"Becoming culturally agile. Alexandra Popkova, AWC Bogotá, navigates South American culture without losing sight of her Russian identity"
| Inspiring Women Magazine by FAWCO

I was deeply honored to be invited to share my story in the November 2023 issue of Inspiring Women Magazine by FAWCO and to be featured on the cover of the publication as part of an 9-page personal and professional feature.

Inspiring Women Magazine is an international publication by FAWCO - The Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas, a global network connecting internationally minded women, expats, professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders across different countries and cultures. The magazine shares stories, insights, and experiences related to international life, leadership, personal growth, cultural adaptation, career development, and building meaningful lives and careers across borders.

In this profile feature "Becoming Culturally Agile. Alexandra Popkova, AWC Bogotá, navigates South American culture without losing sight of her Russian identity", I share my personal journey of building a life and career across multiple countries and cultures, reflecting on the realities of international transitions, cross-cultural adaptation, identity, belonging, and the emotional complexity that often accompanies expat life.

Originally from Russia, I’ve lived and worked across Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Throughout the interview, I reflect on my own expat experience and some of the cultural differences I encountered between Russia and Latin America, including communication styles, emotional expression, social expectations, relationships, traditions, and different ways people approach community, trust, conflict, planning, and everyday life.

The feature also explores how these personal experiences later shaped my professional path in executive coaching, Organizational Development, leadership development, and cross-cultural work.

One of the themes that became especially important throughout my journey was the role of human connection and community during periods of transition and uncertainty.

I also talk about why I created The Dis_Connected Events, a community initiative designed to help expats disconnect from the constant pressure of adaptation and reconnect with themselves, others, and a sense of belonging.

Having personally experienced the loneliness, uncertainty, identity shifts, and emotional intensity that can accompany international transitions, I became increasingly aware of how important supportive spaces and meaningful relationships are when building a life abroad.

The feature also includes reflections and advice for new expats:

• Navigating uncertainty during international transitions

• Building community abroad

• Cross-cultural communication and adaptation

• Managing identity shifts while living internationally

• Understanding cultural differences more intentionally

• Navigating the emotional side of relocation

• Adapting without losing your sense of self

• Building a more grounded and sustainable international life

All of these experiences, both personal and professional, eventually became deeply connected to the work I do today.

As an Executive Coach (PCC, ICF), Organizational Development consultant, and cross-cultural leadership specialist, I supporting leaders, executives, expats, and professionals navigating leadership, complexity, transitions, multicultural environments, and international careers.

My work combines leadership and executive coaching, Organizational Development expertise, embodiment-based approaches, leadership development, and cross-cultural understanding developed not only through professional experience, but also through living these transitions myself.

I currently work with clients from more than 35 countries in English, Spanish, and Russian.

Read the full article here

Learn more about cross-cultural communication, building career abroad, and expat experience in my blogs:

• Why Living Abroad Feels So Hard (Even When Everything Is “Fine”)

• The Hidden Challenges of Living Abroad: Expat Identity, Culture, and Adaptation

• Moving Abroad For Work? 5 Cross-Cultural Communication Mistakes to Avoid