Need extra layers for the dog plod - she barely manages a trot these days, and has to sniff every blade of grass = I am freezing 😄💔

01/01/2026

Where do you want to be this time next year?

Instead of New Years Resolutions that you will never stick to, think about where you want to be this time next year, and work backwards to come up with an action plan to achieve it.

What do you need to do this week, to get the ball rolling?

As 2025 ends, this photo represents some of the elements that have shaped who I am today.A vase from Thailand, camels fr...
31/12/2025

As 2025 ends, this photo represents some of the elements that have shaped who I am today.

A vase from Thailand, camels from Dubai, Dad - and out of sight a photo from my Caribbean cruise at the beginning of the year, representing time lived in that area too.

Happy memories, to carry with me. I choose to discard the less happy ones.

In 2026, I will be creating some brand new memories. Bring it on!

Happy New Year!

30/12/2025

Are you rethinking your future life choices, and wondering whether you really want to move 'home' when your expat life comes to an end?

You do have choices, but it requires planning - well ahead of time.

How about aome help deciding what you really want to do with the rest of your life, and where you want to spend it?

Message me. Let's talk about that.

29/12/2025

Now is a great time to reflect on what's gone well for you in 2025, what's not been so great, and what you want to do differently in 2026.

Address

Slough

Website

https://linktr.ee/carolineexdubai, http://www.carolinetapken.com/, https://caroli

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