Surviving Relocation Abroad

Summary: The idea of being relocated abroad to take up a glamorous new post in an exciting new destination is something many employees dream of. But when reality strikes and opportunity comes knocking how can you prevent the dream from turning into a nightmare?

The idea of being relocated abroad to take up a glamorous new post in an exciting new destination is something many employees dream of.  But when reality strikes and opportunity comes knocking how can you prevent the dream from turning into a nightmare?

Many expatriates who have been relocated abroad to take up an overseas assignment either for a set period or for good find that the realities of relocation are far different to the dream.  Getting to grips with a new country, a new job and a whole new way of life is daunting, stressful and for some, quite overwhelming.

And yet living overseas offers a whole new world and wealth of opportunity for the new expatriate and their family, and those who can successfully make the transition and settle smoothly into life abroad could not only enjoy a great new lifestyle but also establish themselves as flexible, committed and ambitious employees worthy of due respect and reward.

Getting in the right frame of mind

Whether you have always dreamed of one day moving overseas with your company or a chance of relocation abroad was something that came out of the blue you need to be in the right frame of mind before setting off on the adventure if you are in with a chance of survival!

All too often the lure of excitement and a brand-new, bright-light lifestyle can have expatriates and their families rushing off before securing the practicalities of their adventure, battening down the hatches at home and establishing strong roots in the new country.

Make sure all your affairs at home are straightened out before you go and that you have decent, well located accommodation to move into when you arrive overseas.  Getting these basic steps right will ensure that stress is kept to an absolute minimum and physical discomfort is limited.

If you are tempted to rush off and leave sorting out affairs back home until a later date you will add undue pressure, worry and also possibly create a certain amount of havoc that you really won’t want to cope with.  If you do not ensure that you will have decent and well located accommodation you will feel very lost and unsettled when you arrive which will not put you in the right frame of mind for dealing with your new assignment.  It may also mean that your family will suffer from depression, homesickness and loneliness while you are out at work all day.

Speak out!

Companies who relocate key employees nearly always ensure the services of a relocation company are engaged to assist with the smooth transition.  It is essential that you and your family keep in close and regular contact with the relocation company, and that they understand all your key requirements and meet them.

If you have children ensure that schooling, day care and social groups are identified and meet with your approval, ensure that all the paper work is done and you are assisted every step of the way with registration and enrolment.

If you have a spouse it is imperative that she (or he) is well prepared and looked after.  It is a well known fact that the majority of overseas postings that fail, fail as a result of familial issues - usually between husband and wife.

While the husband is settling into his brand new life at work his wife is left alone in a strange home with no friends and no social contact.  This will happen - so make sure your spouse is well supported, is ready to go out and make new friends or find new work.

Be supportive of each other.

As a family it is down to you to provide the strength and support for each other.  If you are the main breadwinner you may come home feeling stressed as settling into your new role is difficult - however, be prepared to come home to a wife who is homesick and children who are finding it difficult to settle - you will all need to spend time with each other helping each other through.

Take time away from work and new life commitments to get excited about your new country again.  Take advantage of all it has to offer by going on sightseeing trips and excursions.

Don’t suffer in silence.

If one or more of you are having a particularly tough time then speak to colleagues, the relocation team and even your boss at work, explain the nature of the problem - if it is housing for example get help finding better accommodation, if your wife is lonely put her in touch with colleagues’ wives, if your children are unsettled find expats with children who have been through the ordeal and get together.

If on the other hand you are the one who has been relocated and you’re finding it hard to settle into a new office environment, a new role, a country with different working traditions and procedures then you will need the help of people who have been there and done that.  Networking with local business groups and spending time with other professional expatriates should help.  Some of the people you meet will have been through the same ordeal; others may be able to explain why and how things are done differently and add clarity to the situation for you.

And finally...

For some, three months is long enough for them to feel settled in their new home abroad, for others it can take up to 2 years.  Do not expect the transition period to be stress free; do not expect to fall in love with the country, the new job and the lifestyle instantly!  If you work hard and consistently and set yourself goals and targets and try to achieve something from your long list of ‘things to do’ every day - from opening a bank account to trying out the local supermarket or just trying a local speciality dish - you will gradually feel empowered and brave and rightly pleased with yourself for taking on so much and succeeding!

SHARE: del.icio.us   Digg   Facebook   Google   Mixx   NewsVine   StumbleUpon   Technorati   YahooMyWeb