With the number of international assignments continuing to increase, it is important to understand why people accept to be expatriated. Clearly, being an expat involves a number of important stressors in life, such as moving between countries, starting a new job or project, adjusting to a new culture, and having to build new relationships. Why is it worthwhile to tolerate these challenges? The answer is simple: the benefits usually outweigh the costs.
From a professional point of view, an expatriate contract often includes an attractive compensation package, so the relocation can be financially advantageous. You may also gain developmental or promotional opportunities, so the transfer can boost your future professional career. However, there are several benefits that go beyond the actual expatriate job. In a way, an international assignment offers you a lifestyle change. You get to experience a new culture, may learn a new language and make international friends, so expatriation is culturally enriching. Moreover, it entails many opportunities for discovery and adventure, making a stay abroad a personal development experience.
Decision: In sum, people may accept an international assignment for a variety of reasons. So what would be your main drivers for accepting an expatriate assignment? If offered an expatriate assignment, would you rate professional factors more highly for your decision to accept it, or would you rather favor personal factors?
I worked for Accenture for 9 years. I started in the London office, spent a year in Chicago and 3 years in Sydney, Australia.
I sought out these changes for one simple reason: I was a little bit bored. The adventure of a new country, a new lifestyle seemed very exciting compared to continuing on where I was for the next 45 years.
I think we can grow as people most when we face significant changes in our environment. In that respect many people learn more in 3 months living in a foreign country than in 18 years growing up in comfortable “known” surroundings. So, another reason for expatriate experience would be for personal development. In a new country, where few people know you, you get to be who you actually are… not who your parents, friends expect you to be.
In many corporate cultures, an expatriate experience demonstrates loyalty and can be a requirement to reach senior ranks. It may be a a path to power.
In any case, the learning is often not what is expected.
When I was 14 my father’s job moved from Dublin to Chicago. He was prepared for the change. The family was not. He was helped by his company, introduced to new friends, helped to make the shift. I was dropped off at a school that bore no resemblance to my Dublin school, nobody introduced me to new friends and I had to figure the whole thing out. I hated it with a vengeance. Some thought as to the full family’s needs when a single family member accepts an expatriate opportunity would be great!
Great blog.
I’m from peru, I worked in brazil sao paulo, 1 year and was a unique experience, locals did not know, but I slowly get used to the big city
I completely agree with conor. personal development, growth is what Expatriation gives you most.
Expatriation is like jumping from a high cliff. Only the fools will do it without thinking twice. Some will enjoy it and quickly become addicted, others will just never do it again.
The risks exist (but less today than 20 years ago), and trade-off is important. More than anything, at first, you just know what you’re giving away, not what you’ll get.
But I’ve never found people regretting their experience. Sometimes it’s disappointing, yes, but the great life lesson(s) you get washes bad details away.
I’ve spent 1/3d of my life out of France now, moving to Algeria when I was 2, coming back at 7. Then moving from town to town in my home country, and finally getting back abroad, in Spain, where I still am right now.
Give it a try: if you can have job protection (expatriate assignment within your company), for a limited amount of time (2 years), there’s little to be lost, a lot to be learnt.
The only drawback? Once you’ve tried, You’ll start willing to move every 3 o 5 years…
I know it is just metaphorically jumping from the cliff, but moving to a new place, city, country or even a continent is so much safe thanks to the computer tools, internet, voip over phone.
In relation to your comments, I would like to draw your attention to HSBC’s Expat Explorer Survey that is conducted on an annual basis. The 2010 survey results, which are based on a sample of 4100 expatriates (incl. self-initiated expatriates), show that personal development is perceived to be the most important benefit of becoming an expatriate. Specifically, 81% of respondents believe that broadening their horizons and gaining life experience is the most important benefit, followed by better quality of life (66%), career development (60%) and financial wealth (55%).
For more details see http://www.expatexplorer.hsbc.com
I’m Argentine living 19 years in Sao Paulo – Brazil and I think every culture revolves around different values. By the time you finish absorbing new insights that enrich personal and professional development
In my opinion someone would not liked to accept an expatriate assignment just like that as long as they are fed up of what they are doing. I assume its more of personal factors to decide. But not to deny the fact, professional factors do count.
I from the UK and I live in Japan. For me making the decision to live and work in a foreign country came to be in a very natural way. At first it was a personal choice because I fell in love with the Japanese culture then I decided to study in Japan at the same time started looking for work and now I run my own company, I’m married to a Japanese lady and with 2 lovely children. I’m very happy on both a personal level and professional level.
To live in a country in which the culture is very strong I would recommend favoring a personal factors over anything else.
