For non-Europeans, the European expatriate experience can be especially challenging. Not only does it mean moving to a foreign country, but it is also likely to involve doing business in a host of others. Understanding the experience of expatriates in the EC will help firms to manage and facilitate these employees more effectively. An outline is presented of a small pilot study conducted on a group of expatriates and their spouses in the Limerick region of Ireland. The study was aimed at building a perspective on this group's perception of the experience. The main data collection method was via a mail survey which was supplemented by a number of group discussions with spouses. The sample was derived from The International Women's Organisation in Limerick. Most respondents were relatively satisfied with the assignment and, if this group was typical of all expatriate couples, there would not be a major cause for concern among firms assigning expatriates to this region.