Making the Decision to Become an Expat

There are a lot of things that happen when you move to a foreign country that make you wonder if you made the right decision.  Every part of your being will be tested.  Who are you? What do you believe?  What is your culture?  How much stress can you handle?  All of these questions and more push you to your limits.  It isn't easy, no matter what anyone tells you.  If you have friends who are expats, take what they say with a grain of salt.  Your experiences will be different because you have a different way of thinking about life.

One thing I really would like to urge everyone to think about before they take an assignment in a foreign country is what they expect to encounter there.  If you expect it to be horrible, you're probably wrong.  If you expect it to be wonderful, you are also probably wrong.  I believe the best way to go about it is to not have any expectations about the country and people.  Go, explore, ask questions when you can, but don't hold the people you meet to any standard.  My experience has been if you go with an open mind and no expectations your experience will  be awesome.  On the other hand, going with a preconceived idea about how things are going to be will lead to let-downs and frustration.  This is true for any foreign country.  I love living in Germany but although I speak German it is still difficult. The other expats I have met here and the few Germans that have taken me in and made me part of their family is what makes it all worth it.

Go take a chance.  If you do, you will be greatly rewarded.  Yes, there will be days when you want to throw up your hands and leave, but stay.  Do it because in the end you will look back at the time and realize that you have grown as a person and maybe also in your profession.  You will have proven that you can handle stressful situations.  And, maybe, you will meet awesome people who will make you part of their extended family.  They will be part of your life no matter where you go in the world.