Many an expatriate benefits greatly from the time he or she has spent abroad. Not only do foreign language skills and intercultural competence make them a valuable employee – expatriate assignments can also bring financial benefits. We tell you what you can get out of being an expatriate.
Preparing your paperwork thoroughly and taking care of practical issues before going overseas is vital. But do not underestimate the psychological side of things: going abroad can be emotionally taxing, and not all your dreams and hopes will come true. Be realistic and be prepared!
When I first arrived in Australia at the age of 16 to go to High School for one year and live with a host family I was completely over the moon with everything — and I mean everything! When the plane finally touched down in Sydney I was so excited and exhilarated that I was finally in Australia, something we had been planning for many months.
Many expatriates take their spouse or family along when moving abroad. Are you one of them? You may have noticed yourself that working expats have a career to distract them from culture shock, but partners often struggle with the situation. InterNations offers tips on coping with this change.
Expats often struggle to completely adjust to living in another country. But sticking exclusively with the expat community may ultimately prevent you from really understanding and immersing yourself in the local culture. InterNations helps you leave your comfort zone!
On average, we change jobs five times in our lives and it is not always a planned change. There is a high probability that you will lose a job at least once in your life. To make it less painful, you should take care of your freedom while still at work. InterNations member Malgosia has some advice.
Making your way as a stranger in a strange land is often a challenge, and you may get into sketchy situations at times. Scammers try to profit from new expats’ lack of experience, and some places require you to take additional safety precautions. Stay alert and keep the following measures in mind!
Intercultural competence is an invaluable part of your preparations for life as an expat. Yet it is often overlooked in the run-up for a job posting abroad. InterNations shows you how you can benefit from this skill to make sure your international assignment will be a success.
When thinking of opening your own business abroad, it’s easy to underestimate the financial and emotional impact, the bureaucratic obstacles and the necessary market research that go into it. Below, we offer a brief round-up of things to consider when you open your own business in a foreign country.
Romantics move abroad to be with their partner and do their best to fit in (e.g. by learning the local language). While they find it easy to make local friends, their job situation is often unfavorable.
Organizations have gone global but have you? What does it really mean to be a global leader? Executive Coach Sunita Sehmi has ten simple pointers for you to help you succeed wherever you are in the world.
Ever wondered about the best way to exchange foreign currencies? Always wanted to know more about international payment methods? Exchange rates, transaction fees, and international payment methods will be no mystery to you with our overview of everything that currency exchange entails.
Students move abroad for their education and are very eager to learn the local language. While they’re highly educated and satisfied with their career prospects, their financial situation doesn’t seem too bright.
Barely a year had passed since I started living abroad when I received a rather intense and emotion-filled message from a friend of mine, proclaiming: “I hate this city, I hate everything about being here - I am looking up flights to move back home at the end of the week.”
In a recent article, Global Expat Quenby Wilcox described trailing spouses as “the unsung heroes of an international relocation”. I agree! Finding the right job in a new context requires time, perseverance, self-esteem, and patience. What is very difficult is to remain resilient and to remember that trailing spouses have acquired real valuable skills that can be transferred to many markets.