In this episode, Indu Govindan, Director at ABRA and co-founder of JEA, shares her unique journey as an international student from Dubai to Canada and back. Indu discusses her career in management consulting, her decision to return to Dubai to join her family business, and the challenges of navigating cultural identity and reverse culture shock. She emphasises the importance of networking, adapting to new work environments, and building credibility as a young leader. Indu also reflects on her entrepreneurial venture with JEA and offers valuable advice for international students and globally mobile talent who are contemplating their future.
Highlights are:
What it really means to “move back home”
Why she felt more Canadian than anything else after 11 years away
The reverse culture shock
Rebuilding professional network from scratch
Navigating family business dynamics: father as founder, brother as boss, and husband in senior role
The difference between Canadian and Dubai work cultures
How “boredom” drives every major career move
Co-founding JEA: from pitch call to actual business
Her advice on “stay or go”: don't be too attached to the plan
What she’d tell her younger self: have more fun
If you’re wrestling with the “stay or go” question, we hope this conversation will inspire your thinking.
Topics: Reverse Cultural Shock, Career Transitions, Family Business, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Dubai vs Canada Culture, Luxury Retail, International Students, Global Talent
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