Comments on: Living and Working Abroad — Why Not?

By: Daniel Fleek

Daniel Fleek — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:44:14 +0000

I scored a 35 which is a “Go for it” outcome which I agree with. In fact, in a perfect world, I would be willing to move to the coast of a tropical country like Australia in a heartbeat. However, I don’t know if China is exactly my idea place to live, but I haven’t been there yet so maybe I’ll find it better than I expect. I read a story on Stephon Marbury who used to have major attitude problems playing on the NBA. I would have never guessed that he would move to China and was even more surprised when I read that he doesn’t want to come back to the US because he likes it in China better. To a person like him, I would want to ask what is it about China that makes him so comfortable. Also, I’d like to know how he has adjusted to the language. Finally, if I were to move to China, one of the main questions I would ask is where can I find good food. If my career sends me somewhere foreign, I need to at least know I have access to good food. In terms of career oriented questions, I’d like to know what advantages they have felt in their careers from living abroad and whether they felt it was worth it compared to accepting a position in the US.

By: Keith Cody

Keith Cody — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:15:47 +0000

I scored a 38 (48 if you count speaking the local language) — That’s a Go For It. We’ll see were this takes me. I’ve been to more than half the states and every country inNorth America, plus Australia. China could be an adventure.

I can’t wait to talk to ex-Pats about living there. One thing about moving to a poorer country, you may never move back. The say the same thing about California, once you leave, you’ll never come back. Midwest ex-Pats in California always talk about how great the Midwest is, but they don’t move back. I drink the California-aide. It’s the prettiest state with the most going for it. And the future is bright for our kids, our population and income is declining, homes will be more affordable in the future. But jobs will be harder to come by.

I was worried about what I would do with my fiance if I moved to china, but Ben’s interview fixed all that. My fiance is an anthropologist and a designer. Now all I need to do is work on my guanxi and get her a job with Ben’s firm.

I wonder if there is any place in China that compares to Santa Barbara, because Santa Barbara truly is paradise.

By: Ashley Tyra

Ashley Tyra — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:29:15 +0000

The idea of living and working abroad has always been intriguing to me. I think it would be a fun and worth while adventure. On the questionnaire I scored, “GO FOR IT! You have what it takes!” Living abroad at some point is something I would love to do, where and when are still the main questions. A great way to have a successful time abroad is to keep this quote from Ben in mind: “Go with an open mind. Don’t expect anything or take anything for granted. If you stick to this, everything else will come much easier.”

Some questions I would like to ask while we are visiting expats in China:

What were some of your fears going into this? Did those fears go away, and if so, when?

What is your favorite part about living abroad?

How did you discover local places/events and do you go to them often?

At what point did you stop feeling like a tourist and start feeling like you knew your way around?

What is your biggest piece of advice for someone moving to a foreign country?

By: Fred S.

Fred S. — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 04:38:29 +0000

I got a “Go for it” on the questionnaire score, likely because I have been living all over the place for most of my adult career. When I was racing bicycles, I basically lived in a new place every week. In fact you, could say I didn’t really have a home, because sometimes I didn’t! Most of this living was in America, though, and it was easy because there are many consistencies you can find across the country. I am sure many of these consistencies may not exist in China, and it will be interesting to see the differences.
The main thing that I would want to ask the expats in China would be about their lives outside of work. I would want to know how the social assimilation was. Is it easy to make friends? If they are single or had a family I’m sure the questions would differ. For the family, I would want to know about the kids and wife, and what opportunities exist for them. How is the youth of China, and the education system? And most of all, I would want to know if I can still do the activities that keep me sane like exercise such as being able to ride my bike or ski. And how is the work culture- does work become you’re life?

By: Jeffrey Brown

Jeffrey Brown — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:10:14 +0000

My questionnaire score was 33, interesting considering I’ve never really been out of the country before (though there were no questions on prior experience, as far as I can remember).

Some questions for ex-pats would be:
- In regards to living abroad, what has been the biggest challenge for you?
- What was your motivation for pursuing this in your career?
- Do you still feel like an outsider living in China, or have you essentially become one of them?
- How has living in China changed your viewpoints of culture, business, and life in general?
- How often do you return to the United States? How long do you stay, and what do you do when there?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Where did you see yourself 5 years ago?