In Japan, foreign workers often get very fed up with adapting to the strong culture but it’s be fine for me.
I’m Japanese and staying in Japan. Because I’m the only son in my family, it’s my responsibility to stay here and take care my parents.
Going abroad can be very positive both personally and professionally.
But there are lots a variable to consider when doing it: are you going with a real job offer? what about your family? the cost of living? where to stay?
Great Articles. This is the main questions that every future expats ask themselves before accepting any assignment or expatriates post abroad. We have a lot of request for advises from various families around the world and it seems that dedicated country discussion forums online for expatriates is very much helpful to them. Exchanging with other families already established abroad is sometimes the best way to remove second thoughts about relocating.
Yeah, going out offers you a lifestyle change, experience a new culture, maybe learn a new language definitively it will enriching your life. But before you consider going abroad you must evaluate: are you going with a job offer? where to stay? the cost of living?
I’m from peru and I live in California, working as a factory worker, and to this day I have not had problems with my situation as a foreigner, I have spent 2 years
I worked in Brazil for a year and cost me a lot. I missed my home, my friends, my family. Im from Colombia. I will not do again. Excellent article.
Great post! Our first journey outside Australia was definitely a career move for my husband – 3+ years in NS Canada. We were in the military at the time and life was not a lot different to Australia, we spoke the same language and flowed in the same military culture. The scenery was very different!
Our second was to Israel for 3+ years and although we chose to go for the personal challenge and thrill of living in the middle east, it turned out to be a huge leap for my husbands career. Our children were older and their experience and well being was my first priority. We assimilated well and we all grew, both as a family and individually because of our experience there. Loved every minute!
Our third – Panama, Central America was both a business decision and we wanted to have another adventure! We had predetermined to spend 2 years away from Australia and our now adult children, we stayed for 3+ years.
Experiencing and understanding different cultures has made me a better person. I am very grateful.
The challenge of living abroad is not a problem, returning home is far more difficult I think!
Excellent post, thank you.
I’m from peru, I worked in brazil sao paulo, 1 year and was a unique experience, locals did not know, but I slowly get used to the big city
I’m Colombian and I went to USA because I was offered a better job opportunity
From my own experiences, i found that the benefits and scale of perosnal development far oputweighed the professional advancements, although having said that I think by developing my personality with a new culture and language, allowed me to more easily and very importantly with more confidence to accelerate my professional career and status.
I think the keyword is to embrace the opportunity and be open both personally and professionally to all that is offered in your new environment.
I have taken 3 overseas postings in the last 15 years and enjoyed the cultural experiences greatly, learnt 3 languages and new ways of working
highly recommended
love the blog
Real expat work. In a way, an international mission that offers a change of lifestyle. and costs.
I am spanish and I have been leaving in my 34 years life in Scotland, England, and Australia and Spain of course.
I move to Scotland for 1 an half years to learn English, then back to Spain for 2 years and I got offer a good job from Spanish employer to go to England and I did, there I meet my husband, he is Kiwi ,and we decided to move to live in Australia as it was the place where he was leaving before he went on a working holiday visa to England, I did enjoy all of then equally.For personal or working reasons .
I grew up as a person, I learn a lot, and now I know I can get through anything and everything after been more then 6 years away from my family
I have met a lot of expats because of my work in Panama. I help them settle into a new home and try to make the transition more comfortable for them. I think that is great that cultures mix with each other this way. It can only make the world a better place.
The exposure to a different culture is priceless. Language, cuisine and traditions would be on the top of my list!
theres some comments above. Expatriation is very important in my opinion for personal development and life experience.
I have been to many different countries over the years and by visiting other countries it opens your mind up to how the rest of the world actually lives rather than being tunnel visioned like many people.
sometimes when your in strange and unknown situations thats the time when you truely find out who you really are.
in my opinion if you have the opportnity for Expatriation the ngo for it and dont look back
nice blog and thanks for the interesting article, regards
paul
I am Australian and I decided to go to LA because the opportunities and the salary was better. I did not regretted the choice because in many years in Los Angeles I could have done a lot of positive experiences.
Opportunities are everywhere and for the best opportunity, it is not bad to go anywhere in this planet as because of internet, everything is accessible from anywhere.
I am living in India and currently I have traveled only within India and looking for opportunities abroad. And if I get, I will surely go anywhere without any second thought.
Great thing about moving abroad is that the cost of living in certain parts of the world is much lower than in the US but if you keep your earnings at the US level, you can dramatically raise your lifestyle level. Besides, for some of us, climate change and specifically the number of sunny days a year is probably number one motivator. 🙂
I would take an international assignment without asking too much questions. Exposure to new cultures and languages can only develop me as a person, as well as a professional.
