Cultural Training and Support for International Assignees

Background

As the Preferred Supplier for this multinational energy company’s international mobility programme, we have prepared over 75 international assignees and their accompanying spouses for relocation to France, Germany, China and the United States. The company places high importance on equipping its globally mobile employees with the cultural knowledge and language skills required for a successful transition.

The Challenge

With operations spanning various international markets, our client required an advanced cultural training programme tailored to working with Saudi Arabia. Rather than an introductory course, participants needed a deeper understanding of local business practices, cultural norms and effective communication strategies to navigate complex interactions successfully.

Our Solution

Babel has created a three-stage training programme, designed to build intercultural competence, boost personal resilience and provide tailored support throughout the relocation journey. Delivered flexibly online to accommodate individual schedules, the programme is structured as follows:

Stage 1: The International Profiler (TIP)

Each participant completes a psychometric self-assessment to identify their intercultural strengths and development areas. This is followed by a one-to-one coaching session with a licensed trainer, resulting in a personalised development plan for adapting successfully to the target culture.

Stage 2: Pre-Departure Cultural Briefing

Delivered across three 2-hour live online sessions, this module provides practical insights into daily life, work culture and social norms in the destination country. Sessions are highly personalised, with additional focus given to accompanying spouses and family members to ensure a smooth transition for the whole household.

Topics included:

- Housing, healthcare, schooling and utilities
- Adjusting to cultural differences and managing culture shock
- Business etiquette, team dynamics and effective communication
- Partner opportunities such as work, volunteering and local integration

Stage 3: In-Country Culture Coaching

After relocation, each participant attends a follow-up culture coaching session to address real-life challenges. Participants submit a learning journal in advance, capturing 3–4 intercultural scenarios they have encountered. This allows our trainers to provide targeted guidance, reinforcing cultural learning in context.

Programme Highlights

- Practical relocation guidance tailored to each host country
- In-depth modules on intercultural communication and team working
- Focus on both personal and professional success abroad
- Partner support included throughout the training
- 40 hours of language training for workplace fluency

The Results

Assignees who have gone through our programme report feeling significantly more prepared, confident and informed ahead of their moves. Participants highlight the value of the cultural insights, tailored coaching and the safe space to explore concerns, and many note a smoother integration into both the workplace and wider community. The inclusion of spouses in the training process has been particularly well received and contributes to overall family wellbeing during the transition.

The ongoing support post-arrival enables participants to address unexpected challenges and adapt more effectively, and the language training further boosts communication skills and confidence in professional settings.

As our client’s trusted training provider, we continue to support their international mobility programme, helping teams thrive across borders with cultural competence and communication skills that make a measurable impact.