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Last Updated on April 11, 2025
The United Nations reported that over 3% of the world’s population is now living and working abroad, and the numbers continue to grow. As finding a job in one’s own country becomes more difficult due to the lack of work and rising competition for each post, it’s little wonder that finding work overseas has become quite fashionable. Chances are, you already know somebody within your family or friendship group that has already left your fair isles, and jetted off to another country to begin a new life, on a short-term or a lifelong basis.
Is working abroad right for you? On this site, we have shown you it is possible to move abroad, but you should take a step back before getting on the plane.
Tweet ThisThe question you may be asking yourself, however, is this. Is working abroad right for you? On this site, we have shown you it is possible to move abroad, but you should take a step back before getting on the plane. To help you make the right decision, we have listed some of the pros and cons that you might find helpful. So before you pack your bags, read on to find out more.
Pros
Transferable job skills
While there are some jobs that are exclusive to working abroad, it is also relatively easy to continue your career in another country. Whatever your destination, have a look online and check out their
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New Experiences
The reason people visit other countries on holiday is to gain new experiences from the culture on offer. If this is something that appeals to you, working and living abroad may be a life-changing opportunity you don’t want to miss out on. You will gain knowledge from different working practices that you could take back to your own country. There will also be the chance to explore the place you are living in, take part in local customs, try new foods, and enjoy a different style of living.
Learning a new language
English isn’t the only language in the world, though it is spoken in many foreign countries. However, you can’t guarantee that everybody will speak your lingo so you should make an effort to learn the languages predominant in the country you intend to work. This will make your life much easier when you arrive, as you will need to communicate with your colleagues, as well as the local populace. This will take effort on your part, but you will improve your employability in the long term and learn something new to boot.
Foreign currencies
You may be able to earn more money in your job when working away from home. If you are currently deciding on a possible destination for employment, we recommend you use this currency converter to help you understand how the value of your money will change in another country. If you are driven by money, it makes sense to go where you are likely to earn more. Of course, the value will revert back to your current currency if you return home, but you may be able to make a substantial difference to your bank balance in the meantime.
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Meet new people
By moving abroad, you will automatically expand your social circle. You will understandably be overwhelmed at first by the sea of new faces that surround you, but provided you have bothered to learn the language, you will strike up new personal and professional relationships. As in most social situations, it will take time to get yourself known, but you won’t always be a stranger in a strange land if you take the time to meet the people around you. You will gain some valuable life and work lessons as a result.
work-life balance
Are you dragged down by long hours, with little time to relax and enjoy life? Then moving to another country may be just what you need. There are countries that may have a better work-life balance than your own, with shorter working weeks, and a better priority for personal and family time. Life is too short to always be at work, so escape the daily grind by taking time to enjoy life’s other pleasures by choosing the right place to live.
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Add to your resume
It doesn’t matter if you work abroad for a short or a long time, you will still add weight to your resume. Future employers will be impressed by your international travels and may be keen to learn from your experiences in another country and workplace. Should you return to your own country, you will surely stand out from the crowd of other job applicants when you can evidence a broader mind and understanding of the international job market.
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Learn new skills
Whatever job you are involved in, you will gain new skills in the way you work. Methods of working may also be different, and it may be that you learn better ways to be productive in your chosen field. Learning new skills is invaluable for all aspects of life, especially when it comes to your career. By developing in your chosen field abroad, you will not only improve your employability, but you will stand a greater chance of promotion if you return to a company you have already worked for should you head back home.
Cons
Loneliness
Moving to a foreign land has many advantages as we have seen, but for a while, you may feel out of place. Yes, you will make some new friendships, but you will still miss your friends back home. While you can keep in touch through phone calls and Skype, it just isn’t the same as popping over to their house for a chat or having a shoulder to cry on. Should you be moving alone, with no family to support you, it will be an even lonelier experience. Eventually, you will start to feel positive, but the first few months will be the hardest.
Culture shock
learning a new culture is a great experience, but it will take time to become accustomed to your new surroundings. Every culture has its own belief system, values, and attitudes. You are going to have to accept this, as people won’t necessarily bend to your western lifestyle. By entering another country, you need to be prepared to change aspects of your life that have been comfortable for you in the past. You should also be aware of countries with strict laws, as what is acceptable behavior in your own country, maybe severely frowned upon somewhere else. The clue here is to do your research. Entering a country blindly and with ignorance is not going to serve you well.
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Communication barrier
It isn’t easy to learn a new language, so if you struggle to know the lingo, you are going to have major difficulties with communication. Over time, and with a lot of effort on your part, this will get easier. However, if learning a new language is a struggle for you, it will make your day-to-day life in another country very difficult, both in and out of work.
Financial problems
For starters, you should have some money saved up before you move abroad. Even if you already have a job lined up, you are still going to need to find somewhere to live. There is also no guarantee that the job will pay more than your current
Personal safety
Not all countries are safe to live in, on a small and global scale. For starters, unless your career dictates it, you probably shouldn’t move to a country that is stricken by war and violence. Then consider your position in a new land. You will be unfamiliar with the location at first, and you will stand out like a sore thumb to anybody interested in fleecing a newcomer. We recommend you read these safety tips before you head out on your journey, as it is better to be safe than sorry.
Decision time
So, we hope we have given you enough information to help you make the right decision. Moving and working abroad is not something to be taken lightly, and you should think carefully before uprooting your life completely and heading off to a new country, climate, and culture. Remember too, that there are people who love you. They also need to be prepared for your possible move, and you should consider whether you are willing to leave them behind. However, those who do care for you should also support you in your decision, and working abroad, even for a short term, maybe a fantastic opportunity for you. Ultimately, this is your life, and we wish you every success in whatever you decide to do.
The Expert Expat is essential reading for anyone moving overseas. Personal stories - from the authors' dozens of years abroad as well as the experience of countless expats worldwide - help prepare people for the exhilarating and daunting task of establishing a life far from home.
Joey Trebif is the pen name of Mark Fiebert, a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