Nadav
I would only accept an expatriate position based on overriding personal factors. It would be important that the position supported my personal life, allowed me to personally grow or expand or assisted my family in some way.
I’ve lived all my life in the Philippines and I wouldn’t the pass the opportunity to work abroad. I want to travel, see new places and meet people from other countries. Of course I would still want to come back to my country. There’s no place like home. 🙂
Knowledge regarding the self-transcendence values of candidates for expatriate assignments may assist global human resource managers to make more effective selection decisions regarding expatriate assignments.
Thank you for the interesting read. As someone who has never lived outside of the country in which I was born, I can definitely say that it is something I wish I would have experienced. Living in another culture and learning how others work, live, play, and more is an experience you can only garner from actually doing it. I will hopefully get this chance in the future.
Personally, I would really struggle to live and work in another country. I love travelling, but thats different. Actually relocating your whole world to another country would be overwhelming for me. I love where I’m living, I love the people I’m with and it would be heartbreaking to have to leave that.
I believe going abroad may be very positive both personally and professionally. But there is a lot of variable to consider when doing it: are you going with a real job offer? what about your family? the cost of living? where to stay?
According to me, travelling abroad should happen all the time and in all country. But the thing that everyone should consider is that after working for few years, you should return to your own country to develop its economy rather that settling in the foreign country itself.
Personally, I would really struggle to live and work in another country. I love travelling, but thats different. you should return to your own country to develop its economy rather that settling in the foreign country itself.
I would love to visit your site again post your twiter account so I could follow
Thanks for your suggestion – just added this to the site!
I have lived all my life here in Colombia and I want to have an internation experience in my life. I thinkthis´ll open my eyes to new possibilities, people and ideas.
I think that as you travel your mind expands in different directions.
I would only accept an expatriate position based on overriding personal factors. It would be important that the position supported my personal life, allowed me to personally grow or expand or assisted my family in some way.
I have taken 1 overseas postings in the last 5 years and enjoyed the cultural experiences greatly. I have also studied abroad for a period of time. It depends on the person. Its not for everyone but i love experiencing new cultures and languages.
highly recommended
Nice post.
Going and staying abroad can be positive both personally and professionally.
Positive professionally because if a greater opportunity is waiting abroad then it would be best to grab it as great opportunity only knocks once. Positive personally because by going to different places you can meet different races, learn different cultures and other things that can help mold you and can give you a much better insight.
One of the advantages of taking an assignment in another country or even in another region of the same country is you get paid to be a tourist. You have the job/assignment to help you meet locals as another person and not be seen as a tourist. You have the time to learn from the locals, relax and explore the area, and take in sites as a tourist without feeling rushed to do/see everything you can possibly squeeze into your visit. The internet and VoIP calling services make it easier and relatively cheap to maintain contact with family and friends anywhere in the world.
By going abroad we can learn a lot. In touring and exploring in another country we can personally view and learn different cultures, see beautiful sceneries and experience the lifestyle of different places. Our advanced technology makes things a lot more easier nowadays as there are a lot of things that we can do via net however there is still a big difference in experiencing things personally compared surfing the net.
There are a few things that you would have to way up before deciding whether to accept an expat job. Some things to consider would be if you are married and have children, what age they might be is also a consideration. What could your spouse do? I would be inclined to go for it because of the life experiences that you will get. Meeting new people and experiencing new cultures would far outway the negatives. Besides you will have some great stories to tell.
John
Personally, I would really like to live and work in another country. I love travelling, but that’s different. Actually relocating your whole world to another country would be fun for me. However I love where I’m living, and I like the people I’m with and it would be heartbreaking to have to leave that.
I’m British but I’ve been living in different countries for over 9 years. I’m just moved to Brazil after 6 months in Argentina.
I think moving to another country solely depends on what the individual wants with their life.
It suits me to enrich myself this way and now is a liefstyle, but this isn’t for everyone.
I say each to their own.
I love travelling, but that’s different. Actually relocating your whole world to another country would be fun for me.
The exposure to a different culture is priceless. Language, cuisine and traditions would be on the top of my list!
hi..I would take an international assignment without asking too much questions. Exposure to new cultures and languages can only develop me as a person, as well as a professional. Thank you
Saygın
robinsonbuckler@gmail.com did a love spell for me about 3 days ago and the results came like miracle….
Yeah, going out offers you a lifestyle change, experience a new culture, maybe learn a new language definitively it will enriching your life.
