Joseph Bryson works in freelance writing. Born in Alberta and raised in New York City, he now lives in New Zealand, where he leads a peaceful life with his family and a whole pack of dogs. He has worked in four different industries and helped numerous businesses grow. Now, he is focused on writing as his next career, interested in topics from wanderlust to homesickness. Read his article for more about the pros and cons of expat life.
On the surface, the prospect of living as an expat is an appealing one. There are, of course, those who are happy and settled in their home countries, but most people do see living and working abroad as an exciting opportunity. It’s not something that everyone can afford or will eventually find themselves in the right position to do, which is why many remain in the country where they were born. We all have wanderlust to some degree though, or at least lust after a change of scenery at some point, which is why living as an expat seems so tempting. The reality of it is quite a different story, however.
Yes, you can view it in very simple terms and say it’s like going on an extended holiday to experience another country and another culture, and that all sounds great, but there is always another side. It is a complete lifestyle change, and not necessarily always for the better. You need to be aware of how significantly your life will be altered if you choose to become an expat and what the advantages and disadvantages are.
The question that we’re posing here is whether living as an expat is a blessing or a horror, and the truth is that it can be either – or both – depending on your perspective. Let’s look at a few of the reasons why it might fall into either category.
Blessing: Seeing the world
This is the first and most obvious advantage of living as an expat. You’re going somewhere completely new. It’s an opportunity to experience a new environment, learn about a different culture and maybe even pick up a new language.
The value of this cannot be understated. Expats can get a greater understanding of humanity by being around people who were raised in circumstances that are alien to their own. You may also realise that you prefer it. Even if you were happy in your home country, there could have been something missing from your life that you were unaware of – and you might just find it in your new home. A different country can be life-altering for some.
Horror: Homesickness
Make no mistake about it, homesickness is very real. And it’s not just some mild longing for home that’s easily overcome, homesickness can be brutal and debilitating, and can ruin what could have been a great experience.
It makes sense if you think about it. Everything that an expat has ever known has been left behind. Family, friends, surroundings; even if you weren’t particularly happy at home, homesickness can still get you because your life has been inexorably altered. You were in a routine, you knew what you were doing and where everything was, and you had established relationships, whether they were good or bad. Taking yourself out of that can throw your mind and body into disarray.
Homesickness can hit an expat at any age and for some people, it lasts a long, long time. For some, home truly is where the heart is.
Blessing: More desirable economies abroad
You may not be in the ideal economic set-up where you are right now. But, by moving around, you may be able to find an expat destination where more money can be made and saved, depending on the kind of work you do.
Expats from a Western country who want to teach English as a second language, will profit in a place such as China or Japan, where there is significantly more demand for it. Or, as a freelancer, certain countries offer tax benefits which you might not get in your home country.
Various industries blossom in some places and not others. Whatever your calling is, by doing research, you will find the best expat destination based on its cost of living and work opportunities.
Horror: Paperwork
I’m using the word paperwork as more of a blanket term for the general number of hoops to jump through to set yourself up as both a resident and someone working abroad.
It’s more difficult in some places than others. For example, expats born in the European Union (EU) will face few struggles in relocating to another EU country. But, when moving to the United States (from most countries), getting your hands on a visa or green card is not always easy. While it’s possible to live and work basically anywhere, it might not be worth the trouble for some.
In sum, it’s important to acknowledge the fact that being an expat is not a holiday. Expats still have to work, and after a while, the novelty of a new place will likely wear off. This doesn’t mean you won’t love your new home anymore, but it will just become a new norm.
There are still many good reasons to live as an expat, it’s just important to remember that you’re trying to build a stable life for yourself and that involves a lot of hard work.
