Each year as part of the trip, where possible, we try to informally hook you up with a group of expats in China or India for lunch, dinner or appetizers. These are interesting, accomplished and talented people. I want you to be thinking about what types of questions you would like to ask them over a meal if this comes together so that they feel we prepared for a visit with them and we utilize their time effectively. We want to make a great impression on these folks.

For example, why did they become an expat? How did they become one? What are the pros of cons of being an expat? Do they have families and if so what do their families like/dislike about living in China or India? When, if at all, do they plan to return to their home country? Do they comparatively make more money living and working in China/India than than back home and is their standard of living higher in China/India? What, if anything, did they do to prepare for living and working in China/India before they arrived? How are their kids schooled and how much does it cost? Where were their other postings before China/India? Has/will their working in China/India more quickly advance their career than if they had stayed in their home country? These are just a few of the questions you might ask them. Click the “Add Comment” link below and list a few of your own questions you would like ask in order to start to prepare and to get you thinking about this aspect of our trip.

Even if you drink and buy into the Koolaid that California or the West Coast is the be all and end all of working and living and you have no desire to presently become an expat, no problem, but you may one day find that things have changed. None of us know what the future may deal to us. You may find that your hate your future job(s) and want to experience something new and adventurous outside of Cali. Or, you may find yourself working for a firm or a client that sends you overseas (China/India?) on a temporary or full-time assignment that is too good to pass up. And if not you, then consider the very high probability that your kids will one day be in the expat game given the way the global economy is working and developing (and how expensive it has become to live in Cali and how most folks have little desire to move to Iowa for work; the California market can/will only go so deep for our children so why not head to Asia for business?  Through this trip experience you can give your kids some good advice!

For a good chapter on the pros and cons of the expat life in China, see/read Chapter 9, “Living in China,” in China CEO: Voices of Experience From 20 International Business Leaders.

Professor Carr October 4, 2007 Addendum: See also this previous post I did re: Benjamin Ross’ fantastic journey to China and his blog (Ben’s Blog), AND, check out this recent interview of Ben that recently appeared over at the Ex-Pat Interviews blog re: Ben’s working in China.

Professor Carr Janauary 8, 2008 addendum: I just came across this article and questionnaire from TransitionsAbroad.com that helps people size up whether they can hack living and working aboard. It is not terribly scientific, but it touches on the main points — flexibility, adaptability, independent, not a me-me-me person, etc.

Click HERE to check it out and take the 5 minute questionnaire.

How did you score?

Professor Carr July 23, 2008 addendum: Check out this excellent blog post I just came across, To Localize Or Not, That’s The Question. This blog is by a former upper management Sun executive in China who now works at Juniper in the Bay area. Although his post relates more to proven upper management execs who have had success and proven performance in their home market and THEN are sent to China to work for the company along with the solid and attractive financial expat package that can go with it, there are some excellent nuggets in this post that will help and apply to you in your earlier career stage. E.g., the tax info in particular.