It has its advantages and disadvantages. For me, the biggest disadvantage of going outside is not able to be with family and friends. The money is secondary.
Spaf,
I glad you wrote this; it needs to be seen widely and acted on.
your recommendations are clear and actionable—well done!
We nearly moved abroad a few years ago to live and work. Having weighed everything up, it would have been too difficult to leave friends and family behind at the time. Now we have two small children, the prospect is too daunting. Perhaps we will reconsider it again in the future?
According to me working abroad is really beneficial for your personal and professional growth as well. You learn new skills, working with different culture people, and this helps you in long run. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Hello there, You’ve performed an excellent job. I’ll certainly dig it and for my part recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this website.
Exposure to new cultures and languages can only develop me as a person, as well as a professional.
We nearly moved abroad a few years ago to live and work. Having weighed everything up, it would have been too difficult to leave friends and family behind at the time
I spent time in Australia, Ireland and also throughout Eastern Europe but I could never shake the longing to return home, coming from a small town I think it’s great to explore but one always finds themselves wanting to return home in the latter part of their lives, but be sure travelling is an amazing thing to broaden the mind.
It is so hard to move to work abroad, the language and the culture could be a big issue, it is good to get informations aboout the culture before you travel.
There are a few things that you would have to see before deciding to accept an expat job. Some things to consider would be if you are married and have children. their schooling. what your spouse would do. i have seen fights because your spouse has nothing to do, no where to go and no one to meet.
I accepted a 2 year expat assignment in Germany w/o speaking German. Jumped off the proverbial cliff without thinking twice. Went through some serious culture shock initially but stuck it out. Awesome life experience. At the end of that assignment moved to the UK for another expat assignment. Went through culture shock again. Again, awesome life experience. Now after 2 years in in the UK I am moving a 3rd country for a different expat assignment so I guess it safe to say this is my lifestyle now. I would recommend everyone try an expat experience at least once in their life but some people will adjust easier than others. It’s definitely been super challenging emotionally going through the different culture shocks and learning a new language but the personal development and different perspective I have as a result is definitely worth it.
We nearly moved abroad a few years ago to live and work. Having weighed everything up, it would have been too difficult to leave friends and family behind at the time http://cezy.org
I have lived abroad for professional reasons and for me it was a unique experience: it has enriched me professionally and personally
Living in another culture and learning how others work, live, play, and more is an experience you can only garner from actually doing it. I will hopefully get this chance in the future. http://hupmap.com
Well for whatever reason you have to do international moving you have to think it trough over and again and to make a good preparations.
We nearly moved abroad a few years ago to live and work. Having weighed everything up, it would have been too difficult to leave friends and family behind at the time http://pitake.com/instagram/followers
It’s my life-long dream to become an expat, and maybe a few years from now I’ll move to Europe or Middle east to experience it. I want to discover different cultures and learn a lot from it. I recently had a conversation with a European businessman. We talked a lot about business opportunities in different countries that he had been, and I was in awe about all of his achievements in life. He has his own firm that specializes on commercial leasing like office space for rent or serviced office. I want to be like him someday. I just need to use my business skills and try to monitor my new surrounding for possible business opportunities that I may create.
I worked abroad for business purposes and move my family with me. We managed it for five years before moving back. Hardest decision we ever made!
Amazing. You describe very well about reasons of study in abroad. We must know these reasons. Thanks for sharing this information with us.
I worked for Accenture for 9 years. I started in the London office, spent a year in Chicago and 2 years in Pequim.
I sought out these changes for one simple reason: I was a little bit bored. The adventure of a new country, a new lifestyle seemed very exciting compared to continuing on where I was for the next 52 years.
A major problem is the culture shock
Expatriation is like jumping from a high cliff. Only the fools will do it without thinking twice. Some will enjoy it and quickly become addicted, others will just never do it again.
It’s my life-long dream to become an expat, and maybe a few years from now I’ll move to Europe or Middle east to experience it. I want to discover different cultures and learn a lot from it
The exposure to a different culture is priceless. Language, cuisine and traditions would be on the top of my list!
Such a fruitful post. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for sharing valuable knowledge about expatriate assignment.
We nearly moved abroad a few years ago to live and work. Having weighed everything up, it would have been too difficult to leave friends and family behind at the time
One of the advantages of taking an assignment in another country or even in another region of the same country is you get paid to be a tourist. You have the job/assignment to help you meet locals as another person and not be seen as a tourist. You have the time to learn from the locals, relax and explore the area, and take in sites as a tourist without feeling rushed to do/see everything you can possibly squeeze into your visit. The internet and VoIP calling services make it easier and relatively cheap to maintain contact with family and friends anywhere in the world.
