assignment - Expat Network

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Impact Of Taking On An International Assignment On Mental Health

A major new piece of research* by AXA Global Healthcare has shed light on the impact that working on an international business assignment has upon mental health. Of the 500 international workers who were surveyed in seven different countries, just one-in-ten (10%) said that working abroad has had a negative impact on their mental health....

Help A Study Into Expat Assignment Failure

Lili Castille approached us to promote her study looking into the factors that impact on adjusting to a new culture and the causes expat assignee failure. This is an opportunity to share your experience as an expat to help this study. Here she sets out the background. Hello! I’m Lili Castille, a multicultural polyglot and...

Expat Work Assignments Expected To Grow

Business leaders still view an international mobile workforce as key to meeting their strategic objectives, according to new research by global mobility specialists, Santa Fe Relocation Services. This is despite mounting concerns around immigration and an increasingly uncertain geopolitical climate following changes implemented by the new US administration and the anticipated impact of Brexit. Santa...

Downtime In Africa

If your expat assignment takes you to Africa, why not travel to these recommended places in your time off? Get away from your work assignment and truly explore your new environment, its culture and unique sights. Marrakech, Morocco The Travellers’ Choice #1 Destination in the world, Marrakech is a magical place, brimming with markets, gardens,...

Downtime in the USA

If your expat assignment takes you to USA, why not travel to these recommended places in your time off? Get away from your work assignment and truly explore your new environment, its culture and unique sights. Charleston, South Carolina Charleston is known for great food (you won’t find better grits – ground-corn porridge – on...

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.