you could hear any one of eight languages being spoken. This did not include Hindi and the various dialects we heard from our translators, clients and hotel staff. We worked on projects with six non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in teams of three. Mobile technology proved to be an invaluable tool. It was incred- ibly useful helping us to document our findings while we worked with our assigned NGOs. For over four weeks we ate, drank, went sight-seeing on weekends, shopped, Facetimed with each other’s families and sang Happy Birthday to loved ones back home. We celebrated the festival of Holi, went to an Indian wedding, attended two birthdays and even organized a “Jack & Jill” for three of the young women who will be getting married later this year. Even though our ages ranged from 23 to 59, I was amazed at how technology not only assisted with our work assignments, but was integral for planning weekend trips, booking trains, buses, airline tickets and Ubers. WhatsApp kept us constantly in touch and helped us plan client meetings, events and complete our work products. We used different mobile and online technology, often completely trusting each other with our personal information. Without hesi- tation we helped each other when our credit cards did not work with mobile apps. We lent and borrowed money continuously in at least four different currencies simultaneously. Sometimes we repaid in cash and many times we used Internet funds transfer to repay debts. We even created a Birthday List to ensure we remem- bered each other’s birthdays after the assignment. The CSC experience was challenging, exciting, stressful, fun and everything in between. While brief, it gave me a tiny glimpse into the expat experience and left me with a better understanding of the important work we do in facilitating that experience for others. Troy Pariag Chair, CERC parlés par nos traducteurs, nos clients et le personnel de l’hôtel. Nous avons travaillé sur des projets en équipes de trois avec six ONG. La technologie mobile s’est avérée précieuse pour docu- menter nos constatations. Pendant plus de quatre semaines, nous avons mangé, bu, fait du tourisme le week-end, magasiné, parlé avec nos familles sur Facetime et chanté Joyeux anniversaire à nos proches. Nous avons célébré le festival de Holi, assisté à un mariage indien, célébré deux anniversaires et même organisé un « Jack & Jill » pour trois jeunes femmes qui se marieront plus tard cette année. Même si notre âge variait de 23 à 59 ans, j’ai été étonné de voir à quel point la technologie nous aidait non seulement dans nos tâches professionnelles, mais aussi dans la planifica- tion des voyages de fin de semaine et la réservation des trains, des autobus, des billets d’avion et des Uber. WhatsApp nous a gardés en contact. Nous avons utilisé diverses technologies mobiles et en ligne sans méfiance quant à nos renseignements personnels. Sans hésita- tion, nous nous sommes entraidés lorsque nos cartes de crédit ne fonctionnaient pas avec les applications mobiles. Nous avons prêté et emprunté de l’argent dans au moins quatre devises. Parfois, nous remboursions en espèces et souvent, nous utili- sions le transfert de fonds par Internet pour rembourser nos dettes. Nous avons même créé une liste d’anniversaires pour nous assurer que nous nous souvenions des anniversaires de chacun après l’affectation. L’expérience du CSC a été stimulante, excitante, stressante, amusante et tout ce qu’il y avait entre les deux. Bien que brève, elle m’a donné un aperçu de l’expérience des expatriés et m’a permis de mieux comprendre l’important travail de notre asso- ciation. Troy Pariag Président du Conseil, CERC PERSPECTIVES is published quarterly for the: Canadian Employee Relocation Council Suite 1711 44 Victoria Street Toronto, ON M5C 1Y2 Tel: 416-593-9812 Toll Free: 1-866-357-CERC (2372) Fax: 416-593-1139 www.cerc.ca Published by: www.mediaedgepublishing.com 33 South Station Street Toronto, Ontario M9N 2B2 Toll Free: 1-866-480-4717 robertt@mediaedge.ca Publisher Robert Thompson Editor Roma Ihnatowycz Sales Executives Gary Fustey, Dawn Stokes, Jack Smith, Pat Johnston Senior Graphic Design Specialist James T. Mitchell Junior Graphic Design Specialist Marisa Giesbrecht President Kevin Brown Senior Vice President Robert Thompson Director, Business Development Michael Bell Branch Manager Nancie Privé Published May 2019 Publication Mail Agreement #40787580 Perspectives examines and reports on issues related to the relocation and movement of employees for the benefit of employers moving their employees and the organizations that provide support services. The opinions expressed in Perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of CERC. Information contained in this publication has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, however, the publishers cannot be responsible for the absolute correctness or sufficiency of articles contained herein. Members of CERC receive one annual subscription with their membership dues. Subscriptions are available to members and non-members for $50 each per year. Articles and contributions are welcomed, however, MediaEdge Publishing and CERC reserve the right to publish and edit any article submitted. All published articles remain the property of CERC and may not be reproduced without permission. PERSPECTIVES is printed on 10% post-consumer FSC certified paper using soya based inks. When necessary to mail an issue in an enclosure, we use an environmentally-friendly, 100% oxo-degradable poly-wrap. Summer 2019 PERSPECTIVES 9 L’expérience du CSC a été stimulante, excitante, stressante, amusante et tout ce qu’il y avait entre les deux The CSC experience was challenging, exciting, stressful, fun and everything in between