If you live abroad you will have your own expat problems and ways of dealing with them, and of course every place in the world comes with its own difficulties. If you live in Abu Dhabi you will encounter different difficulties to expatriates living in Zambia. However, in general, all expats have to deal with the same type of expat problems. You will face issues such as cultural displacement, dislocation from family, isolation and stress, which frequently accompany the experience of living far from home.
Feeling lonely.
The number-one problem facing you is the loss of your personal support networks, and making new friends in a new country is one of the biggest challenges of moving abroad. It can be difficult to leave your family and friends behind. Even if you make new friends, attend social events regularly, and have a good connection with your co-workers, you can still feel very lonely.
Relationship problems
Romantic relationships also suffer as expat life makes having a romantic relationship more difficult. Moving frequently can also impact your relationship patterns, with close friendships or intimate relationships often being (unconsciously) avoided because of the pain of inevitable separation. This can be particularly difficult for children. Regular disruptions or endings of relationships can result in unresolved grief and loss.
Often the issues of identity and loss become key, especially if you frequently relocate: Who am I? Where is home? How do others perceive me? Do I want to fit it, and how can I do that, without losing aspects of my identity, which are important to me?
If you make the move with a spouse or partner you may worry that your partner or family doesn’t seem happy with the decision.
If you are a travelling or accompanying spouse (partner who is not working) you may also face additional issues:
- You have given up a career and suffered from a loss of income. As it is often difficult for a spouse to work abroad, this can result in a loss of identity which can sometimes lead to feelings of low self-esteem and depression
- Your partner is always working long hours and you are left to fend for yourself. It is difficult enough feeling cut off at home at times because you are looking after children in familiar surroundings, but being stuck in a foreign land on your own, with children to look after can feel extremely isolating
- You may feel you are expected to organise all the practical aspects of your life abroad
- You may feel discriminated against because of your gender, an issue far more prevalent among women
- You feel that everyone seems to have it all together except you, so there is a value placed on appearing to be strong, self-reliant
Financial concerns
Employment is one of the major reasons why many expats move overseas – often for a larger pay packet and a larger benefits package which can often put your previous income in the shade. However, very often a larger pay packet and a larger benefits package will be associated with an area of the world where the cost of living may be significantly higher than the country you have just left.
Despite the extra income, you may worry about their future finances. Unsurprisingly, this figure rises when your new country is dealing with economic uncertainty. Access to pension and other investment schemes can be interrupted or compromised when working abroad and is a common financial concern among expats.
Raising children.
Of course one of the biggest concerns for expat parents is the well-being of their children. Where can we find a good school for our children; will our children be able to make friends; do they feel at home in their new country? These are a few of the many concerns that expat parents have. (click here to read more about being a child of an expat – TCK)
Relocation process.
Moving abroad is stressful and you come across problems sooner or later. You have to pack all the things you want to take with you and perhaps sell or store the rest. You have to terminate contracts and you need to prepare for the first few months that you’re there. In short: there is so much you need to think of and you need to do before you move.
Cultural adaptation.
Differences in religion, norms, and values can make cultural adaptation very difficult to achieve at first. Struggling with learning the new language can be daunting, and many expats feel the change in culture was a bigger shock than they had anticipated. (click here to read more about culture shock)
Repatriation
Returning to your country of origin can cause issues around identity and relationships. Life abroad may have had more social or economic privileges and freedoms. Depending on the length of time abroad, changes may have occurred in family, work and friendship circles. You may feel less connected and comfortable around others than before. You may be treated differently and be perceived more of an outsider than as a person that truly belongs.
