What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

What all considering becoming expats should consider.

Their is a high likelyhood that your expat adventure will fail in less than 12 months because of unreasonable expectations. Wanting things to be exactly as they are back home. Missing our family and friends, familiar foods, possible language barriers, expecting people to think like we do, People all over the planet have unique customs ,values and beliefs that sometimes we may not agree with. We should remember that we are guest in our new place of abode and that it is not a good idea to express our views about controversial subjects to the locals . Before considering relocation as an expat do your homework before making a move because moving to a country that does not share your viewpoint will likely doom your expat adventure to failure.

I have been an expat for several years now and my comment above probably does not even begin to cover things expats should think about but I know several who have failed as expats because they did not think things out and do their homeworkbefore setting off on their adventures.

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

Took me about 2 years before I felt comfortable living here.

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

So true!

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

Expect things to be different. Problem solved. :nod:

As I came to the US with that mindset, I then found that there were far more similarities that differences between the US and UK, and also that many of the differences were good ones. :)

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

I think it’s is a little bit more nuanced than that.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriate

Some on here are or were expats, and came through work, I did, but once I became a PR / USC I would say I became an immigrant. Others who came through marriage are more akin to immigrants right away…

You point about expecting things to be like home seems strange to me, My reason for moving abroad 2 of the 4 times I did it was an active choice to want to live in that country because of it’s difference to the UK. I did see the “expat” thing more in Asia and Aus/NZ, with people being in a “bubble” with others, but there are so many immigrants in the US it seems to be less of a thing for “Europeans” others seem to have clusters and their own sub community.

Your point about being a “guest” only holds so long, once you become a USC you have nearly all the same rights as natural born USC and should not think of yourself as a second class citizen.

Coming here as a single and marrying a local after I became a PR through work definitely helped me integrate… I have “family” here… I have been offered “expat” assignments since becoming a USC and have turned them all down, I would never say never, but it would take a 5-10x increase in net compensation for me to consider it, which is more than any role I have been offered is worth. I can see how it would be very hard for a foreign couple with or expecting to have children to move here away from family support and would not want to make that move unless it really was an offer I could not refuse.

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

You really think that? I certainly don't.

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

You think I would post an opinion I don't actually believe? If so, you really don't know me! :unsure:

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

I think in some instances it is correct but not all.
I found it was easier to accept certain things and just get on with it. It gets old really fast if you spend half your life gripping about " this is not how it should be"especially when your work life is affected.

Of course we are both British so things we didn't like or didn't understand why they were different meant we could have a good old moan about it together:lol:

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

This is the same approach that I took. :thumbup:

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

I quite like this new 'failed / passed' qualification for expats. Although the 12 month period for fail / pass seems a bit arbitrary.

Perhaps there should be separate forums for failed and passed expats? Then one can mix with the right sort of expat.

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

Can you be borderline? Fail in one category and pass in another???:lol:

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

Yes, that can make a difference. With my Canadian wife I tried to just show some differences when I came across them, with no biases, but when I would describe things like 4-6 weeks annual leave, paid sick leave, low cost prescriptions, help with rent, welfare without having to sell your car, school supplies being provided by the school, not having to do tax returns every bloody year and so on, her jaw used to drop - in a good way - so I was less concerned about it. :lol: :nod:

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

I want to know which category my husband fits into. He emigrated to Australia, then moved back to the UK, then moved back to Australia. We might need a third forum :lol:

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

Borderline - we need a fourth forum!

Re: What All Considering Becoming Expats Should Consider
 

Yes. And my American wife lived in England for many years, and saw many of the ways in which the UK is infinitely better than America. However, when attempting to be polite and sensitive, British people would ask her, “are you Canadian?” (Never mind that she’s from the Bronx and has the accent to prove it.) I’m afraid that was the straw that broke the camels back, she refuses to move back to England..