More people than ever are considering a move abroad expressly for employment purposes – and you needn’t just take our word for it! The BBC has created an entire new section on its website which is dedicated to this specific subject area. The new section is entitled ‘At Home Abroad’ - and it serves to prove just how popular expatriation is becoming for working age Britons.
The new BBC website section brings fresh perspective to many of the age-old discussions and considerations that expats and would-be expats have, such as education issues for third generation children, repatriation and reintegration, moving for money and making the dream of a new life abroad a reality for example. It also brings new journalists to the topical expat discussions, and hopefully it will attract as wide an audience as possible.
We’re really glad that the BBC is drawing such centralised attention to the entire issue of moving abroad, because the truth of the matter is, whilst many people are considering relocation there are very real hurdles placed in the path of expatriate success. These hurdles can often hamper any would-be expatriate’s dreams; but with the BBC raising the profile of the issues surrounding settling in and making a success of a new life overseas, hopefully more Britons than ever will be able to take the challenge and actually succeed.
One of the subject areas we’re particularly pleased to see the BBC highlighting is that of relationships – and how they can be put under strain and suffer specifically because of a relocation challenge.
In a report entitled ‘How an Overseas Job Can Affect Family Life’ BBC New York reporter Kim Gittleson tackles the issues of the so-called ‘trailing spouse’ - including visa trap problems and the employment/career concerns of those who follow a spouse who’s relocating for work reasons.
Citing examples of various expats who have had to face all the harsh realities that can come with something of an enforced move (i.e., when you’re following a relocating partner), the report brings excellent insight into the challenges that a family can face when it relocates.
This will no doubt allow other expats in a similar situation to realise that they are not alone in terms of the challenges they face and the feelings they are experiencing. And it’s critical to know that you’re not alone – even when you’re a stranger in a strange land!
The report ends with a positive note about how trailing spouses and those who fall into a relocation because of their partner’s job or specific desires to move can actually create their own opportunities for a better life overseas.
Overall this new section from the BBC is very well worth a read if you’re thinking of moving abroad. What’s more it has topics of equal interest to those who have already made the move and who are working their way towards integration – AND it even has articles that are pertinent to people who are facing repatriation.
In other words, the BBC has created a very valuable and well-rounded ‘living abroad’ section that’s well worth closer inspection. We’ll keep you up to date on improvements, developments and additions to this section of the broadcaster’s website…and in the meantime, if you’re specifically interested in the subject area of relationships and relationship stress among expats (and how to avoid it!) you may find two of our own reports of interest: -
Avoid ‘Inevitable’ Relationship Stress When Moving Abroad
And
Protecting Your Marriage When You Move Abroad