HSBC Expat Experience Report

Posted on 10. Mar, 2009 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life
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The third and last report on the 2008 Expat Explorer Survey is Expat Experience. This report “examines the challenges faced by individuals relocating to a new country. The survey looked at cultural and social differences and how they make a difference to ease of integration.”

As always, I am more interested in the qualitative aspect, i.e. the criteria used and the questions asked, than in the final ranking of host countries. If you would like to read the detailed report, you can find it here.
Short version of the findings: if you want to get married to a local, move to Germany; if you want to make local friends, come to Canada, we are waiting for you!

I thought that the themes covered in this report were particularly interesting, as they directly relate to expat happiness. The criteria used were:

– Making local friends
– Joining a community group
– Learning the local language
– Buying property in the host country

In other words, successful integration in a new environment depends on four factors:
- Personal interactions/relationships (making friends)
- Contributing or feeling like we belong (joining a group)
- Ability to communicate and interact with the culture (learning the language)
- Commitment and a vision for the future (buying property)

What do you think? Are these the four pillars of expat happiness, or are there other factors that you find more significant?
Looking at your own life, how would you rate your personal satisfaction in each area? If things are not ideal in one area or more, what could you do to improve them?

Emmanuelle

Related post: The Expat Life: HSBC Expat Explorer Survey