You are the regional director of a large U.S.-based import export company that is expanding international operations.

This requires three of your top managers to move to Rome, Italy, for no less than two years, maybe longer. Given their lengthy stay, they will be moving their families along with them and setting up new households.

1. What problems would you anticipate these executives will have as they adjust to their new surroundings?

2. What specific measures could be taken to help these individuals avoid the symptoms of culture shock that are likely to arise?

3. What difficulties might these individuals have when they return to their own country at the end of their assignments? What could be done to minimize these problems?