Yesterday we focused on how expatriates can successfully integrate into their new life abroad. We looked at the findings from the Institute of Public Policy Research which surveyed many British emigrants living around the world for their ‘Global Brit’ survey, and we discussed how certain common factors mean that people find it easier to integrate overseas.
Today we’re going to be looking at the common expat mistakes that can make settling in abroad that much harder. We’re well aware that few expats plan their move abroad as comprehensively as they perhaps ‘should’ if they want to ensure a smooth transition, and as a result we want to highlight the most common issues that crop up and result in expats having a hard time with integration.
If you’re at least aware of the basic problems that can put you on the back foot when you move abroad, hopefully you can protect yourself against them and have a much better chance of making your new life overseas work.
One of the hardest hit demographics when it comes to integrating are retired people – they, combined with those who work for a British company abroad, apparently find it much harder to settle in and settle down. This is largely due to the fact that they are isolated from the local community to a certain degree.
Those who work for a British company overseas or who live abroad and perhaps work from home for a British or multinational company will find it very hard to meet new people. Their working day will not allow them contact with locals, and so this will limit the amount of time they do have to meet new people.
Retirees also find it hard as they have no natural way in to the new community. Those who move abroad and work for a local company or who have children in the local schools find it much easier to meet local people – this naturally has the effect of leading you in to the community and helping you integrate and find your place in society.
So, if you’re moving abroad and you’re retired or you’re going to be working for a British company for example, you need to be aware of the obstacles that are in your path from the outset when it comes to integration. To overcome these obstacles you will need to make an extra special effort to get out and about and meeting people.
If you have few friends living locally to you this is another reason why you may well find it hard to settle in. Those who also leave all of their family behind when they move abroad struggle with integration. This is because we all need a certain amount of community-type support from friends, family, acquaintances and colleagues because we don’t tend to work well in isolation when it comes to emotional wellbeing.
Again, this means you need to be aware of this factor and make a special effort to network and make new contacts and lasting friendships abroad if you want to feel more comfortable in your new environment. If you don’t do this your isolation could mean you quit and return ‘home’ having failed to make a go of your new life abroad.
You might think that those who move overseas and move into a community of Britons find it easier to make a go of their new life abroad, but you would be wrong. Those who move into enclaves are cut off from the reality of their new nation and they feel increasingly isolated both from their old home nation and their new country of choice. So, again, knowing this means that you can ensure you find the right balance, when looking for a home overseas, between living near fellow Brits or expats, and living right within the local community.
Finally, if you fail to learn the language you will always feel like an outsider and this will restrict your chances of ever settling in. Those who live abroad and have poor or no language skills cannot expect to find a way in to the local community, they will therefore always feel like outsiders. Whilst learning a new language can be very difficult, the investment in the time it takes to learn is well worth it as it can make the difference between always feeling lost overseas and feeling at home in your new home environment.
