Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live and work in a different country, culture, and environment? Have you ever dreamed of expanding your horizons, learning new skills, and meeting new people? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might want to consider becoming an expat at some point in your career.

An expat, short for expatriate, is someone who lives outside their native country, usually for work or personal reasons. According to the Expat Insider 2020 survey, there are more than 58 million expats around the world, and about 14% of them are from Asia. Expats come from all walks of life, backgrounds, and professions, and they have different motivations and goals for moving abroad.

But why should Asians, in particular, try to be an expat at some point in their career? What are the benefits and challenges of living and working in a foreign country, especially in the West? How can expat experience help Asians advance their careers and personal growth? To answer these questions, we spoke to two Asian expats who shared their stories, insights, and advice with us. Meet Grace and Kevin, two successful and happy expats who have made the most of their expat journeys.

Grace: From Taipei to London

Grace is a 32-year-old HR manager who works for a global consulting firm in London. She moved to the UK four years ago, after getting a job offer from her company. She had always wanted to live in Europe, and she saw this as a great opportunity to fulfill her dream and advance her career.

“I love living in London. It’s such a vibrant and diverse city, with so much to see and do. I enjoy the culture, the history, the art, and the food. I also love traveling around Europe and exploring different countries and cultures. It’s been an amazing experience for me, both personally and professionally.”

Grace says that living and working in London has helped her improve her English skills, her intercultural communication, and her adaptability. She also says that being an expat has given her a broader perspective on the world and on herself.

“I think being an expat has made me more open-minded, curious, and confident. I’ve learned a lot from working with people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and styles. I’ve also learned a lot about myself, my strengths, and my areas for improvement. I think these are valuable skills and qualities for any HR professional, especially in a global context.”

Grace admits that being an expat is not always easy. She says that she faced some challenges and difficulties when she first moved to London, such as finding a place to live, adjusting to the weather, and dealing with homesickness. She also says that she sometimes encountered some stereotypes and prejudices about Asians, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Being an Asian expat in the West can be challenging at times. You might face some discrimination, ignorance, or hostility from some people. You might also feel like you don’t belong or fit in. But I think these are also opportunities to educate, to connect, and to overcome. I try to be positive, respectful, and assertive. I also try to find a balance between maintaining my Asian identity and culture, and integrating into the local society and culture. I think that’s the key to being a successful and happy expat.”

Grace’s advice to other Asians who want to be an expat is to be prepared, be flexible, and be adventurous. She says that doing some research, planning, and networking before moving abroad can help ease the transition and avoid some pitfalls. She also says that being open to new experiences, challenges, and opportunities can help enrich the expat life and career.

“Being an expat is a rewarding and exciting journey, but it’s also a challenging and demanding one. You have to be ready to face some difficulties, uncertainties, and changes. But you also have to be willing to embrace some possibilities, learnings, and growth. I think being an expat is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I would encourage other Asians to try it too.”

Kevin: From Singapore to Toronto

Kevin is a 28-year-old financial analyst who works for a multinational bank in Toronto. He moved to Canada two years ago, after getting a scholarship to pursue his MBA at a prestigious university. He had always been interested in finance and business, and he wanted to gain some international exposure and experience.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the global financial markets and how they affect the world economy and society. I wanted to learn more about the theories, practices, and trends of finance and business in a different context and environment. I also wanted to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone. That’s why I decided to move to Canada and pursue my MBA there.”

Kevin says that living and working in Toronto has helped him develop his analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills, as well as his leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. He also says that being an expat has given him a competitive edge and a unique value proposition in the job market.

“I think being an expat has made me more skilled, knowledgeable, and innovative. I’ve gained a lot of insights and experience from studying and working with some of the best professors, classmates, and colleagues in the world. I’ve also learned how to adapt to different situations, expectations, and standards. I think these are essential skills and competencies for any financial professional, especially in a dynamic and complex industry.”

Kevin admits that being an expat is not always fun. He says that he faced some obstacles and pressures when he first moved to Toronto, such as coping with the academic workload, finding a part-time job, and making new friends. He also says that he sometimes struggled with some cultural and linguistic differences and barriers, especially in the workplace.

“Being an Asian expat in the West can be stressful and frustrating at times. You might face some challenges, misunderstandings, or conflicts with some people. You might also feel like you have to work harder or prove yourself more than others. But I think these are also opportunities to improve, to collaborate, and to excel. I try to be proactive, cooperative, and professional. I also try to find a balance between respecting the local culture and norms, and expressing my own opinions and values. I think that’s the key to being a productive and respected expat.”

Kevin’s advice to other Asians who want to be an expat is to be curious, be ambitious, and be resilient. He says that doing some self-reflection, goal-setting, and action-taking before moving abroad can help achieve the desired outcomes and satisfaction. He also says that being eager to learn, grow, and contribute can help enhance the expat life and career.

“Being an expat is a challenging and rewarding journey, but it’s also a fulfilling and empowering one. You have to be ready to overcome some hardships, risks, and failures. But you also have to be willing to seize some opportunities, achievements, and successes. I think being an expat is one of the best opportunities I’ve ever had, and I would recommend other Asians to try it too.”

The Bottom Line

As you can see from Grace and Kevin’s stories, being an expat can be a life-changing and career-boosting experience for Asians. It can help them learn new skills, gain new perspectives, and meet new people. It can also help them become more attractive to employers, more aware of global issues, and more creative and critical thinkers. Of course, being an expat also comes with some challenges and difficulties, such as adapting to a new culture, dealing with some stereotypes, and finding a sense of belonging. But these can also be overcome with some preparation, flexibility, and positivity.

If you’re an Asian who wants to try to be an expat at some point in your career, we hope this article has given you some inspiration, information, and motivation. We also hope that you’ll share your own expat stories, insights, and advice with us and our readers. Remember, being an expat is not only a way to live and work in a different country, but also a way to discover and develop yourself. So, what are you waiting for? Start your expat journey today, and see where it takes you. #Expat #AsiaRising #Career #PersonalGrowth