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:45:09 +0000

I scored 37, but since I have lived overseas twice as an expat, the test may not be as accurate since I may not have scored that high before I left the US the first time. Because I have done so, I have less apprehension with the challenges that one would face, although each region and culture would have their own unique set of challenges.

For expats living in Asia, I’d like to compare their expat experiences with my own asking questions such as?

Tell me about the prejudices that the locals have about you that you have or need to overcome?
How have you had to “stretch” when it comes to ethical issues like honesty and fairness?
Tell me about the “honeymoon” phase, when it wore off, and the challenges early on relative to longterm.
What are your greatest regrets?
What could you change if you had to do the process over again?

I’m sure I could think of more, but that is where I would start.

By: Charles Dornbush

Charles Dornbush — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:14:40 +0000

I scored a 32 on the questionnaire, suggesting that I might be successful as an expat. I have never seriously considered living in a foreign country for more than the short-term (a year or less). Some questions I would like to ask expats are:

What were your biggest fears about living abroad?
How did you get over your initial fears of leaving the U.S.?
Do you have any regrets about leaving the U.S.?
What’s the one biggest experience you have had abroad that you couldn’t have had in the U.S.?
Did you have any problems fitting into the foreign culture and how did you overcome them?
What is your favorite thing about living abroad?
What do you miss the most about the U.S.?

By: Georgia

Georgia — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:30:23 +0000

I scored a 34 which is teetering on the edge of being successful. I have thought about working abroad and although its not my first choice, but I would be up for it given the right circumstances. My main issue is that my significant other is getting his credentials to become a teacher, which is only good in California. I think I would want to ask the expats if they were in a relationship when they crossed the ocean how they dealt with it. It was interesting reading Ben’s blog. A family friend moved to China to teach English and he has conveyed some of the same descriptions. I wonder if it is as easy to get a nonteaching job.
Personally, I think the most important quality to have is the “spirit of adventure,” because as good as your job can be if you are not eager to learn about your new surroundings the experience will be lost.

By: Kevin K.

Kevin K. — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:43:58 +0000

My main questions to expats abroad concern the job acquisition process. Namely how did you get the job in China or anywhere else outside the United States for that matter. What the interview and application process is like and learning what to expect would help someone like me who is completely willing to venture outside of the US when it comes to landing a job — I got a “Go For It” on the living and working abroad questionnaire, so why not, if I have the opportunity, do just that and go for it. Also, any information regarding the initial language barrier would also be an asset to know.

The living in China expat article and interview questions has some great information and features questions that I had not thought of before, including the difficulty in getting a working visa. A quote from these interviews that we could all keep in mind before going on this trip together is this: “Go with an open mind. Don’t expect anything or take anything for granted. If you stick to this, everything else will come much easier.” Although I do love the delicious “California Koolaid” and love living here, going on this trip with an open mind — with the possibility of staying longer — I believe is essential.

By: Vladimir

Vladimir — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:06:30 +0000

I haven’t really considered being an expat before. I thought about living in other states, but not other countries. Right now I’m looking forward to working in the US after graduation. My plans over the next few years fit better with living in America. If the right opportunity comes up, I may consider moving to another country in the future. Lifestyle and hobbies are important factors for me, so a business opportunity is not enough to get me to make the move. In the coming years, I anticipate a number of changes, starting a family being one of them. Moving to another country would have to take a back seat for now. While Ben Ross wanted “to experience a lifestyle completely different from my cushy life in the ‘burbs ”, to me experiencing a different lifestyle means changing my activities, not necessarily my environment. There are so many things to do here. I can learn to surf, to play the guitar, to do acrobatics, to cook way better than I presently can. That said, I would like to travel more outside the country, to get a sample of life elsewhere. And I really enjoyed my last job where I travelled around the country. I scored 36 on the questionnaire.

The above are some great questions to ask an expat. I would add: How are the opportunities for doing hobby x,y,z in the country? How do the locals treat you? How does the country view the US? What have you learned as a result of the experience? Would you recommend the experience for those in field x?