Of course! An international company thrives on people with international experience. That’s why TUI invites its employees to spend time abroad during their professional development. Those who are adventurous enough to switch perspective are not the only ones to benefit. They foster understanding in their new teams for international mindsets and different working environments. This is the prelude to more global mobility at TUI. Anyone who chooses this path gets personal support. With finding a home, for example, or removals, or choosing a school for the children.
These snapshots introduce you to three TUI employees who turned their world on its head by shifting their home and work base to a foreign country.
»I had close contacts up front with my new colleagues. That soothed my nerves and sweetened the anticipation. I think I can make myself really useful here.«
»I had close contacts up front with my new colleagues. That soothed my nerves and sweetened the anticipation. I think I can make myself really useful here.«
In three bullet points, how does it feel the first few days after moving?
I am excited, highly motivated and very curious about what awaits me. The move was totally hassle-free for me. Anyone who knows Paris will realise what a nightmare it would have been to face the housing market on my own. But TUI took all that part off my shoulders. I just had to pick a flat out of the repertoire and then all I did was check in. The close contact with my French colleagues up front soothed my nerves and sweetened the anticipation. I think I can make myself really useful here. As the interface between Group functions and TUI France, I can contribute specialist knowledge and shorten some processes.
How well do you know your host country?
My first school exchange took me to France, and while I was studying I spent some time in Paris while attending a language school. A lot is already familiar to me.
I associate France with its friendly people and the traditions in art and culture. And when you think of France, of course you think of its excellent cuisine. I am particularly looking forward to those wonderful, colourful macaroons. And I will seize this opportunity to visit Versailles. That is on my bucket list.
Have you placed any hopes or aspirations in this move?
The chance to get to know TUI from a French perspective is a double stroke of luck: I was really keen to develop professionally and to broaden my horizons. It’s completely new for me to be part of a working environment I don’t know. At the same time, I love France, and especially Paris – and I had been contemplating for a long time brushing up my rusty French. It was an easy one to answer.
What is your recipe for avoiding homesickness?
These days there is amazing technology to deal with that. I am sure I’ll stay in close touch with my family, friends and German colleagues thanks to my smart phone.
TUI Group Manager Audit – Content & Central Functions
We all feel a special affinity for particular countries and languages. For Gamze Kaba it’s France and French. What could be nicer than to immerse yourself in the culture of the country and its everyday life? What Gamze Kaba is looking forward to most in her host country, apart from a new professional environment, is the sheer enjoyment factor. In September she took up her role in Paris as TUI GROUP Manager Audit – Content & Central Functions.
Head of Balearics – TUI Destination Services
André Illmer says he must have travelling in his blood, and admits that he regularly feels the pull of a new country and a change of base. Born in Germany and raised in Hungary, he has already had several postings abroad. Before bringing his family to the holiday island of Majorca as Head of Balearics at TUI Destination Services, he worked in Switzerland for five years. To find happiness in such different places, flexibility must be your main companion: the ability to adapt to local conditions, to accept that things aren’t done in familiar ways. And the knowledge that new, versatile experience is always enriching.
»Becoming Head of Balearics at TUI Destination Services sounded like an interesting and demanding challenge – and that is how it turned out: I have grown a lot, not only in my new leadership role.«
Mr Illmer, how do you feel right now about your temporary home in Palma de Mallorca?
For me to feel right, I just need to know my family are happy. We were given the opportunity to test that together on a few advance trips. It gave us an idea about where we would be living and the chance to find a new home. Besides, my local colleagues made us feel very welcome, and helped us with things like official papers. I am still very grateful to them for that. One thing that keeps us in good spirits is obviously that even in spring and autumn, after work you feel like you are on holiday.
You mention the holiday feeling. What kind of things can you only do in Majorca?
We have a young daughter who is only a few months old, and she was born on the island. On Majorca we can walk the pram to the sea in perfect weather. That is pretty special. And jogging takes on a new quality with the sea as a backdrop.
