This blog was written by Arshiya Shaik.
Moving countries is no small feat. Behind every international career move lies a family adjusting to new streets, new routines, and a brand-new life. Yet, too often, the spotlight falls solely on the “first hire” — the employee who brought the family abroad. What about the partner who builds a new home, forges connections, and quietly holds the family together?
This question inspired Carla van der Heiden, a photography student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Mol, Belgium, to create her graduation project: a photo documentary called Essentials. In collaboration with the Expat Spouses Initiative (ESI), she is capturing the stories of international spouses and partners in the Brainport region — stories of resilience, vulnerability, and the invisible strength behind international assignments.
The Spark Behind the Project
“I kept noticing how often the partner was described as just ‘the expat spouse,’” Carla recalls. “But they’re so much more than that. They’re professionals, creatives, parents, explorers. I wanted to show who they are — not just their label.”
Her curiosity about the untold experiences of internationals drove her to document their lives authentically. Essentials isn’t about staged glamour or polished portraits; it’s about capturing the intimate moments that make a new place feel like home: learning Dutch with sticky notes on the fridge, video calling family back home, or sharing small rituals that bring comfort and continuity.
“The goal was simple,” Carla explains. “I wanted people to see the person behind the title, the routines behind the move, and the courage behind every small step they take in a new country.”
Why “Essentials”?
The project’s title carries double meaning. Essentials reflects both the vital role accompanying spouses/partners play in family well-being and the small, everyday routines that anchor life in a new country.
“Spouses are essential,” Carla emphasises. “Not only to their partners but to the success of the whole international move. Without their adaptability, flexibility, and courage, it simply wouldn’t work.”
The concept resonates through her photography. From casual moments over morning coffee to moments of reflection at the end of a long day, Carla captures the ordinary yet indispensable actions that shape expat life. It’s in these “essentials” that strength, resilience, and humanity reveal themselves.
Behind the Lens: Trust, Empathy, and Patience
Carla doesn’t just take photographs; she also listens. Each shoot begins with a conversation, a cup of coffee, and time to build trust.
“People need to feel comfortable,” she says. “It’s not about making them look perfect. It’s about capturing a piece of their reality. That requires trust.”
The process isn’t always easy. Some stories are deeply emotional, touching on loneliness, identity struggles, or the pain of leaving a career behind. But Carla sees these moments as pivotal to the authenticity of her project.
“There was one participant who told me, ‘This is the first time I feel someone is interested in my story.’ That really stayed with me,” she shares. Such interactions highlight how little attention is often paid to the personal experiences of international spouses/partners — although their contributions underpin the success of the family’s international move.
An image from Carla’s previous photo documentary, “Happiness = a bouquet of Dahlias.”
Collaborating with the ESI Community
For Carla, the partnership with the Expat Spouses Initiative was invaluable, as she knew she couldn’t bring Essentials to life alone. “Working with ESI gave me the trust and insight I needed to approach these stories respectfully. They opened doors, but more importantly, they helped me understand the emotions behind each experience — the fears, the joys, and the small moments that truly define expat life,” Carla explains.
Through ESI, Carla met spouses from diverse backgrounds, capturing a wide range of experiences. Some had newly arrived, navigating language classes and cultural adjustments; others had been in the region for years, balancing careers, parenting, and social integration. The collaboration also underscored the importance of community support — showing how networks, advice, and social connections help families adapt to a new country.
Stories of Strength and Resilience
The faces Carla photographs tell stories of courage in everyday life. There’s the spouse who left a thriving career behind to support an international assignment, discovering new passions along the way. Another spouse juggles freelance work while helping their partner integrate into a fast-paced global company.
Vlada Vorona, a participant in her photo documentary, shares: “Everyone who finds themselves in a new country goes through their own unique journey. You can’t compare yourself to others or say what’s ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ — it’s a bit like giving birth: each experience is deeply personal.”
Shubhi Chandra, another participant, reflects: “Having my story captured in a photo documentary brought mixed emotions. I felt happy that someone was focusing on me, not just my partner, and it boosted my confidence — I could share my thoughts with someone completely new without hesitation.”
Alma Flores described her experience participating in the photo documentary: “It’s a very exciting project for me and a wonderful opportunity to share my experiences from the past two and a half years living in the Netherlands. This journey has been full of emotions, challenges, and unexpected adventures. Being able to tell my story through something visual, like professional photography, offers a unique perspective.”
These personal accounts reveal the unacknowledged work that spouses contribute — not just logistical support, but emotional labour, cultural adaptation, and community-building. Carla captures these layers in her images, creating a visual narrative that celebrates their essential role.
An image from Carla’s previous photo documentary, “Happiness = a bouquet of Dahlias.”
Capturing Identity in a New Environment
Each photo in Essentials is taken in a place meaningful to the subject — a home, a workspace, or a favourite café. Carla explains, “I want viewers to see these spaces as part of the story. It’s not just about the person; it’s about their life, their routines, and the way they make a foreign place feel like home.”
This focus on the environment highlights how identity adapts alongside relocation. Learning the language, joining local activities, and creating daily routines are all subtle ways that spouses claim belonging. Carla’s lens captures these moments with sensitivity, offering viewers an intimate look into the private worlds of expatriates.
Looking Ahead
Carla sees Essentials as more than just a graduation project. She hopes to exhibit the series publicly in 2026, allowing both the community and employers to engage with the stories of those often overlooked in the narrative of international mobility.
“I want viewers to walk away with empathy,” she says. “To realise that behind every global career is a partner whose story matters too.”
A Tribute to the Unseen
For the international accompanying spouses who open their doors to Carla, the project offers recognition. It validates their efforts and contributions, reminding them that they are not invisible participants in the story of relocation.
“I hope each person sees themselves as more than a label,” Carla concludes. “I want the photographs to reflect their courage, creativity, and resilience. These are the essentials — the things that truly matter.”
In the end, Essentials is a celebration of strength found in quiet dedication, a tribute to adaptability, and a reminder that behind every international career move is a family supported by spouses whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and honoured.
