Maybe you just want to live somewhere different, or perhaps it’s tied to your work or personal life. Either way, as well as the exciting opportunities it brings, there are positive things, but foremost struggles, about becoming an expat that you need to be aware of. The primary amongst these is adaptation. Firstly, why would you even become an expat?
An expat is someone who lives outside their native country. Expatriation offers a number of possible benefits including different work opportunities, cheaper living costs, travel opportunities and the somewhat clichéd ‘fresh start.’ But ultimately, you find yourself in a new place, with new people surrounded by new environments.
There is no doubt that the rewards of living and working as an expat are attractive. However, when you emigrate to another country it can be a transition. This scale of your transition can depend upon factors like your country of origin, your destination, your situation, and your background. From finding housing and jobs to learning the local language and culture. But, it can also be incredibly rewarding. You get the chance to live in a new country and meet new people, and it provides new opportunities and experiences. For those considering a move to another country it’s important to be prepared for the struggles that come with expat life. If that’s you, it’s inevitable that you’ll notice differences. But quite often, the speed of change takes many by surprise and demands quick adjustment.
You’ll need to adapt quickly but also be willing to learn to navigate this new and ever-changing physical environment. The same applies when interacting with the people around you whose norms, values and behaviors might be very different from your own. A simple list of dos and don’ts can help here but they’ll only scratch the surface. It’s impossible to know them all.
So here are some things to be aware of as a new expatriate.
The Language Challenge
This is one of the most common challenges for expats when they move from one country to another. Life can be much more difficult if you don’t know the language. Imagine having a problem in your house and not being able to explain it to anyone!
In order to overcome this you may need to learn the local language to communicate and move around quickly. Though there are many options to learn new languages it may take time. Therefore, if you know you’re moving abroad you should plan ahead and start taking language classes before you go, or practice with popular language learning apps such as Duo lingo.
Even learning rudimentary phrases to help you navigate your initial relocation phase to another country can be a huge help. If you’re still deciding on your destination, then it might be worth thinking about how easy it will be to pick up the language. After all, some languages are more difficult than others.
For more tips go to Tips to overcome language barriers for expats
- Coping with the culture shock
Becoming an expat creates a highly stressful environment which often results in the so-called ‘culture shock’. This varies in magnitude and ‘shock’ might not always feel like the right word – but both relate to having a feeling of disorientation when you suddenly experience a new culture.
Cultural differences have a huge impact on our well being. Depending on the proximity of this new culture to your own, the change can be minimal or extreme. Overall, it’s safe to say it’s normal to be overwhelmed by the number of things that change in your immediate environment; the language (that you may or may not speak), types of homes, eating habits or dress codes – to name only a few! The best way to prepare for the physical side of the move? Do your research and splash out on some getting-to-know-you time in the country in advance.
- The pressure to get it right
Let’s think about the uncertainty you face in this situation. There’s a lot for you to learn. Will you get it all right? That’s very unlikely.
What’s required is resilience. Resilience helps you to move out of your comfort zone, risk making mistakes and to learn from them! It’s just like learning a new language – we will never become fluent if we play it safe and stay quiet. Sure, it means we’ll never be wrong but we’ll also never say very much.
There are two possible scenarios to understand here. Some people may learn the language but find it hard to let go of their fear of feeling embarrassed when making mistakes. It’s very important to accept that it’s part of the process and that success is built from failures. Motivation is key.
The other scenario is that people move countries for an assignment but are not interested in the culture or don’t find the language ‘attractive.’ They can get by in English at and outside of work. Perhaps they are only relocating for a year or two, possibly even commuting home every weekend.
The language of the host country might have a reputation for being very hard to learn and it’s a very daunting thought. In both cases, learning even the basics can work wonders. Locals really appreciate the effort made, even though it’s only the greetings or other every-day words that can make all the difference.
- Fitting in
As you try to settle in to a new culture, you are also trying to fit in with your new environment, workplace, and social dynamics. Fitting in is always one of the major concerns for expats, as you don’t want to be left isolated with no friends.
To help prevent this you should research well before moving and discover your new culture’s customs and traditions. Your colleagues may be able to help point out any dos and don’ts for an easier transition. It’s also worth joining expat Facebook groups for your destination where you can ask for any advice and just see if anyone is up for meeting up. Making friends with people who have lived there for a while can make a huge difference when it comes to that feeling of fitting in. Also read Debunk the myth
To find expat groups on Facebook, just search for expat + your destination name in the groups section. And, if an expat group doesn’t exist where you are, why not create your own? If you know how to grow your Facebook group, it can be a great way to meet other people and can lead to all kinds of opportunities.
- Miscommunication
Collaboration skills are strongly linked to effective communication. But how do we make sure that the message that we’re trying to send matches the message being received? Messages can be distorted in the wrong sort of way by cultural differences.
Quite often ‘requests’ in British English cause misunderstandings with international professionals explaining that they have trouble understanding what the feedback of their colleagues and bosses really mean. “You might want to consider”…”You could try”…they seem very vague to people from more direct cultures but asking for clarification also seems unnecessary as people think they understand the message (“do what you want”) or are too embarrassed to ask for clarification.
The ambiguity here refers to the interpretation of verbal, non-verbal (body language) and preverbal (how we speak) communication. The ability to interpret is not something that happens overnight unfortunately.
Moving countries can be very volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous – but do we really
have to move in order to go through a similar experience? Far from it.
Culture shock can take place locally in a diverse team or remotely with colleagues in different locations and time zones worldwide. On top of that, let’s throw in the challenges caused by the pandemic: online communication that is so different to face-to-face, the ‘zoom fatigue’ that impacts on our effectiveness, and the lack of quality social time that hinders team building and networking.
Whoever you are, it is important to be prepared for these challenges. Living in a new country, language barriers, cultural differences, and feeling homesick are all expat challenges that can be difficult to overcome, but it is possible with the right mindset and support system.
If you go with proper preparation and an open mind, there is no doubt that you can overcome these challenges and have a successful and enriching experience living abroad. And, if you are an expat facing challenges, reach out to your community for help. You are not alone.
What ever you decide, make sure it is a decision that when you look back at 80 years old, you will not regret. Need help to come to a decision? Send a an email to Cat
And soon you will be walking with Cat and putting things into perspective, so you can come to a well balanced decision. Or download the E-Book for tips in the meanwhile
