What are motives for emigrating or moving abroad for an extended period of time?

There are always pluses and minuses surrounding emigration or a long stay abroad. It takes an average of four years before emigration plans are realized, according to both research and practice. The first two years are usually an orientation phase, where potential emigrants do online research and visit the country in question whenever possible. In the following two years it is time to make the decisions and take care of all kinds of regulations.

What do you want to achieve in essence?

If you are in the orientation phase, first determine the main purpose of the long stay abroad or emigration for you and your partner and children. What do you or do you want to achieve?

• Keep this main goal in mind; consider at all stages of your preparation, but also regularly after arrival abroad, whether you are still in line with that main goal. Or is it perhaps time to adjust your main goal?
• Underlying motivations, like the main goal, are of course personal. They are also good to identify for yourself and any family members.

To get you started with your personal list, here is a list of the "advantages" that many emigrants mention:

1. the long-awaited adventure: everything will be new, everything will be different.
2. more space, more beautiful or more easily accessible nature.
3. you are closer as a family, you have more time for each other and for the children.
4. less rat race, less career, less wanting more.
5. people in your new environment often give you the benefit of the doubt, because you dare to take the step.
6. more freedom and less hassle to start your own business.

And remember: if it doesn't work out...you can always go back again...

Quote

"Life consists of chapters. Our children were heading toward high school and we were thinking about their and our future in another place. It was searching for the next phase in our lives, with less time in the office and fewer emails. And above all, we wanted to avoid those long gray winters."

Spain emigrant

Several reasons for emigrating, temporarily living and working abroad alone

When you have a partner and/or children, there are a number of additional considerations surrounding the decision “to move abroad or not. Of course the starting point is often to move together with your partner and any children.

In some situations, however, partners decide differently. For example because:

• the country of destination is not safe (enough) for your partner and/or children -> you will have to weigh up whether the country is safe (enough) for you, what risk you are willing to take (together).
• your salary/expected income is not, or not yet, calculated for moving with the entire family; for example, if you plan to run a bed & breakfast or ho(s)tel abroad. You can then jointly choose to first start up the business alone, with your partner continuing to generate income in your home country. As soon as the business is well established and there is sufficient income to generate, your partner and any children will move too.
• your children are at an important stage of their education or there is no good or suitable education available at the new destination.
• your partner has a successful career and has no opportunities to develop it abroad or does not want to give it up.
• you expect different social acceptance: cohabiting or same-sex partners are not considered cohabitants in some countries.
• the period you are going abroad is expected to be of limited duration; for example, if you are being posted by an employer. The disadvantages of a temporary move with partner and children sometimes outweigh the advantages.
• your partner is not allowed to work in the intended new country of residence, or because there are too few (volunteer) work opportunities for a meaningful daytime activity
• the motives or wishes of you, your partner and any children differ too much, or the desire to live abroad is simply not shared.

A survey of HR expat managers from more than four hundred companies worldwide found that 53 percent of employees declined a deployment because of the lack of work opportunities for the partner.

Something to consider in this situation is tax liability.

• Depending on individual circumstances, your income abroad may also be subject to tax in your home country. And that is not always 'fiscally attractive'.
• In particular, the implementers look at “what is the country of residence/living center of your total family.” If your partner continues to work in your original home country, or if your children continue studying there,etc., this original 'home country' may also be considered your center of life. Even though you yourself live abroad.

Quote

"My new partner had been active in Germany for years; first as an intern, later as an independent entrepreneur. My love for him was enough for me to take the step; I quit my job and went after him. Exciting, because I had to give up a lot and in the beginning I didn't know what I would get in return. I started working at the local supermarket; sitting at home is not for me. After legalizing my qualifications at the court, a few months later I was able to join the village nursing home as a nurse."

Germany emigrant

The ideal emigrant

The ideal expat or emigrant...there is obviously no such thing. The competencies of a doctor who is the only non-African working in a small hospital in Eastern Kenya are obviously different from those of a start-up entrepreneur who wants to set up a joint venture in the booming Chinese market.

