Expat work assignments are, on the whole, beneficial for most employees. Relocating for work is exciting and often signifies a jump in career progression – often with a higher salary than you were earning back home or at least an attractive relocation package.
Starting an expat assignment can also feel like a fresh start, and it’s all too easy to assume the situation will be ideal. But moving abroad is no easy feat and requires a lot of adjustment.
Here are some of the most common problems faced by expats on assignments abroad, along with some tips on how to cope.
Expat family issues
The problem
Some expats relocate by themselves, but it’s common to bring the family along when moving to a new country. On the one hand, this is ideal as the family acts as a portable support network. On the other hand, bringing a family along means major change for several people, not just one.
Sometimes, the accompanying spouse and child struggle to adjust to life in a new country. For example, a spouse accustomed to working full-time may suddenly find themselves in the role of a stay-at-home partner or parent. Many people's sense of identity and purpose is aligned with what they do for a living, so they can feel at a loss when they are no longer working.
Meanwhile, children may struggle to adjust to a new curriculum at school and might find it difficult to leave old friends behind and make new ones. Things get even more complicated when a different language is involved. While younger kids can pick up a new language with ease, it becomes more of a challenge as children age. A child may struggle to ask necessary questions or express themselves in school in a new language, which can be an isolating and stressful experience.
The solution
Preparation is key. If you’re bringing your partner and children with you on an expat assignment, you should endeavour to tackle these problems in advance.
Firstly, communicating with your family about their concerns ahead of time can make a world of difference. For language concerns, the entire family can benefit from taking lessons together before the move. This also makes it easier to practice speaking the new language.
Partners of expat workers who find themselves unable to work in the new destination (usually for visa reasons) can benefit hugely from connecting with local organisations, whether to do charity work or to simply meet with other expat spouses.
Once in the new destination, remain attentive to your spouse and child and watch for signs of unhappiness. Be careful not to assume that if you’re settled in, they are too – everyone adjusts at a different pace and faces their own unique challenges.
Cultural and language barriers
The problem
If you’re moving to a country where the majority language is different from your own, this can cause obvious difficulties and can affect everything from making business connections to navigating everyday life. Cultural nuances, in particular, are especially likely to get lost in translation. Even in destinations where the language barrier isn’t an issue, differences in culture can still cause misunderstandings and awkward situations, not to mention possible feelings of isolation and difficulty fitting in.
The solution
While this problem is unlikely to be circumvented completely, pre-departure preparation can ease the transition. Cultural training and language lessons are helpful in preparing for life in your new home. There are many companies who specialise in this.
Generally speaking, locals will appreciate anyone who tries to speak their language, even if it’s a less-than-perfect attempt. Finding someone who is willing to help you learn, even just through casual conversation, is also a fantastic way to make friends.
Feelings of isolation can also be eased by joining an expat club or meet-up, where you can mingle with others who have experienced similar situations. The sense of camaraderie brought about by shared experiences of awkwardness or embarrassing misunderstandings in a new country is second to none.
Health and safety concerns
The problem
Not all expat assignees will face issues when it comes to health and safety, but those who do often find that their quality of life and stress levels are seriously affected. This is especially true of ‘hardship locations’ – destinations with political instability or a high crime rate. Expats assigned to such locations are generally well compensated and should have access to the best services the country has to offer.
The solution
In this case, having a detailed repatriation plan is important. Knowing that there’s a way home if the situation worsens can be a comfort. In addition, having a firm end date ensures that the assignment doesn’t drag on indefinitely.
If employers haven’t offered a hardship allowance for this sort of assignment, don’t be afraid to request one. It’s a reasonable ask, especially if the money can be used to mitigate the situation with access to good healthcare and/or appropriate security measures.
High-quality housing, safe transport and good schooling may also be hard to come by in these destinations, and they tend to be costly where they do exist, so make sure that your relocation package covers these costs.
