Educators committed to preparing their charges for the impacts of globalization would be remiss not to address the career possibilities of expatriation, or becoming an "expat."
Expats, of course refer to that ambitious and intrepid subset of North Americans (note - all countries have expats) who take overseas assignments - whether for a North American company, or in some cases directly with an international employer.
It certainly isn't a lifestlye for the cautious or inflexible. According to my friend Jean McFarland, whose company Fifth Dimensions Strategies tracks expatriate statistics, 40% of expatriates return before completing their assignments, with the #1 reason for failure being the inability to adapt to the host culture. Of expatriates who complete their assignments, 34% do not perform up to expectations of their superiors, and 50% say they underperformed (note - expatriate packages cost a corporation approximately $1 million per year - a big "ouch" when things go wrong.)
So why the buzz? Well the pay and perks can be great... not to mention (depending what country) little extra's like maids, gardeners, chauffers and prodigious leave packages (6-8 weeks of holiday?)... not to mention fascinating "acculturation" for those who enjoy mixing it up in the strange and unfamiliar...and not to mention experience that can pay off handsomely in one's career back home in later years...
Trends in expatriation employment are tiltling more and more towards younger workers, according to research by GMAC Global Relocation Services. Also, the proportion of women undertaking expatriate assignments has risen markedly and more expatriates are going on assignments without their partners.
So, it's a great time for those who are eager, willing and competent to get subsidized for exploring broader latitudes, attidudes and longitudes. bTW, a great resource for global expatriate websites is found at the ezine of Transitions Abroad.
Bon voyage' !
Jun 7, 2008
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