A list can be compiled of skills and competencies it is nice to have as an expat or emigrant:

• being authentic; staying true to yourself with an open mind towards others and other cultures, awareness of one's own strengths and shortcomings.
• being involved; taking responsibility, being loyal, stimulating the involvement of others.
• be able to communicate; intercultural communication skills: be open to other cultures without prejudice.
• being creative; thinking in terms of solutions, coming up with ideas.
• flexible, willing to adapt; 1) adapt to daily life and general living conditions in other culture 2) adapt to other forms of interaction with people from the host culture 3) adapt to other working conditions.
• empathy; being able to empathize with others, putting oneself aside at appropriate times, dealing with differences, pushing one's own traditions and opinions into the background.
• integrity; being honest, showing respect for others, acting in accordance with generally accepted norms and values of new home and work environment, being discreet.
• be willing and able to learn; be open to new things and experiences.
• to have courage; to dare to take risks, to have charisma.
• be able to network; build up new contacts, take time for meetings or when arranging things, take social initiative.
• to be environmentally aware.
• be able to make balanced judgments; be able to put things into perspective, choose different points of view, stimulate interaction.
• being able to plan and organize.
• be stress resistant; able to deal with setbacks, handle disappointments, put things in perspective and set priorities.
• be result-oriented; have perseverance, be flexible, be able to see the long term.
• can cooperate; be able to work in a team, stop being impatient.
• have self-confidence.

Research shows that the "critical success factors" for many expats and emigrants are concentrated around:

• local language skills.
• belief in own competences.
• interpersonal skills.
• sociability.
• degree of extroversion.
• flexibility.
• emotional stability.
• friendliness.

Previous international (work) experience is not a predictor of successful (work) performance in a new long stay abroad; especially in expats who have moved repeatedly, a degree of "adjustment fatigue" may also occur.  

Quotes

"I had no foreign experience whatsoever. In order to advance with my employer, a multinational corporation, I noticed that foreign experience-unless it was pronounced-was a requirement. Through this employer I wanted to work abroad on my languages, cultural insight, management skills. Get a broader view. With the intention of returning to the Netherlands after a few years."
USA expat

"The most important skill, besides your online work abilities, that a global nomad needs to have is to be able to refocus. Every airport brings a new home and every seaport new faces and friends, and every town new workspace. You are in constant movement and constant adjusting."
Global nomad worker

If you have plans to do business abroad, consider new competencies, or deeper levels of the above competencies:

• the ability to communicate in the business language of your new country of residence.
• entrepreneurial competencies: identifying and seizing opportunities, anticipating, developing a vision, strategic thinking, administrative skills, persistence.
• analysis; making connections, complex analyses.
• creativity; innovating, solution-oriented.
• customer orientation; service orientation, stimulating others to optimize services.
• leadership; coordinating, stimulating, motivating, connecting.
• persuading; predominance, conflict management, negotiating, weighing interests.
• acting professionally; professionalism, showing initiative, excelling.

In addition to the extent to which you possess the above competencies and skills, the following factors, among others, also influence how successful you will be as an emigrant:

• how did you deal with moving earlier in life; did it go relatively easy for you or was it accompanied by many (mental) bumps?
• have you ever changed jobs and how did that make you feel?
• have you had setbacks in your life and how did you deal with them?
• do you generally like change, or do you always avoid it?
• to what extent did you know the country, language and culture beforehand?
• to what extent have you prepared yourself sufficiently for practical and emotional matters?
• to what extent does your partner and/or children have a shared desire to leave?  
• to what extent can your partner also find a job ("dual career")?

A survey among 270 multinationals showed that the dual career desire in particular was an obstacle to the continuation of the posting of an employee abroad.

There are a lot of things to consider when you want to emigrate to another country. Maybe you already have a concrete plan, or know where to find the right information. If that's not the case, don't worry. Here are some tips to help you start your emigration process.

Emigrate: yes or no?

• It can help to get more self-insight; what are your competencies, your character, strong and weak points and what can be obstacles during the emigration process
• Start an emigration diary, blog or website to document your experiences. All this can be useful in the orientation process, but also for later.
• Read the experiences of other emigrants/expats. Visit emigration events, subscribe for emigration magazines or sign up on emigration forums.

Which destination to choose?

• There are a lot of factors that can influence your decision for a new home country. Your own preferences but also practical matters can play a big role.
• What are the push and pull factors of the destination? What are the immigration policies like, how about the language and culture. How is the healthcare system organised and what is the situation concerning safety and criminality.
• Read through guidebooks, visit websites or get involved in online communities to get answers to these questions.
• If you found good option consider the feasibility of an orientation trip.

