#1 Reason why your first international experience has a high chance of ending in failure

***

I remember when I did my first international assignment in an Asian country, I already failed before I even began

HR noticed a mistake in my resume

I felt embarrassed because I’d been sloppy

I admitted my mistake

Told them that if they didn’t want to push through with my application, I would understand

And I thought that’s the end of it

My 4th attempt to get out of the country will fail again

1st attempt failed years before when I was still a student

2nd attempt failed when I was still an experienced staff

3rd attempt failed due to client conflict

And now this…

I was very grateful when weeks later, I still received confirmation that I got in

And to Singapore, I went

***

During the first few weeks, I remember feeling so awed by everything

The efficient transportation

The clean streets (throwing bubble gum is a crime!)

Tasty but affordable food in the hawker centers

Then, I started working...

But as you know, not all work-abroad stories are fairy tales

My first culture shock came when I got a taste of Singaporean efficiency

(And also a taste of my own medicine)

Be gone and be quick is the name of the game

Whereas in our own country, long lunches and chit-chats are common

Among Singaporeans, it’s not the case

The 2nd culture shock was the work itself

I felt very robotic in everything I did

As much as I hate to admit this, I felt miserable during that entire assignment

I wanted to end it as soon as possible

But when it was finally over and I was still mentally functioning when I returned to my home country, I felt that something already changed in me

***

So, what's the #1 reason that will make you fail your first international experience?

Lack of self-awareness

Not knowing what you’re good at and where you suck

Your strengths and your vulnerabilities—

Those are the things that a work-abroad experience will highlight for you

But once you become self-aware, your experience can only get better

***

If you’re also living and working in another country, recognize the phases you have to go through:

• Phase 1 – You arrive as your unique self, feeling excited and ready to conquer the world with your individuality

• Phase 2 – You make judgments on how to adjust because you’re the minority and you don’t want to stand out too much

• Phase 3 – The most difficult phase because you can end up quitting after realizing that you can neither stand out and you can’t also fit in

• Phase 4 – You’ve earned trust and built enough social capital to keep you moving forward

• Phase 5 – You recognize and accept your uniqueness and the value that you can bring, you are in a cross-cultural exchange of best practices

• Phase 6 – You’re well adapted to your new way of life, and you’ve had a fusion of the good things both from your culture and the other country’s culture

No matter what phase you’re in today, I hope that you earn resilience and a lifelong supply of insights and lessons

But also don’t forget to take care of two things:

- Your mental wellbeing and

- Your financial wellbeing

Both are equally important to me and perhaps, to you as well

In future posts, I’ll be happy to share with you some practical tips and tricks for maximizing your financial well-being while living and working abroad

But first, would you be willing to share yours too?

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