The Expat Life: Tough Assignments

Posted on 25. Oct, 2008 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life, Musings & Inspiration, Relocation
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Talk about tough assignments with non-expats, and most people will picture war-torn countries, rampant violent crime or rough living conditions.

However, you may find that even the most paradisiac location can prove difficult if you are having a hard time adjusting. When you are feeling homesick, isolated and overwhelmed, it does not matter where you are; it is tough, period.

To make matters worse, friends and family back home may or may not be as supportive when you relocate to a “desirable” location. Your worries and frustrations may be dismissed with a “Oh come on, I would give anything to be able to spend three years in Italy. What are you complaining about?”

Many of my expat clients cannot help but feel let down and confused when they hear such comments. Are they the only ones who don’t love the place? Are they being too picky? Too sensitive? Is something wrong with them?

If this sounds familiar, let me take a moment to acknowledge your feelings and assure you that you are not the only ones in this situation- not by far!

Western Europe or North America may not qualify for danger pay, but moving there still means going through a tremendous number of changes, big and small. There is still a culture shock to overcome- even for supposedly smooth transitions such as moving from the US to Canada.
I would even argue that transitioning to a very similar culture can give you a false sense of security that may actually make things more difficult. But this is a subject for another post.

Honour your feelings. Don’t beat yourself up when you are going through a rough patch. Know that your doubts, your frustrations and your occasional bouts of the expat blues are a normal part of living abroad.

If you are not getting all the support you need from your friends and family, find an expat group near you. Other expatriates have gone through the same experiences and will lend you an understanding ear.
An expat coach can also help you come to terms with your feelings and arm you with coping strategies for the future. If you do not speak the local language, consider hiring a professional from your home country and work with them by phone or email.

What was your most difficult international assignment? What was hardest about it? What ways did you find to cope with the hardships?

Emmanuelle