What to do in your new home country?

• How are you going to generate income: own business, expat, job, pension? Make an estimation of the minimum salary that is needed to live in another country with your family.
• Check the expat policies at your current employer. If you want to start up your own business, ask for professional legal advice by a legal consultant. And get an insight into (local) insurances for business liability. 
• What kind of activities is your partner going to undertake? Is he or she able to find a local job, are volunteer activities an option?
• Also take into account the extra training, the necessity of learning new skills and the other (work) culture. 

When and how to inform others?

• Discuss the plan with the others involved and respect each other’s positive and negative feelings. Write down the things you discuss, this can be useful for the process or for a later moment.
• Involve your partner or a friend in the process from start to end. Don't forget to involve children, especially the older ones, in this process. Involve your younger children when a decision has been taken.
• Choose someone you trust, who is critical but can motivate. Authorize this person as a signatory to sign documents when you have left, such as tax documents.
• It can also help to talk to people who have been through the same experience.
• After you have taken the most important decisions, inform the people that you are close to. Consider organizing an information meeting. Do not defend yourself but respect all different kinds of reactions and emotions.

If you have experience with emigration and want to share, feel free to leave a comment! Or create your own Worldsupporter account to share your experiences and read the experiences of other emigrants/expats.

• On the day of packing or loading, reserve a clear place or closet for items that the mover must not touch. Think of that bag with important documents, medicines, your children's favorite stuffed animals: without a good overview, there is a chance that these too -for days or weeks- will end up in the moving van.
• Call the planning department in advance (1-2 business days) before the move for start times.
• Take down last remaining curtains.
• Walk around the house immediately after the movers arrive and make notes on final action or attention points.
• Walk a last-check lap around the house after the moving truck is loaded.
• Take meter readings and disconnect gas and electricity (if a new tenant is not moving in or not immediately).
• Drain the water supply in the winter (even if it is not freezing).
• Lock all windows and doors securely; hand keys to caretaker/new tenants.
• Say goodbye to neighbors, family and friends.
• Agree on an indicative time when you will let the home front know that you have arrived; point out once again that there may be time differences and mention that during the trip something may happen as a result of which you will temporarily be unavailable or less accessible, be delayed, etc.
• When you are emigrating with children, where possible discuss the course of the travel and arrival days again, so that they know what is most likely going to happen. As always when traveling with children, make arrangements about what to do if someone gets lost or lost (who to talk to, meeting point at the airport, etc.).
• Despite all the emotions surrounding the actual departure: try to make sure that the "last memory before departure" is a positive one, one with a smile; that will make it a little easier for those left behind.

First things upon arrival

• Register as a new resident with the municipality in your new place of residence. In many countries, a registration number ("citizen service number") is essential for many subsequent administrative matters (e.g. utilities).
• Once you arrive, pay a visit to the town hall; still, especially in smaller towns, the mayor is a powerful person with whom you like to have a good relationship.
• Open a local bank account and provide your new account number to various organizations.

Transport

• If you have your own transportation (car), arrange for a navigation system or app with maps for your local area; you probably won't be able to find your way around without it at first.
• Is your car taken away? Have the license plate converted before you drive it. Rules vary, but usually this should be done within 3 months of settling in. Also arrange a new car insurance immediately. Don't forget to notify your own car insurance company, as soon as your car gets a foreign license plate. In some countries you must actively register for road tax yourself; you will not receive automatic notification.

