Be flexible and open: That's often where the magic of being an expat lies

Meet entrepreneur, artist, painter and mother-of-four Thuy Gattaux. She has two teenagers, aged 13 and 15, and two stepchildren, who are 22 and 25.

Thuy was born in France but her family originally comes from Vietnam. Luxembourg has been her home for the last 15 years.

How easy did you find it to integrate when you moved to Luxembourg?  

"We felt at home here very quickly, almost instinctively. The integration happened naturally to the point that we went from tenants to owners. Luxembourg is a cosmopolitan country. It is a crossroads of encounters and life stories, and that fascinates me! Each exchange is an opportunity to learn, open up, and evolve.

"Would I say the integration was easy? Yes and no. On a personal level, we found our feet quickly. But on a professional level, it was a real questioning. I had to reinvent myself, get out of my comfort zone, and learn to navigate a new environment. But that's also what being an expat is all about – readjusting, finding your own path, and sometimes accepting that you have to rethink everything."
 
Do you think Luxembourg is an attractive place for families?
 
"No doubt! Safety, quality of life, international education, and cultural diversity – it's all there. Children grow up here in an ultra-enriching multicultural environment, which offers them an opening to the world from an early age."
 
What was your experience of housing in Luxembourg? 

"We started as tenants in Leudelange, but very quickly we wanted to put down roots here. At the time, the prices were still affordable, nothing like today! The Luxembourg real estate market is a real challenge – between high prices and high demand – but we were lucky to arrive at the right time."
 
What do you like about living in Luxembourg?
 
"The dynamism, the cultural diversity, and the richness of the encounters. Here, every exchange can be an opportunity: a new discovery, an inspiring collaboration, or a beautiful friendship. As an expat, I also feel something very special: we are all, in some way, rebuilding. Most of the people around me are also expatriates, and we have this in common, so we have to build our own place. It's this energy that I love here – this ability to reinvent yourself and create something new.

"As an entrepreneur, I have found fertile ground for entrepreneurship in Luxembourg. This country encourages initiative and allows ambitious projects to be built, provided that you dare to take the plunge. I first started Home Services Lux, then evolved into my own creation and set up Art & Reconstruction ArThuy, an approach that combines creativity, introspection, and personal development."
 
What have you found challenging about life here?

"The distance from my family and my roots, without hesitation. Secondly, bureaucracy, which can be a real headache. Finding the right people and the right information is sometimes an obstacle course. But with perseverance, you always find your way around in the end."
 
Was it easy for you to make friends as an expat?

"It takes time. There are a lot of expats, but often, relationships remain superficial unless you make the effort to reach out to others and create a bond. I found my balance by building a community around my passions and work. Result? Deep and enriching encounters, which make all the difference."
 
Can you see yourself living here for the long haul?  

"Luxembourg is my anchor today, both professionally and personally. I built a lot of things here, and I feel good here. But life is made up of surprises and evolutions. So, who knows?"

Did you find it easy to set up as an entrepreneur in Luxembourg with your company Home Services Lux?  

"Creating a business is a constant challenge that requires perseverance, adaptability, and a good dose of creativity. Today, Home Services Lux is a recognised player in home services, specialising in domestic staff (domestic help, housekeepers, babysitters). We have a growing team at the service of families in Luxembourg. On the administrative side, the process is demanding, but with time, rigour, and good organisation, you end up finding your rhythm and structuring your activity effectively."
 
Putting on your creative hat, tell us about your recently opened artist training academy, ArThuy Art & Deconstruction?  

"On 1 March, I opened a space entirely dedicated to the training and transmission of the Kintsugi method (an ancient Japanese art that consists of restoring broken ceramics with gold) on 25 Rue Saint Ulric in Luxembourg City's Grund area.

"I offer courses and training for therapists, professionals in the social sector, and anyone wishing to integrate Art & Reconstruction into their support. One of my training courses is supported by the Ministry of Education and FEDAS, a recognition that allows me to broaden the impact of this approach with children, families, and support professionals in Luxembourg.

"Art & Reconstruction ArThuy is much more than a method. It is a human adventure to help everyone through their periods of transition and to express their experience differently, by making art a powerful tool for reconstruction and introspection."

Do you have any advice for newcomers who are starting their expat journey? 

"Take your time: adaptation is an adventure, not a race. Dare to step out of your comfort zone: it's a chance to learn and reinvent yourself. Don't isolate yourself: join groups, participate in events, and build your network. Be flexible and open: not everything will go as planned and that's often where the magic of being an expat lies! Here, I have found my balance between entrepreneurship and family life, and this is what allows me to flourish fully.

"I never imagined that Luxembourg would become my entrepreneurial playground and the place where I would build my family. When you move abroad, you never really know what the future holds. It's a leap into the unknown, with its share of challenges, questioning, and some wonderful surprises.

"Today, 15 years later, this country has become my anchor, where I have found my balance between entrepreneurship and personal fulfilment."