Where Are You From? A Journey Through Places, Careers, and Identity: Did Mobility Decrease? A question many of us quietly ask ourselves as global dynamics shift and borders—physical or ideological—seem to become more rigid again.

I’ve been reflecting on this recently because I am currently in transition, preparing for my next professional chapter. And with transitions comes the big questions: How mobile are we really? How open are we to moving, adapting, and exploring again?

For me, mobility has been part of my identity. When people ask where I’m from, I’ve learned there is no simple answer. I usually describe myself as a Bavarian-born European with a deep affinity to Asia.

My journey spans multiple continents and life chapters: I grew up in Austria and Indonesia. I studied in Munich, Zurich, and London. I worked in Frankfurt, London and Brussels and Geneva. I worked four years in Taiwan while my family lived in Hong Kong. Most recently, I returned to Munich, my birth town, after four years in Canada.

My children completed the French baccalaureate and studied in London. So when someone asks: Where are you from? — I often recall the TED Talk titled “Don’t ask me where I am from, ask me where I am local.” It captures the essence perfectly, since home for me is not a single place it is defined by people, values and habits.

Here are a few reflections from a life lived across borders:

It broadens your perspective — and your children’s. Moving exposes you to new ways of thinking, living, and problem-solving. We chose to keep one schooling system (the French one), which gave our kids stability in the midst of change.

Mobility builds resilience and agility. No matter how many spreadsheets you create for the next move, there will always be surprises. Mobility teaches you to adapt, improvise, and remain curious.

Cultural immersion creates profound learning. You don’t just see a culture — you live it. The professional and personal experiences that come from immersion are simply irreplaceable.

Opportunities rarely match geography. The role you truly want may not be where you currently live. Mobility increases the number of opportunities. My first Brand Manager role involved a move to the UK and my first General Manager role made us move to Taiwan.

Know your personal boundaries. Define your “no-go” places — clearly and logically. It makes decisions easier for both you and your employer.

A curious partner is mission critical. I am incredibly fortunate to have a spouse who shares the desire to explore the world. Without that backing, mobility becomes a burden rather than an adventure.

There are trade-offs. Not everything is romantic, you leave friends behind, there are moments of uncertainty and transitions can be painful. Integration and sometimes more so re-integration requires hard work to overcome reverse culture shocks.

A broader Reflection: In times of decreasing globalization and increasing geopolitical fragmentation, cultural exchange is more important than ever. And the most meaningful form of cultural exchange is immersion — stepping into another society, working within it, learning from it, and allowing yourself to be changed by it.

My Encouragement. If you have the chance — early in your career or later — step outside your comfort zone. Live somewhere new. Experience the unfamiliar. The world becomes larger, richer, and more surprising when you move through it, not just look at it.

It is worth it!

What do you think? What opportunities or challenges do you see when it comes to professional mobility?

Christian Macher - Follow
VP & General Manager Germany - in Transition I Passionate about Transformative Medicines, HealthTech and New Ways of Working I Creating possible I PhD in Chemistry