Networking & relatives

• Make sure that you can be reached (again): for those left behind in your home country, for authorities in your new country of residence, for the nursery, etc.
  • at least familiarize yourself with the telephone line, internet and mobile telephony; which techniques are most used locally?
  • consider a pre-paid mobile subscription for the first period: this gives you time to study the better or most advantageous mobile subscriptions in your new country of residence. Preferably sign up for a one-year subscription in your first year; this will cost a little more, but you will have the option of switching to another, more advantageous subscription after one year. During the first period, gather tips from local or expat friends and acquaintances: they obviously already have experience in what to arrange through whom.
  • Consider more data usage than you were used to in your home country: calling-via-internet, watching TV online, etc.
  • Do you or your partner work for a local employer or an international (expat) employer? Find out if you can arrange subscriptions through that employer: costs may be fully or partially reimbursed, or there may be special favorable agreements.
• Depending on your familiarity with your new location—and of course based on your needs—quickly explore whether there are any (expat) groups, networks, or foreigner clubs after your arrival; they often offer a buddy system. If you sign up, you can request (or be offered) to be paired with an expatriate who has lived in the area longer and can help you get oriented in the first few weeks, assisting you with initial arrangements.
• Do you live in a smaller community and need practical help, for example around your house (handymen, electricians, etc.)? Or do you need to make larger purchases, such as for a welcome gathering? Preferably hire local services and shop with smaller suppliers. This promotes integration and generates goodwill, unlike when you only visit the large regional supermarket or hire people from outside “the village.”
• If you were used to it (or if it’s more common in your new destination): preferably through your new local network, arrange for a housekeeper.
• Get to know your immediate neighbors or consider a quick meet-and-greet with several neighbors at once. Examples of conversation topics (besides general introductions):
  • Good places for small and large grocery shopping (supermarkets, department stores, specialty shops).
  • Addresses for better hardware stores and/or specialized shops for specific topics, plumbers, electricians, etc.
  • Contact information for arranging utilities: gas, water, electricity.
  • Contact information for arranging telecom services.
  • How public transportation works in the immediate area; where the nearest stops are, frequency.
  • Getting familiar with the immediate neighborhood: what is available and where.
  • Are there notable aspects regarding the daily routine: quiet hours, opening times, meal times, etc.
  • What days is the garbage collected, waste separation, requesting containers.
  • Good addresses for sports or hobbies.
  • Who to contact in case of practical, medical, or safety issues; emergency numbers.
  • Better addresses nearby for affordable gas.
  • If your neighbors have lived there for a long time: what is the history of your houses and the immediate surroundings.
  • Also explain why you chose to emigrate and why you specifically chose this location; there’s a good chance people will understand your choices better and find it nice that you chose "their" area.
• Besides practically organizing various matters, also take the time—whether with your family or not—to reflect on your departure period. Evaluate how everything went and what everyone thought about it: closing off the departure period gives you insights into first lessons learned, creates space for initial thoughts about the future, and helps you experience what’s to come more consciously.

Children

• Have you moved with your children? Establish regular routines shortly after arrival. There are already enough things to adjust to; try to maintain the familiar rhythm of your home country as much as possible in the first few weeks after your arrival. Think of certain eating habits during the week, a fun activity on the weekend, (re-watching) a specific TV show that you enjoyed as a family. Gradually transition to the rhythms and habits of your new country.

The tips below are from Emigration experts by experience might inspire you

• Never impose your pace on your partner when making departure plans and never force decisions: everyone has their own pace.
• Allow yourself setbacks or doubts; always give yourself the right to go back on a decision.
• Give yourself enough preparation time; plans can almost always be postponed for a while.
• Do not fight homesickness, it's part of expatlife experience.
• Don't assimilate. Instead you should blend your culture with the local culture. But never forget where you came from!
• Find a new hobby to keep you busy - be it learning a new language, cooking or running.
• Learn to laugh along with people who laugh at you, and you'll find they never meant any harm.
• BE FLEXIBLE! Plans change so frequently because, well, that's the way expat life works.
• In many countries lunch is typically cheaper than dinner. Use this to your advantage to explore the cuisine of your new home.
• Mindset: Think how you can contribute and make a difference in your new environment, rather than how you can benefit only.
• Smile! You might not be able to speak the language yet but your positive body language will set you up for success.
• Make a list of things you want to do/see/try in your new city and country. Pin it to the wall & do your best to follow through.
• Make local friends who show you around and make friends in different circles...
• Get local as fast as you can. Not by joining local expat clubs but joining local routines. Take sincere interest in local life.
• Don't let one bad experience determine your stay. There is always more good than bad.
• Keep a journal, record your honest feelings and insights. It is so great to read them later and see how you've changed.
• Volunteer your time or talents in support of local organisations. You'll make new friends and give back.
• When you are bored, look around you and you will notice enough things to do, to keep you busy, to make a difference and at the same time and to feel more at home at the new place you are living now.