Expat Career & Wellbeing Coach Amsterdam

Integrative Coach. Counselor. In-Company Coach.

Hi, my name is Stella Pennekamp, and I am the founder and coach of Orange Expats, an Amsterdam-based coaching practice specialising in career and wellbeing coaching for expats.
With over 19 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients from more than 80 nationalities overcome career and wellbeing challenges while living in the Netherlands.

Where it all began

Through my upbringing, I developed an early fascination with people and cultures. My mother, a cultural anthropologist and sociologist, inspired me with stories of her international research and her work supporting internationals in the Netherlands. My father, who worked in finance, helped foster a broad worldview and gave me insight into corporate culture. Together, they showed me how cultures can enrich one another and how diversity broadens our perspective. This upbringing also immersed me early in the dynamic interplay between culture and corporate environments.

I have been connected to Amsterdam all my life—a city that has long brought together internationals from across the world. During my Master’s degree in Cultural Management at the University of Amsterdam, I joined international student associations to support international students and help make their time in the Netherlands truly memorable.

My upbringing and student years sparked a fascination with human situational behaviour and cultural adaptation. On a personal level, I saw how my in-laws, also internationals, struggled to adapt to the Dutch workplace and noticed the lack of professional support available to them. Immediately after graduating, it all came together. During a training I attended, I was deeply moved by the power and potential of the coaching and training profession. This experience inspired me to support internationals professionally—following in my mother’s footsteps and influenced by both my in-laws’ struggles and the trainer who led the session.

That dream took me on a journey of fascinating education and practical experience, culminating in 2005 with the founding of Orange Expats, a practice dedicated to Expat Career and Wellbeing Coaching.

Understanding your journey

Now, nearly two decades later, I have worked with hundreds of clients from over 80 countries. I understand the challenges expats face: from navigating cultural differences in the workplace to finding balance in a new environment; from loneliness, homesickness, and feelings of helplessness to anxiety and a sense of losing control.

Perhaps, like many of my clients, you might wonder why your career isn’t advancing, despite doing everything that’s asked of you and delivering excellent results. You may feel that you’re not used to standing up for yourself, even though it’s becoming increasingly necessary. Maybe you’re doubting so many things that you’ve lost your sense of direction and feel stuck, unable to move forward. perhaps the demands at work feel overwhelming, leaving you sleepless and on the edge of burnout.

On top of work challenges, family and personal balance can add another layer of difficulty. You may be grappling with big decisions about where to raise your children, wanting to pass on your own culture but worrying whether they’ll truly understand you if they grow up in a different country.

It’s possible that your partner is unhappy in the Netherlands, leaving little mental space for your own needs. Or you could be weighed down by concerns for family or parents back home, struggling with feelings of guilt or helplessness. Perhaps you’ve even found yourself hesitating to share your struggles with loved ones, fearing you’ll burden your parents, partner, or friends.

If any of this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. Together, we can work towards clarity, balance, and regaining control of your life.

My vision for coaching

As an expat, you have taken a brave step. You have left behind everything and everyone familiar, driven by hope for a brighter future for yourself or your family—or by curiosity about an exciting adventure. That takes courage! And there is so much potential for growth here in the Netherlands.

However, staying on track can sometimes feel difficult, and you might find yourself at a crossroads. Whether you are struggling with professional challenges, cultural differences, or simply feeling stuck, you do not have to face it alone.

Clients appreciate my empathy, attentive listening, and lighthearted approach during coaching sessions, as well as the profound results they achieve. I strive to create a safe environment where you feel at ease sharing the challenges you are facing. Together, we will make your international experience more rewarding and help you regain control of your life.

Coaching qualifications

My academic journey included studying Theatre Studies, Sociology, and Cultural Management and Policy at the University of Amsterdam and Erasmus University in Rotterdam. These studies deepened my love for people, culture, cities, and human behaviour.

After my studies, I pursued a path of continuous learning and professional development, completing a wide range of certifications and training programmes in coaching and counseling. This ongoing commitment ensures that I stay at the forefront of new insights, methods, and best practices to better support my clients.

University of Amsterdam

I hold a Master's degree in Cultural Management and Policy.

Postgraduate education in coaching

After my Master's degree, I enthusiastically pursued years of training in Expat Career and Wellbeing Coaching.

Integrative & Holistic approach

My approach is integrative and holistic. As a result, your results will be profound and sustainable!

Supporting young adults

I believe in contributing to society in meaningful ways. In addition to coaching talented internationals, I also assist individuals who have acquired a brain injury following an unexpected event, radically changing their future.

Request your introductory call

Would you like to discuss your situation or learn more? Feel free to get in touch. I look forward to helping make your international journey even more fulfilling.

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