Case Study | Partner Buddy Program

Two members of the NetExpat Community find lasting friendship and a new sense of purpose through the Buddy Program, created specifically to connect relocating partners and spouses in the same location.

Background

Maria, a budding entrepreneur and expat partner, moved from Buenos Aires to Paris with her family. This was Maria’s first expat experience, which heightened the inevitable feelings of isolation brought on by an international relocation during a pandemic.

Laura (also an expat partner receiving NetExpat partner support services) left her home shores and moved to Paris, France. This was Laura’s first experience of living outside of her native Colombia, and she was both excited and nervous at the prospect of life on assignment.

Impact on the Individual

Maria joined the NetExpat Community Buddy Program and was quickly connected with a Spanish-speaking entrepreneur in Paris. This connection with an experienced expat partner — combined with NetExpat’s partner support services — helped Maria to adjust and eventually thrive during her early days in France. Six months later, Maria was feeling more at ease in her new Parisian life thanks to NetExpat services and the Buddy Program, so she decided to “pay it forward” by registering to become a buddy for a newer arrival.

Four months into Laura's relocation, the dust was starting to settle for Laura and her family. They had moved into their new home, the children had settled into their new school, and Laura’s NetExpat Career Support programme was starting to take off. This was when Laura decided to register with the NetExpat Buddy Program. Not knowing a soul in Paris was starting to take its toll, and Laura was eager to make new connections.

Solution

Laura and Maria were matched through the NetExpat Buddy Program and an instant friendship bloomed! Several years down the line, not only did Laura and Maria remain friends — “best friends,” as they say — they’ve also chosen to become joint NetExpat Community Ambassadors in Paris. This is a voluntary role, and Maria and Laura now host an array of regular meetups, supporting expat partners who have arrived in the city from around the globe! 

Key Outcomes

With the #1 reason¹ for assignment rejection being related to relocating partner resistance, human connection in a new location can be paramount. Thanks to the Buddy Program, Laura and Maria enjoy a strong friendship and both feel fully settled in their Parisian lives. As joint NEC Ambassadors, both Laura and Maria now support the entire NetExpat Community in Paris, hosting regular meetups, sharing tips and guidance relating to life in Paris and being the Paris NEC group’s first point of contact in case of any questions relating to everyday life in France.

¹NetExpat Relocating Partner Survey 2023

Conclusion

One-on-one connections can make a huge difference to individuals’ experiences in a new location
The Buddy Program was invaluable to both parties: NetExpat successfully identified commonalities between the two “buddies” before introducing them. This connection proved to be a huge success, having a big impact on both individuals’ lives.
The strong connection made through the buddy program inspired the two individuals to support other new arrivals on an even greater level, leading to their decision to become joint NEC Ambassadors, now supporting the wider Parisian community on an ongoing basis!