Former Bermuda resident Marie Porter has launched a UK company specialising in orientation workshops for expatriates heading out to new careers in Bermuda.

Ms Porter, who lived in Bermuda from 1994 to 1997 and returns for visits, said when she was hired as an executive secretary for a local firm she knew next to nothing about where she was going before she boarded the plane.

Her goal now, through her company Orientation Angels, is to give those who have been recruited into Bermuda jobs a little information on what to expect before they arrive.

?I always had it in the back of my mind to do this; it would have made my settling in period a lot easier,? she said.

Orientation Angels was officially set up in February, and Ms Porter has been running the courses for several months.

A series of half-day workshops, held at different London venues, are designed to give an introduction to the Island, its culture, people, how to relieve culture shock, schooling information for families moving to Bermuda, accommodation, health care and information for non-working spouses.

Ms Porter said statistics show that about one-third of expatriates around the world repatriate to their home countries earlier than expected because of an inability to adapt to a new culture or way of life.

She said for those going to Bermuda, expectations of an endless holiday can hinder adapting to one?s new life.

?Some go out to Bermuda thinking little about the work they are going to do,? she said.

?You go out thinking life in Bermuda is a beach. I help people with expectations.?

Ms Porter admitted that the take-up for the courses had been ?slow? to date, but said she expected it would take some time for the new offering to take off.

She hopes companies will begin to send their recruits for the workshop before they fly out to the Island.

A wide range of Bermuda-based positions are filled by UK-recruits, from nanny positions to accountants.

Ms Porter tailors her workshops to suit different professions.

More information: www.orientationangels.co.uk