We’re thrilled to bring you a special blog post featuring Kristina Saulino, a relocation expert with a passion for connecting families worldwide. We sat down with Kristina to gain valuable insights into her approach to helping clients immerse themselves in new cultures, navigating summer relocations with children, and even her thoughts on time travel! Join us as we dive into Kristina’s experiences, advice, and personal stories that shed light on the world of relocations and beyond.
Helping Clients Embrace New Cultures:
Kristina understands the importance of immersing oneself in a vibrant new culture and understands the significance of cultural immersion in ensuring a seamless transition for our clients. From encouraging employees to join expat groups to recommending language classes, she goes above and beyond to help clients find their place in a new community. She even shares a funny anecdote about her dad attempting to order cheeseburgers in Russian at McDonald’s! Kristina’s practical tips and personal experiences highlight the value of cultural immersion in creating a seamless relocation experience. We provide guidance and support to help employees embrace their new environment, making their relocation journey not only successful but also personally enriching.
Interviewer: How do you help clients immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of their new location?
Kristina: I always encourage employees to explore various expat groups or join communities based on their personal interests, such as yoga or painting. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who share similar passions and create a sense of belonging in a new place. If there’s a new language involved, I emphasize the importance of taking language classes as soon as possible. Immersing oneself in the local culture not only helps with language learning but also facilitates navigation and integration into the community.
Reflecting on my own experience as an expat, I vividly recall my father’s hilarious attempt to order cheeseburgers at a Russian McDonald’s. It taught me the significance of practicing the language whenever possible. I would watch TV shows in the local language and engage in conversations with locals, which greatly accelerated my language acquisition. As a result, I now share this valuable advice with the employees I assist in settling into a new country.
Embracing the local culture and language is an enriching experience that opens doors to deeper connections and understanding. It’s an essential part of the relocation journey, helping individuals feel more at home in their new environment. By immersing themselves in the local community and actively engaging with the language, employees can overcome communication barriers, forge meaningful relationships, and navigate their new surroundings with confidence.
The Advantages of Summer Relocations:
Summer relocations offer unique advantages, and Kristina explores them with enthusiasm. From longer daylight hours to school breaks, she explains how these factors contribute to an ideal time for relocation. Kristina also points out the reduced traffic on the roads during the summer, making transportation smoother and safer. Her insights provide valuable considerations for families planning a move during this season.
Interviewer: What are the advantages of moving during the summer season? From longer daylight hours to school breaks, share the perks that make summer an ideal time for relocation.
Kristina: The summer season offers several advantages for relocation, especially for families. One of the biggest benefits is that children are out of school, allowing for a less chaotic transition without the added pressure of academic commitments. With longer daylight hours, there’s more time to settle into the new surroundings and explore the community.
Summer also brings increased flexibility in work schedules, making it easier for employees to manage their professional responsibilities alongside the relocation process. The reduced traffic on the roads, attributed to vacations and summer breaks, creates a more relaxed and safer environment for transportation.
Guiding Tough Transitions for Families with Children:
Drawing from her own childhood experiences of moving, Kristina offers heartfelt advice for families relocating during the summer break. She emphasizes the importance of open communication with children, allowing them to say goodbye to friends and maintaining connections through technology. Kristina also shares how joining local clubs and making new friends at school can help children adjust to their new surroundings. Her empathy and personal touch shine through as she guides families towards a seamless transition.
Interviewer: What advice would you give to families with children who are relocating during the summer break? How can you help them navigate the move while ensuring a seamless transition for the kids?
Kristina: Having experienced moving as a child myself, I understand the significance of keeping kids informed and involved in the relocation process. It’s crucial to communicate with them about why the move is happening and ensure they have a clear understanding. Giving them the opportunity to say goodbye to friends and their school helps them process the transition and maintain those important connections.
In today’s connected world, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch with friends from the old location. Encourage children to utilize technology and find ways to keep those friendships alive through video calls, social media, or even pen-pal letters. Knowing that they can maintain these relationships provides a sense of comfort during the adjustment period.
When approaching the move, highlight the exciting aspects of the new place. Emphasize the fun activities, attractions, and opportunities that await them. It’s also helpful to reassure them that visits to their old location will still be possible, so they have something to look forward to.
Adapting to new environments can be challenging, but joining local clubs and getting involved in school activities can make a significant difference. Encourage your children to participate in extracurriculars that align with their interests. This allows them to meet new friends who share similar hobbies or passions, fostering a sense of belonging and facilitating their adjustment over time.
The Joy of Relocation Work:
For Kristina, working in the relocation industry is a joyous experience. She cherishes the opportunity to connect with families from all over the world, forging bonds that extend beyond the relocation process. Kristina’s commitment to treating clients like family is a testament to her genuine care and investment in their well-being.
Interviewer: What is your favorite part about working in the relocation industry?
Kristina: What I love most about working in the relocation industry is the opportunity to connect with families from all around the world. Building relationships with these families is incredibly rewarding, and by the end of the relocation process, I often feel like an extended member of their family.
