Most people have an answer to this. This is why the most fundamental question to ask yourself before even looking at the pros and cons remains is: is working abroad right for me?
The first thing that should come to mind is the emphasis on yourself. It’s sort of a given, and rightfully so, that considering to work abroad is a time in your life where you matter the most. Therefore, what is best for you is much greater than what may be good for your family, or friends.
This is why for most people, working abroad is generally seen as something to do in your 20s. Before the likelihood of a spouse and kids may enter the picture. However, everyone’s situation is different. And that doesn’t mean that working abroad in your 30s and beyond is the wrong choice.
In terms of considering working abroad for your own best interests, you can break this down into two categories: Personal development and career aspirations. Let’s analyse these areas to help you decide whether working abroad it right for you.
Considering personal development
It’s very common for people to travel to ‘find themselves’. This is a popular expressions people use to rationalise going abroad. Usually after something defining has happened in a person’s life.
But working abroad takes travelling to the next level. After all, it requires fully immersing yourself in a new country and culture. And there are plenty of benefits from this that aid your personal development.
If you haven’t been in new cultures before, then you will certainly benefit on a personal level from working in a foreign country. It also may be a stepping stone to leave the nest and live on your own. In turn, this will grant you more independence, both in terms of making your own rules and being able to do things on your own such as laundry and cooking.
Working abroad may also force you to learn a new language and witness different ways of life that put your own personal habits and convictions to the test. It will force you to consider what you’re passionate about, and have a greater perspective on what is right and wrong, whether it be of a metaphysical nature or simply cultural customs and routines, such as what time to eat dinner and interpersonal communication with others.
In addition, working abroad will also force you to meet new people and develop friendships with others – this often starts with your colleagues. If personal development is the most important thing in your life, working abroad could be good idea as you can expect to gain a host of experiences that will challenge and change you for the better.
Are you sacrificing career aspirations?
A grey area arises when you’re sacrificing career aspirations for personal development.
It’s almost impossible for it to be the other way around, unless of course your reliance on family, friends, and specialists/institutions are key for your personal development.
A general rule is that the younger you are, the more likely you can afford to put off your career aspirations. What working abroad will do though is certainly reassure you that you still want to aspire to whatever career you’ve been discerning, or the true colours of a misfit or uncertainty will become known – which is a very good thing.
It’s not a good idea to sacrifice career aspirations on a large scale just to work abroad. You can work on personal development within the confines of where you currently live if necessary rather than burden yourself by working abroad.
Without a doubt, many people decide to pursue working abroad in order to travel more. In the English speaking world, it’s very popular to go abroad to teach English, a skill that you obtain at birth.
It’s not a bad thing.
In fact, it’s an objectively good decision if you are even a little bit on the fence about your career aspirations if you have any, as well as the personal development that will go along with this. What’s certain is that anyone coming back home from working abroad will be more cultured, and likely a better, more open-minded person.
Following a career path
In terms of specific advice, it’s a good idea to travel, provided you have the right mind-set.
Technically, you don’t need to have a career. After all, you can go from job to job in different fields if you’re qualified.
But this article is focused on what is right for you. How can you become the best version of yourself? How can you give back to the world with your skillset and expertise?
Because that’s ultimately what a good career is aimed toward. Whether it’s developing software for an app, or being the communications director of a multinational company. You’re serving the world, hopefully for the better.
Therefore, travelling for the sake of travelling does not help answer the question of whether working abroad is right for you. It does however, answer ‘yes’ to that question if the individual is searching for something they love that they can form into a career.
This is because travelling can provide so many vast and different experiences that could connect to a career, and perhaps change your mind about a career you had previously seen yourself in down the road.
Considering your career aspirations
Personal development and career aspirations certainly go hand in hand. However, your job may be better served in a different country that values your career more, or you simply earn a lot more money.
If nothing is holding you back, go for it! It’s probably a once in a lifetime opportunity especially if you’re thinking of settling down in the future. Maybe in five years you’ll want to come back home to be closer to family, but if working abroad will help you climb the corporate ladder and perhaps save you a lot of money – it’s hard to say no and without reservation.
Is further education right for you?
One final piece of creative advice on the topic is the following. If you have the credentials for working abroad, such as teaching English as an English speaker without a degree, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to do so before obtaining a degree.
It only makes sense to pursue a degree in university or college if you’re actually confident about the programme and career. It’s a lot of money and time that you could use to get to know what you really want to establish as a career.
Working abroad
Remember, asking yourself if working abroad is right for you is way more important than a simple weighing of pros and cons. More importantly, it will help authenticate your pros and cons once you’ve been able to answer that question. Once you decide it’s right for you, you can start in just a click!
About the author: Matthew is a freelance journalist from Montreal, Canada, currently teaching English full-time in Ishinomaki, Japan until April 2018. After that he plans to travel throughout the summer and pursue a Master’s degree in Theological studies where he plans to establish himself as an journalistic expert on matters of religion in the public sphere.
