Going on an international assignment is a life changing opportunity. It teaches you how to be independent, how to interact with new people, how to cope up with an entirely new culture and so much more. When you come back, you’re an entirely different person than you were before; more knowledgeable, more experienced and stronger than ever.
However, it’s not as easy as it sounds – you need to prepare and make up your mind before you accept to take up this opportunity. It’s like a whole new world out there, especially when you’re travelling to a different country.
So, the million dollar question is – what are the habits of an expert expat and what helps them outshine? The answer is – Doing your home work! Here’s a quick guide that might help you in getting prepared for your international assignment
Learn About The Country:
Every country has different culture & norms; you need to familiarize yourself with it. If possible, it is best to visit the country beforehand so you know everything you need before you actually start working. Knowing the culture and people around prevents resulting in an “expat burnout”
Example: Collectivism and power sharing is more common in Asian countries than in the West, which promotes more individualism and autonomy, comparatively. Therefore, if you’re travelling from a western country to an Asian country, you’re more likely to experience high centralization and tight control over things.
Learn The Language:
Learning the language is very important. Nobody expects you to be an expert at it but knowing the basics can help you connect with people and to not depend on anyone whenever you need help. Keeping a dictionary/ translator with you so you can easily refer to it when needed can also be helpful.
Know The Organizational Culture:
Even though you might be working for the same company, culture can be different! According to research, organizations operating in eastern countries (Arab, India, China, Japan etc) usually have high context/ intrinsic culture i.e. they value relationship more and communication is usually done through unspoken gestures. Whereas, organizations in the western countries including the US, have low context and are extrinsic in nature; communication is spelled out loud, policies/ rules are more formalized. Professionalism is valued over personal relations
Make Connections:
Connecting with people you are expected to work with can help you understand their nature and also the basics that you need to know before you start working with them. Strong professional connections can also help you in dealing with any work related problems that you might face during you international work assignment. Thanks to social media and professional forums like LinkedIn and Twitter, via which, you can learn everything you need to know about your team members beforehand and also stay in touch with them.
Be Patient:
You might feel overwhelmed in the beginning but you’ll get used to of it eventually. Experiencing a cultural shock is common but once you give yourself some time to settle in, you will start to like and ultimately embrace the change. You’ll find yourself adapting to the new environment, people and culture. All you need is an open mind to accept things the way they are.
Try Out New Things:
Try out as many new cultural experiences as you can; making new friends, trying out new food, taking risks and finally, getting ahead! You might not like all of them, but you will be a better person for having tried and might also end up with great memories to cherish forever.
Research, Research & Research!
Last but not the least; research is the key to success. Get as much knowledge as you can about the country and the people you’ll be working with. You can visit the country’s embassy website to know more about your rights as a visitor and about the basics of that country. Also, thanks to Google, everything is now just a click away. It is advisable to learn not only the do's and don'ts but also the prevalent cultural values and cultural blueprints.
Remember, this is a lifetime opportunity and not everyone gets the chance to experience it. You are starting an exciting new chapter of your life so make sure you enjoy and make the most out of it.
Good Luck!
Kiran Ali is a master’s degree holder and a PHR certified professional working at Edward Jones in the talent analytics space. Kiran has extensive years of multinational experience working in the HR industry. What sets her apart is her diverse background and passion for writing; she wants to share her knowledge & experience with the world. Kiran is a firm believer that hard work pays off!
Kiran has been known for breakthrough innovation, challenging the status quo, and her never-ending love for the HR field. In her free time, you’d find her watching inspirational videos & reading articles related to HR. You can follow her on LinkedIn and ask her any questions regarding HR.
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