Working Abroad Survival Guide - How to Happily Work and Live Abroad

The desire to work abroad comes from many places. Perhaps it spawned from an amazing vacation with the desire to stay longer. Or maybe it is the result of a job that is isn't meeting your needs. Or simply good timing; the product of a college graduation or retirement. More often than not it can be any number of practical reasons coupled with the abstract desire to see and experience new things. Thousands of people each year pursue working abroad opportunities - paid and volunteer jobs. Some choose a neighboring country, picking an ideal season to make some money and live in a new location, while others move to a country further away. Regardless of the reason, all of these choices have something in common and all of these reasons spark a change that means uprooting ones life and starting in on another.The decision is by no means easy, nor is the action of picking up and leaving it all behind. In fact, making the decision to move overseas in the first place is one of the hardest decisions of all. So Kudos to you, you did it! You're on your way to one of the greatest experiences in your life. What's next? Sadly, the decision-making and planning doesn't stop after the choice to move abroad. In fact, taking the time to consider a few key aspects of your move will help to ensure that you have the most successful and fulfilling experience abroad as possible.Location, Location, LocationCountry Mouse or City Mouse? Looking to break into a social scene or enjoy the tranquil hills of a quieter locale? Maybe you want to learn a language and envision yourself enjoying the sun on white-sand beaches. Are you heading far away or staying closer to home? Narrowing down your location is a valuable aspect of your work abroad experience. After all, if you're going to be working there, it means you'll be living there and living in an environment you like and enjoy is an important aspect of your happiness. Or maybe that's exactly the point.You've always lived in a larger city and want some time to reflect in the mountains. Pinpointing what you plan to get out of the location you choose is a major issue when moving elsewhere. Some people desire the challenge of a new location while others have narrower criteria, like a beach within walking distance for instance. Sometimes location is a product of other desires. For instance someone who wants to teach English and save money may choose Asia over Europe while a person who wants to learn Spanish and desires a country that will afford them cheaper living, may choose South America. Whatever the underlying goals are for your work abroad experience thinking clearly about your location and what it will afford you while you're abroad is an important decision to consider. It can make the difference.Goals for Your Working Abroad AdventureWhile maybe you're abandoning your previous five-year plan it is important to keep your new goals in mind. Taking the time to consider what other aspects of working abroad you hope to achieve is valuable before the big move. For many, the answer isn't as concrete as it is for some. Many people choose a seasonal location to experience a different atmosphere. Meeting some new people and enjoying a little change is sometimes as much as some people are after. The money isn't bad either for resort or ski-lodge jobs where there are a large number of hours to work and money to be made. Lets not forget the added bonus of having it all nestled in a gorgeous location close to happy vacationers. This type of work abroad experience is an excellent way to freshen up a dull summer and to make some money in the process. Resort jobs in Europe offer the promise of easy travel to neighboring countries and cruise ship jobs are likely to extend longer than just one season. For those who enjoy open seas, long summers and considerable paychecks each month a job such as this is nothing less than a dream come true.For persons who are moving further away and for a longer period of time however, working abroad can simply be the means by which they can remain overseas. Cash is king for the young expatriate and a job is often nothing more than making enough money for them to stay and enjoy their chosen location. For this type of individual their goals probably transcend a seasonal change of pace and are more likely to include learning a new language, immersing in a different culture, seeing a different part of the world or gaining experiences useful for a career or educational path. Thousands of people choose an over seas job allowing them the opportunity to boost resumes, meet local people, reach personal goals and most importantly, remain abroad without the hassle of worrying over money. This makes working abroad one of the most ideal scenarios for an expatriate living in a foreign country because it offers a solution to financial problems and functions as a forum to meet personal and travel goals.The Good & Bad of Living AbroadAlong with meeting people local to the country, expatriates typically have a large group of English speaking friends. This is because working abroad in foreign countries to learn languages and to experience different cultures is becoming a booming trend. Groups of expatriates are usually tight nit groups. And it makes sense why. For anyone living abroad the experience can be daunting, alienating and a bit lonely. Learning a new language is difficult and can be frustrating. Having a group of people who not only share the same cultural background but also who speak your native language is an enormous comfort to the downfalls of expatriate living. Most expatriates agree however, that the best way to gain confidence in a foreign country is immersion. It is often all too easy to rely on English speaking friends who can relate to you culturally for comfort. Keeping your goals in mind and your desire to experience different customs is sometimes the hardest and most rewarding part of living abroad. Moving out of your comfort zone and expanding past an immediate group of expatriate friends is a valuable thing to consider about what you're hoping to achieve in the bigger picture of your work abroad experience.Besides cultural and language differences, expatriates find themselves away from home with bank accounts that need a boost. It isn't uncommon then for many people working abroad to settle for a job slightly less than desirable. As with most things worth doing, living abroad isn't easy and sometimes teaching English or cold calling doesn't rank high on peoples lists of desirable work. However, the pros of living abroad almost certainly outweigh the cons of the job and the work experience usually turns into a valuable experience and one that almost every expatriate was happy to choose.

Regardless of where you end up working abroad, your specific goals, or how prepared you are to handle adversity, you will definitely make memories to last a lifetime. Lisa Jenkins writes about cool jobs and careers for JobMonkey. Find out from Jenkins about volunteering abroad opportunities as well as reputable placement programs worldwide.