Business France and GapsMoov join forces to support V.I.E talents in their cultural integration abroad
Every year, more than 8,000 young French people aged 18 to 28 embark on a professional experience abroad through the V.I.E (International Corporate Volunteering) program, managed by Business France on behalf of the French government. It’s an exceptional springboard to an international career — but also a major challenge: quickly integrating into a completely new cultural environment.
To address this key issue, Business France has formalized its partnership with GapsMoov, creator of the “culture decoder®,” an innovative application that helps decode professional norms in more than 80 countries.
Succeeding in expatriation A Major V.I.E Challenge
For young talents, a V.I.E assignment means crossing three major thresholds: entering the professional world, gaining autonomy, and immersing themselves in a new culture.
While language can be learned over time, professional behaviors and social norms are discovered in real-life situations, sometimes at the cost of misunderstandings — or even true culture shock.
Yet intercultural adaptation is far from trivial: 1 out of 2 expatriation projects fails due to difficult cultural integration.
This highlights the importance of providing V.I.E participants with targeted support to better understand their new environment.
GapsMoov, the “Culture Decoder®” Supporting Young Professionals on Assignment
“Our mission is simple: to help every V.I.E talent understand cultural shocks and turn them into professional successes.
With Business France, we aim to make intercultural skills a genuine asset for France’s influence abroad,”
explains Thibaut Issindou, co-founder of GapsMoov.
An App Dedicated to V.I.E Participants
As part of the partnership, GapsMoov has developed a dedicated version of its application, designed as a true companion for young people on assignment.
In just a few clicks, users can:
• Discover the cultural codes of their host country
• Anticipate professional differences
• Access practical advice
• Adapt more quickly to their new environment
A valuable resource to strengthen intercultural skills and maximize their success on the ground.