Being able to support and assist families during such a significant transition is a privilege. I take pride in providing personalized care and attention to each family, understanding their unique needs, and going above and beyond to ensure their relocation is a success.
Through these connections, I have the privilege of learning about different cultures, traditions, and perspectives. It’s a constant source of inspiration and growth for me both personally and professionally. Witnessing families settle into their new homes, embrace new experiences, and thrive in their new environments is always something I love to see.
Going Above and Beyond for Clients:
Kristina shares a heartwarming story of how she went the extra mile to ensure a successful relocation for a client who had surgery and was going to be recovering during his move. Despite facing challenges like post-surgery recovery and severe allergies, she arranged a seamless journey, including wheelchair assistance and finding an apartment that met the client’s requirements. This extraordinary effort showcases Kristina’s dedication and personal investment in making a positive impact on her clients’ lives. At Odyssey Relocation, we treat our clients like family, ensuring their well-being and comfort throughout the entire relocation process. It’s not just a job for us; it’s a personal investment in making a difference.
Interviewer: Tell us about a time when you went above and beyond to ensure a successful relocation for a client.
Kristina: I’ll never forget the time when I had an employee who faced significant mobility challenges due to surgery right before his move. It was a stressful situation as he couldn’t postpone the relocation and was understandably worried about navigating everything alone. With his limited mobility and reliance on a wheelchair, I knew we needed to make sure each part of his move was executed flawlessly.
I immediately sprang into action and arranged for a wheelchair to be available right from the curbside, accompanying him throughout the entire airport journey. The airline also stepped in and provided him with an upgrade, ensuring he had a more comfortable flight experience. It was a sigh of relief to know that we also had a wheelchair waiting for him upon landing, making his airport navigation much easier.
But the challenges didn’t end there. The employee also had severe allergies and required an apartment without any carpet. Finding such accommodation in his city proved to be a difficult task. After extensive searching, we finally secured a ground-floor apartment without any carpet, meeting his specific needs.
This relocation was successful, and by the end, I truly felt like I was moving a member of my own family. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do and reinforce the importance of going above and beyond for each employee. Making a positive impact on someone’s life, especially during challenging times, is a reward.
Discovering Kristina’s Fun Side:
Beyond the relocation realm, we get a glimpse into Kristina’s fun side with some light-hearted questions. She reveals her favorite travel destination, Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada, and the most adventurous thing she’s ever done: climbing Machu Picchu as a child in Peru. Kristina’s love for exploring new cultures and baking delicious desserts shines through as she shares her favorite hobbies.
Interviewer: If you could relocate to any city in the world, where would it be and why?
Kristina: If I had the opportunity, I would pack my bags and head straight to Brisbane, Australia. This incredible city has it all – stunning beauty, a strong sense of safety, and pristine beaches just a stone’s throw away.
What truly captivates me about Brisbane is its rich Australian heritage, vibrant wildlife, and diverse culture. From the iconic koalas and kangaroos to the breathtaking natural landscapes, Australia’s unique environment never fails to leave me in awe.
But it’s not just the breathtaking scenery that makes Brisbane so appealing. The city offers a plethora of outdoor activities for all ages, making it an ideal place for kids to grow up. Whether it’s exploring the lush parks, taking a dip in the crystal-clear waters, or embarking on thrilling adventures in the surrounding nature, there’s never a dull moment in Brisbane.
Additionally, the city’s warm and welcoming atmosphere fosters a strong sense of community. The friendly locals, along with the city’s focus on education and family-friendly amenities, create an environment that promotes growth, happiness, and a high quality of life.
As someone who values a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle, I can’t think of a better place than Brisbane to call home. From the beautiful beaches to the vibrant cultural scene, this city has it all. I would jump at the chance to move to Brisbane and experience the incredible opportunities and adventures it has to offer.
When asked if she could time travel, where and who would she visit? Kristina eagerly shared her desire to travel through time, expressing her fascination with visiting the Library of Alexandria in the past. She envisioned meeting historical figures such as Jane Austen and Anne Frank, immersing herself in their world. Additionally, she eagerly mentioned her interest in witnessing the wonders of the Jurassic era, observing dinosaurs roam the land. In her imaginative time-travel adventures, Kristina also envisioned taking a voyage on the Titanic, intending to warn the crew about the impending iceberg.
Kristina Saulino’s journey through the world of relocations is nothing short of inspiring. Her commitment to helping clients immerse themselves in new cultures, her thoughtful guidance for families with children, and her dedication to going above and beyond make her a true relocation expert. Whether she’s working her magic in the industry or dreaming of adventures in far-off lands, Kristina’s passion shines through in every aspect of her work and life.
Stay tuned for more captivating stories and insights from Kristina Saulino and the team at Odyssey Relocation as we continue to guide you through the ever-evolving world of relocations.
#RelocationInsights #CulturalImmersion #SummerRelocations #GoingTheExtraMile #DreamDestinations #TimeTravelDreams