Do you have any hopes or aspirations for this stage in your career?
Living abroad is second nature to me. The position as Head of Balearics in a newly founded company (TUI Destination Services) sounded like a very interesting and demanding challenge – and that is how it turned out: I have learned a lot. My management role has become far more international and has grown enormously. The TUI Group is developing very fast, expanding into new areas of operation. I am sure my current role is the best possible preparation for future opportunities.
Your team is naturally very international. How do you all communicate?
In the last 3 years we’ve been able to foster a culture that respects our international make-up with all our differences and facilitates pleasant, constructive and efficient team work. A little example: theoretically our office language is English. But in practice we speak whatever suits – German, English, Spanish, often mixing them in a sentence or throwing in a few words of Mallorquín. Sometimes it’s actually easier to express yourself in another language. None of that is a problem. There’s always someone on the team who can help translate.
Do you have any insider tips for a visit to Palma?
It’s worth leaving the well-beaten tourist track. Sometimes you only need to turn a corner to find yourself in the authentic Majorcan part of Palma, which is just asking to be discovered. Especially the little restaurants with their local specialities.
»Becoming Head of Balearics at TUI Destination Services sounded like an interesting and demanding challenge – and that is how it turned out: I have grown a lot, not only in my new leadership role.«
»It’s the seemingly trivial things, like how to construct an e-mail, that make me feel very British. We tend to use more small talk. Those little differences tell me a lot about a country’s communication culture.«
»It’s the seemingly trivial things, like how to construct an e-mail, that make me feel very British. We tend to use more small talk. Those little differences tell me a lot about a country’s communication culture.«
On a scale of 1-10, to what extent do you feel you’ve arrived in Sweden?
I’d give it 7-7.5. That’s because I’ve been living in Stockholm properly since April. But the Swedes and my colleagues at work made me very welcome from the start. There’s a tradition here called fika: people take the time to get to know their workmates over coffee and cake. This creates a friendly working atmosphere right away. I will just have a problem learning fluent Swedish, because everyone here speaks excellent English, so I hardly ever get the chance to practise my Swedish.
Why did you decide to take this step? Do you have any hopes or wishes that you may associate with this career step?
Because the world is a big place, and it’s full of opportunities, as businesses become more and more global, it is a real advantage to have experience working with different cultures, as well as different environments. It is also an exciting way to learn about different nationalities, whilst progressing with your career.
Do you have an example/situation in mind of how your Swedish colleagues benefit from having an international team mate with you?
When we have been discussing new ideas or new strategies, I have been able to bring an ‘outsider’s’ insights into it and give advice on how the message could be perceived or understood. I have also been able to provide suggestions of best practices that I have seen work in other countries beforehand when brainstorming for new ideas.
What do you miss about home, and what will you take with you from Sweden when you eventually leave?
I visit England quite often, so I don’t miss too much. Except perhaps having a Sunday roast with my family, which is a traditional British Sunday lunch. It would be nice to have that occasionally.
As to what I will take with me – probably some of the things I see as essential to everyday culture in Sweden. That includes being very open to feedback. Swedes really appreciate receiving and offering comments about what they do. And the way the Swedes quickly get to the point in their work. That directness is very productive and makes for very pleasant team spirit.
And on a personal level, I’m sure I’ll be trying to copy how Swedish people can see a silver lining in any situation. They’re optimistic people and take advantage of every opportunity such as going ice skating on the frozen rivers in winter or going kayaking out in the archipelago during summer.
Consumer Research Project Manager – TUI Nordic
To get to know the Swedes, you need to go outside. The summers are short, and a lot of life’s activities take place in the open air. Stephanie Darvill loves running, so she shares this passion for exercise and respects the ability Swedes have to make the best of everything that happens. Like short summers. Since April 2017 the native Brit has been working in Stockholm as a Consumer Research Project Manager for TUI Nordic.
