International specialists not only have to be well received in their new company, but also in their new home. St. Michael resident Simona Rakusa had this experience herself and developed a program based on her personal story: “Feel Upper Styria” accompanies international talents as they settle in in Upper Styria.
ST. MICHAEL. Simona Rakusa is a native of Slovenia: She was born in the Slovenian part of Bad Radkersburg, in Gornja Radgona. Even as a child, she looked out of her bedroom window at the Mur Slovenian-Austrian border was only a few minutes walk away.
Maybe that was the reason why the 40-year-old chose… intercultural relationships interested. After graduating from Maribor high school, she studied sociology in Ljubljana with a focus on human relationships in companies (HR management). She spent her final year of study in Gerona in Catalonia (Spain). Language and Culture to get to know. Rakusa speaks German, English, Slovenian, Croatian and Spanish.
Between technology and personnel
During her studies she started working for one Business consulting to work implementing IT systems for larger customers: “I was the one Hybridperson between technology and the human resources department, I explained the new processes to the employees, I like structures,” reveals Rakusa, who is responsible for Large companies like insurance companies and banks worked. But one day she decided to focus on just one company in order to go more in-depth: she chose the company AT&S in Leoben-Hinterberg.
Traveling all over the world
She worked for AT&S all over the world for eight and a half years to support new IT systems: in India, South Korea and China. “All of my projects were international, I only spoke English at work and actually had less contact with Austrians,” remembers Rakusa of his first time in the new country. But then she met her current partner Andreas at AT&S, who came from Leoben-Göss. “I realized that I would stay here and concentrate on learning the language and culture of the people Obersteiermark to get to know in depth.
Heart’s desire fulfilled
Rakusa quickly learned her new one Hometown love. Since she had always been interested in psychology, she resigned from AT&S in 2022 in order to fulfill a heartfelt wish: training as a psychology major psycho-social counselorwhich she completed in April.
“My thought was: What can I offer Upper Styria if I combine my studies in sociology, my international experience and my psychological training?”Simona Rakusafounder of “Feel Upper Styria”
It quickly became clear to the St. Michael resident: the region needs qualified people international specialiststhat stay long-term. The problem, however, is that many people give up after the first few months and go back to their old homeland. For Rakusa it was Arrive in their new homeland made easier by their Austrian partner and the proximity to Slovenia. “Others have a much harder time if they can’t find a connection, don’t speak the language and can’t find their way around well,” says Rakusa.
Accompany changes
That’s why the networker has one Twelve-week program of “Social Onboarding”, which includes individual consultation hours, joint excursions, intercultural training, workshops and the provision of the most important information, from medical to tax systems. “The first twelve weeks are the most important because it’s about establishing a network and really being in the Obersteiermark to arrive: to go ‘all in’.” Rakusa has personally experienced the uncertainty that comes with moving, and the sacrifice it can mean to leave your old home behind. “It’s tragic and expensive for companies if good ones Skilled workers disappeared again after a few months. I want to prevent that with my program ‘Feel Upper Styria’.”
Do the self-test
On yours website invites Rakusa Pursue a, per Self-check find out how ready they are for international talents are. An individual one Report comes back as an evaluation. “We don’t just talk about Upper Styria, we experience it together,” says the consultant international workforcewho are looking for orientation in their new home.
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