The chance to live and work abroad comes about for thousands of people every year. Some have always wanted to make a move like this and have actively worked towards making it happen, others find themselves in this situation seemingly out of nowhere. Whatever your circumstances and the reasons you are either planning to move abroad or are thinking about it as an option, there is no doubt that this is an exciting and enriching experience to have in your life.

We may be biassed, but we believe that most people can benefit personally and professionally from spending at least some time living and working in another country to that of their birth. The prospect of moving away from everything that is familiar to us can be daunting, and this kind of move is certainly not for everyone, but for those who are able to make a success of it there are so many benefits to be experienced.

Almost everyone loves to travel for a holiday or break away from their usual routine, but moving away for an extended period to live and work abroad is completely different. It is not the same as jetting off to Spain for a week and enjoying the beach and bars, you actually have to live in your new place and experience it from the other side as a resident. This means that you will need to find yourself in a position where you can live and work comfortably in unfamiliar surroundings, often with new distractions.

Living abroad is enriching

Life overseas might not be dramatically different to your life at home, though there will be differences that are unique to your new town or city. Even countries with seemingly similar lifestyles can present a massive change in culture. For example, a Brit moving to the USA might speak the same language and have a very similar lifestyle in terms of their personal and professional life, but the culture in the USA is very different and there will be lots to learn.

If you are making a move from a Western country to somewhere like Hong Kong, for example, then things will be more complicated still. Hong Kong is a melting pot of cultures, and may be even more of a shock to the system. For example, apartments for rent in Hong Kong might take some getting used to because they tend to be more compact and more expensive than in other parts of the world.

That said, travelling and learning about different people and cultures is without question one of the most enriching things you can do with your time. Of course, the level at which you find your experience enriching will depend on how much you are invested in engaging with your new community and how outgoing you are. If you are willing to put yourself out there and try new things you are more likely to have an enriching experience.

Living abroad is great for your career prospects

Whether you plan on living abroad for a month, 10 years, or for life, you will find that there are many feathers you can add to your cap thanks to your time spent overseas. Candidates that have lived and worked abroad are often favoured by employers on the understanding that they are likely to bring a fresh perspective to the role, as well as proving they can take on large challenges in a professional capacity.

It doesn’t really matter whether your overseas employer was a famous name or a brand new start up, the fact that you have international experience counts for a lot and demonstrates that you have a particular mindset that would make you an asset to any position you apply for. If you are able to get experience with large, international companies then you will find that even more opportunities will open up for you.

All in all, living and working abroad can have many amazing effects on your personal life as well as your career. If you are on the fence about it, the best thing to do is look for short term contracts overseas, or to ask your employer if they are willing to support you to work at an international branch if your employer has one.

Resources:

The Best Things About Moving Abroad for Work