It’s believed that almost ten million Americans have left the country to go and live in destinations across the world, and with so many amazing options on offer, it’s not difficult to see why they do it. From job opportunities in certain sectors which are better elsewhere, to the high standards of living that certain foreign countries enjoy, there are plenty of pull factors turning Americans into expatriates. Here are some of the top reasons that people make the move.
Educational opportunities
America has an excellent educational system which provides an opportunity for all children to reach their full potential, but moving to a different country does not mean that your child will miss out. There are countries all around the world which rival the opportunities offered by the American system and encourage the confidence and skills required for life after school. Schools in Asia, most notably international schools in Singapore, are considered educational leaders, offering children the chance to study a variety of subjects and experience a multicultural education from an early age all the way up to pre-college prep – so the whole family can enroll.
Job moves
Making a big switch in your career has the potential to be rewarding no matter where you do it but going abroad to take the next step on the career ladder is a big deal. Often, people who move abroad for work are doing so because the new role will be particularly rewarding, and if this applies to you then you’ll already be prepared for what’s coming.
However, even if your new job doesn’t provide a particularly big change from your old one back home, working abroad provides you with a whole new set of life experiences. From meeting new people to learning how another working culture operates, you’ll be rewarded every day – and you’ll also be rewarded in the long run by the resume points that a stint working abroad offers you as it marks you out to future employers.
Confidence boost
Whether it’s starting a new school, meeting new people or taking up a position in a company with an unfamiliar work culture, all members of the family can enjoy a confidence boost as a result of moving to a whole new country. Even families who have their move planned right down to the last little detail are still likely to experience an unforeseen challenge when the move takes place and dealing with that is an important part of the process.
It may be, for example, that one child experiences a bout of homesickness, or someone else in the family finds it tough to learn the local language. And while those sorts of problems are difficult to handle at the time, the experience will make you become stronger individuals and give you all the confidence to deal with whatever life throws at you as the years go by.
Moving abroad with your family provides a whole host of rewarding opportunities. From the prospects it will present for those who are working or enrolling in school, to the simple boosts in confidence that expats get by dealing with every day’s new challenges, there are all sorts of ways that a move like this could be the best choice you and your family ever made.