Intercultural consulting · Geneva
Bridging cultures. Connecting people.
Every culture runs on unwritten rules. We help expatriates and families, athletes and clubs, leaders and businesses decode them, so they can settle in, perform and work together across borders.
It is by discovering other cultures that we truly understand our own.
What we do
Three ways we bridge cultures
01 · Expat Life
How we help you feel at home
I have been the newcomer in nine countries. I know what the first months feel like, because I have lived them, again and again.
Swiss workplace culture
A 9:00 meeting means 9:00 sharp. Decisions take time, and feedback is often subtle. We help you decode communication styles, hierarchy, consensus-driven decisions and the differences between French- and German-speaking Switzerland. Work with confidence and build lasting trust.
Family integration & school support
Children become independent early, lunch may mean going home, and friendships take time to build. We help families find their place, from the Swiss school system and teacher expectations to local traditions and community life. Because feeling at home is about more than having an address.
Embracing Geneva's social life
In Switzerland, friendships often grow through shared activities, and an invitation home is a meaningful step. We help you find your place, from associations and sports clubs to traditions like the Escalade and summer swims at the Bains des Pâquis. Build genuine connections that last.
Everyday customs
Shops close early, Sundays are quiet, and even the shared laundry room may run on a schedule. We help you understand greetings, recycling, neighbourhood etiquette, administration, healthcare and work-life balance. Less confusion, and more confidence to enjoy life in Geneva.
Where and how
Coaching that fits your life
In person anywhere in the Geneva area, or online from wherever you are, even before you move.
02 · Sports Cross-Cultural
Breaking barriers. Building athletes. Elevating careers.
Talent travels, but culture doesn't always follow. A new league, a new coach, a new language: many international moves stall not on the field, but off it. We connect athletes, clubs, agents and universities across countries, and help everyone adapt so performance follows.
Talk about your projectUS college pathway
Guiding European athletes toward NCAA and NAIA programs, from first contact with coaches to adapting to American campus life.
International transfers
Helping athletes and their families settle in a new country, language and club culture, so the move works off the field too.
Clubs & multicultural teams
Workshops for coaches and staff to integrate foreign players faster and turn a mix of cultures into one team.
Agents & connections
Bridging athletes, agents and clubs across Europe, South America and the US, in their own language.
03 · Organizations & Leadership
When business spans cultures, results depend on understanding
A silence taken as agreement. A direct "no" taken as an insult. A deadline that meant "roughly" to one side and "exactly" to the other. Opening hotels for guests of 65+ nationalities taught me that most business problems start as small cultural misunderstandings. We help organizations catch them early.
Cross-cultural communication & leadership
One manager's honest feedback is another colleague's public embarrassment. Training that helps leaders and staff communicate clearly, resolve conflicts and lead across cultures.
Global business strategy
What wins clients in one market can fall flat in the next, not because of the price, but because of how it's presented. We adapt your approach to local expectations without losing your global goals.
Business etiquette & client relations
First names or titles? Straight to business or coffee first? Small details decide whether a first meeting turns into a second one. We decode them, from first contact to long-term client relationships.
Remote & international workforces
On a video call, silence can mean agreement, hesitation or disagreement, depending on who's on the line. Practical strategies to manage remote staff across time zones, languages and working styles.
Marcelo Simeone
Founder | CultureLink Consulting
International Experience. Human Understanding. Real-World Leadership.
My understanding of cultures wasn't developed in a classroom. It was built through decades of international experience, managing people, opening businesses and navigating the complexities of human relationships across borders.
Intercultural management wasn't a concept I studied. It was a responsibility I lived every day.
Before the consultant, the expat
I've been the newcomer. Nine times.
At 16, I arrived alone in Kentucky. Since then, I have started over in nine countries: a new language, new codes, new paperwork, no network, and the feeling of being the one who doesn't yet understand how things work.
Each time, I had to rebuild: find my place, earn trust, understand what people expected without being told. Geneva was no exception when I arrived in 2002.
So when I support an expatriate or a family, I'm not reading from a manual. I'm sharing what I went through myself.
From Brazil to Kentucky at 16, then nine countries
Born in Brazil, with Uruguayan and Italian roots, my international journey began at just 16, when I moved to Kentucky, USA, to study and work. What followed was a professional career spanning nine countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia, including Brazil, Israel, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico and Switzerland.
Opening three hotels in Indonesia, Mexico and the Dominican Republic
Beyond the operational challenges, I was responsible for recruiting and developing entire teams, taking into account local cultural values while preparing employees to welcome guests representing more than 65 nationalities simultaneously. It required cultural awareness, adaptability, leadership and the ability to anticipate misunderstandings before they became problems. I learned to recognize what motivates people and build trust between individuals who don't share the same cultural references.
Corporate management, events and entrepreneurship
Since settling in Geneva, I have spent ten years in corporate management with an insurance company, and fifteen years working and managing in events. As the founder and manager of Domaine de Collex, I collaborate with international companies, NGOs and expatriates, and have built lasting relationships with Geneva's international community.
The father of a student-athlete in the US
As the father of a student-athlete who pursued his education and basketball career in the United States, I have experienced firsthand the challenges international transitions create for young people and their families.
The foundation of CultureLink
Throughout my journey, one ability has consistently shaped my professional and personal relationships: connecting with people, understanding their perspectives and finding common ground across cultural differences. That is the foundation of CultureLink Consulting.
Today, I bring together international management, hospitality, entrepreneurship and lived intercultural experience to support expatriates, families, organizations, educational institutions and athletes navigating unfamiliar environments. I don't offer cultural theories disconnected from reality. I offer perspective, practical guidance and the experience of someone who has spent his life working with people from different backgrounds.
Because understanding people isn't just about knowing where they come from. It's about recognizing how they see the world, and knowing how to build a connection.
Why work with me
Not a theory. A lived experience.
I've lived it
From Kentucky at 16 to Geneva since 2002, I've been the newcomer many times. My advice comes from experience, not from a textbook.
In your language
French, Portuguese, English, Spanish, Italian or German. The hardest conversations are easier in your own language.
Built teams across cultures
I helped open three hotels in Indonesia, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, building local teams to welcome guests from 65+ nationalities. I know what it takes to make different cultures work as one.
One person, fully involved
You work directly with me, from the first conversation to the last session. No call centre, no junior consultant.
How it works
Three simple steps
A first conversation
We talk about your situation, your goals and what feels difficult right now, with no commitment.
A tailored plan
I propose a format that fits you: individual coaching, family sessions, a workshop for your company, or a mix.
Support along the way
In person or online, I'm with you as questions come up, until things feel natural.
For HR & global mobility teams
Help your international hires settle in and perform sooner
Tailored onboarding support for employees and their families relocating to Switzerland, from workplace codes to schools and everyday life. Programs scoped to your needs.
Ready to bridge the gap?
Expat, athlete, club or company: let's talk about your situation and see how we can help.