I worked abroad for business purposes and move my family with me. We managed it for five years before moving back. Hardest decision we ever made!
theres some comments above. Expatriation is very important in my opinion for personal development and life experience.
I have been to many different countries over the years and by visiting other countries it opens your mind up to how the rest of the world actually lives rather than being tunnel visioned like many people.
sometimes when your in strange and unknown situations thats the time when you truely find out who you really are.
in my opinion if you have the opportnity for Expatriation the ngo for it and dont look back
nice blog and thanks for the interesting article, regards
paul
A great contribution the article, thanks for the information.
I have been to many different countries over the years and by visiting other countries it opens your mind up to how the rest of the world actually lives rather than being tunnel visioned like many people.
sometimes when your in strange and unknown situations thats the time when you truely find out who you really are.
in my opinion if you have the opportnity for Expatriation the ngo for it and dont look back
nice blog and thanks for the interesting article, regards
paul’s plunge! I’m now working in a different part of the UK, that’s about as far as I will get for now but I am enjoying a new adventure. All the best everyone with your overseas ventures ?
According to me this is wonderful post to understand many things about expatriate assignments and what is the pros and cons of it. Thank you so much
Personally, I would really struggle to live and work in another country. I love travelling, but thats different. you should return to your own country to develop its economy rather that settling in the foreign country itself.
I am from NewYork, USA. I am an occasional traveler and a part-time blogger at Washing Solution. Before five years ago I was in Australia and worked for a construction firm. My chief would say, John, you must love your job not the workplace. So, it is better decision to go where you need.
It was a very good article indeed. I love to travel abroad to discover new cultures and Places. I must say everyone should visit other countries. It is good to know about this beautiful world.
Good article. Thank you for information.
Our second was to Israel for 3+ years and although we chose to go for the personal challenge and thrill of living in the middle east, it turned out to be a huge leap for my husbands career. Our children were older and their experience and well being was my first priority. We assimilated well and we all grew, both as a family and individually because of our experience there. Loved every minute!
yes..this is challenging, this is not easy at all. Then you sit down and thing and re-thing.Always take a blank paper with a pen and write down pluses and minuses (advantages and disadvantages) . You’ll see an answer there. When it came for me to decide, i took personal reasons more that any others.
Wanted to go to Ireland just for a few years, yet 12 years later i am still here…Will i ever go back to my homeland? That’s a good question i don;t have an answer to myself-maybe yes or maybe not.
We’ll live and see. Ireland is lovely 🙂
I think the main driver would be the overall compensation. Especially if you’re being relocated to a much cheaper country.
I went abroad to further my career. It was a life changing decision and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone that was looking for adventure.
I would only accept an expatriate position based on important personal factors. It would be necessary that the position supported my personal life, allowed me to personally grow or assisted my family in some way.
very good post. I went abroad to further my career. It was a life-changing decision
Production House Wild Angel Film has produced a documentary about the devastating effects of mass emigration of the Moldovan population.
I went abroad for business reasons and my family came with me. We lived in Europe for five years and had the time of our lives. I would definitely recommend travelling. It broadens the mind.
Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.
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I agree. The financial package can be huge, especially when you’re assigned to a very cheap country to live in and paid wages for here.
Very interesting article.
I absolutely agree with all the statements:
* personal development is perceived to be the most important benefit of becoming an expatriate.
* 81% of respondents believe that broadening their horizons and gaining life experience is the most important benefit
* better quality of life (66%), career development (60%) and financial wealth (55%).
Absolutely.Personal development is number one, this is no doubt.
I personally been to lots of countries. Traveling is my passion. What are the benefits ? In my opinion, they are countless benefits (the most important are highlighted above).. it opens your mind up. You learn the new cultures, meet people, traditions, kitchen, see the highlights , learn new things (maybe a bot of a new language) and understand how the rest of the world actually live. You get out of your box.
You also learn time management and organization skills. A visit to a new country enriches you. There are only very little group of people, who aren’t into traveling.
I would advice to travel- to study, work or for holidays. It’s exiting, its interesting, its a new adventure.
Families traveling with kids. Who said you can’t have good time bringing your kids with you?
Travel with your loved ones.
All the best to everyone who is holidays or just planning one. It’s a new experience. It’s a new adventure. Have fun 🙂
Accepting a work abroad is the best thing you can do. Getting to know other cultures, food, way of thinking is really valuable. Have been to over 50 countries already and worked in 6. Priceless experience.