Consultants experience difficulty in being effective in a foreign country, particularly in developing countries. Difficulties include definite cross-cultural differences that consultants lack the skills to overcome or adjust to, language and communication differences, consultants' inability to adjust to a new situation quickly, and inability of consultants to be accepted by and develop credibility with the host country. Three approaches to effective consulting are the directive style (the consultant in a dominant role), collaborative style (consultant's expertise in combination with client's local knowledge), and facilitative approach (the client as expert and the consultant as catalyst). The consultant must learn to use the different styles at the appropriate time. Overseas consulting requires these skills that apply to all three consulting styles: assessing how much the client can absorb, developing cross-cultural skills, dealing with a multiplicity of clients, dealing with gender barriers, establishing ownership and commitment, learning to be oneself in a different cultural context, and sizing up a situation quickly. Strategies for breaking into the international field include taking jobs with voluntary or religious organizations to get experience, being available on short notice, expanding network of contacts by attending meetings of international groups, and identifying organizations with potential overseas consulting opportunities. (YLB)