Tune in to the podcast, where I discuss living and working abroad.

Below is a snapshot of what you’ll hear in my podcast with ACA.

The road to Milan

My fascination with life beyond the States began in high school, when I toured Scandinavia as a member of a regional soccer team. The experience sparked my curiosity about different cultures. Later, studying abroad in Florence and Milan deepened my appreciation for Italy and ultimately led me to pursue a career in international business, setting me on my expat journey.

While completing my MBA in the U.S.A. and Italy, I interned with Pirelli in Milan. Two years later, Pirelli offered me a job at their headquarters in Italy.

Upon my return to Milan, I encountered my first set of hurdles. Navigating Italy’s bureaucracy to obtain a work permit was an early challenge. Determination and adaptability made the process less painful.

Four lessons I learned on my expat journey

• Going with the flow – Italy can test your patience. Long waits at government offices, frequent transportation strikes, and bureaucratic hurdles taught me to stop sweating the small stuff and focus on adapting instead of resisting.

• The power of determination – Five years into my expat life, Pirelli sold my business unit, and I found myself without a job. Networking and persistence helped me secure a new role with a U.S. multinational in Italy, proving that resilience is a key trait to thriving in a foreign job market.

• Embracing cultural differences – Corporate culture in Italy differs from that in the U.S.A. One of my biggest adjustments was learning the importance of face time with colleagues. Some of my best career insights came from informal conversations over coffee, lunch, and social events, rather than being glued to my desk.

• Understanding hidden costs – I underestimated taxes and some other common expenses. For example, paying roughly 700 euros for my driver’s license caught me off guard. Later, I learned how to better manage my budget and anticipate expenses, resulting in fewer surprises.

The reality of living abroad

The fantasy of moving abroad often glosses over the complexities. An expat journey presents challenges such as feeling lonely, adapting to a new way of life that may not make sense at first, being labeled a foreigner, and dealing with skeptics. Despite that, creating a new life from scratch fosters resilience, resourcefulness, and cultural openness.

Advice for aspiring expats

Thinking of relocating? Do your research. Evaluate the job offer—salary, relocation assistance, health benefits, and long-term career impact. Understand the cost of living, essential documents needed, tax implications, and logistics. If you have a family, also factor in education.

For women seeking expat roles, assertiveness is crucial. Take initiative and communicate your interest in international assignments within your company. Opportunities can arise through company expansions, acquisitions, or rotational programs.

Reflections and final thoughts

Milan’s expat community is diverse—students, business professionals, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs make up the American community here. Milan is more than just a “working city.” It has beautifully manicured, hidden courtyards, notable art, rich culture, and opportunities to meet people from all over Italy and the world.

If I could advise my younger self, I’d say, “always step outside your comfort zone and take advantage of every opportunity–whether staying put, moving to another country, or returning home.”

My expat journey has enriched my life in ways I never expected. I received career opportunities across EMEA. Have friendships with people from all over the world. Lastly, I have experienced a deep cultural immersion that is not possible through travel alone. If you’re offered an opportunity to take an expat assignment, take it! It could be the most transformative experience of your life.

Photo by Khush Sandhu from Pexels

The post My expat journey: an honest account of life abroad. appeared first on Ciao Lulu!.

When I landed in Italy 20 years ago, I was both excited and scared. I experienced mixed emotions. My thoughts ranged from this being a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to what had I gotten myself into and everything in between. Was this the right move in my mid-30s? What if I fail or can’t hack it? Could I make it overseas without a safety net? These are just a few thoughts that raced through my mind until I got on the plane. Having doubts is normal. That’s when you must tell yourself that nothing significant happens in your comfort zone. I reminded myself that I wanted to live and work abroad. I had studied for it and made the preparations to go, so why not now?

A year from now, you will wish you had started today. — Karen Lamb

Spending time abroad can be a life-changing experience. Here’s how you can benefit and what you can expect from your time away from home.

Take a timeout from the political chaos in the States.

Has the outcome of the election got you down? Even though the future appears bleak, this is a perfect time to escape the stress and uncertainty of the Trump Administration. Depending on your chosen place, you could be looking at everything from a more welcoming and stable government to a lower cost of living, universal healthcare, and, of course, cheaper eggs! If you still believe in it, science has proven that extended exposure to political divisiveness negatively affects your well-being. Psychology Today explains how prolonged divisiveness fuels burnout.

I’m not one for running away from my problems. However, putting some distance between you and the 24-hour news cycle will do wonders for your mental well-being, even if it’s only temporary.

Lastly, you can still participate in the resistance from abroad by joining online movements like BuildTheResistance.org, donating money, participating in virtual protests and phone campaigns, and sharing news and information on social media.

When you go abroad, leave your comfort zone behind.

Every day, you will be put to the test. You’ll have many new experiences to conquer, from minor everyday nuisances to far more complex issues. This can include everything from ordering food, understanding the metro system, meeting new people, asking for help to read the 15-line items on your pay stub, going on vacation by yourself, renting an apartment, filing local taxes, to buying a home – all in a foreign language. A dose of vulnerability can help, along with resilience and the attitude to get up and try again.

Do one thing every day that scares you. — Eleanor Roosevelt

Access learning you won’t get in the classroom.

When you go abroad, you will likely take a language class or two where you will get the basics. There are language apps to support your learning along the way as well. I encourage you to take classes and try the available tech, but the real test will come when you wake up and step outside. I call it street learning. Start the morning at a café or coffee bar. Ordering and having coffee at the corner bar will be helpful in assimilating into your new home. Not only to observe how the locals do it but also to get a sense of what people are talking about and what’s on their minds. You can extend street learning to food and clothing shopping, dining out, and the office.

Experience a new culture firsthand when you live and work abroad.

In Italy, for example, there are more than 230 festivals and events every year related to historical events, food & wine, and local traditions.

Here are just a handful of events that I have experienced: the Epiphany, Jan 6, where the Befana (witch) leaves candy and sweets in the stockings of children; Venice’s Carnevale, the farewell party leading up to Lent, Feb 14-Mar 4; Vinitaly wine festival in Verona, Apr 6-9; The Infiorata di Noto, the Baroque Flower Festival, in Noto, Sicily, May 16-20; the Sagra del Limone, a festival dedicated to lemons, in Monterosso, Cinque Terre, May 17; The Festa della Repubblica, the birthday of the Italian Republic, Jun 2; and The Festa del Redentore which takes place in Venice and celebrates the end of the plague, Jul 19-20. When you live and work abroad, events and holidays can be great fun and provide an opportunity to learn more about a new culture.

Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it. Doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risk like that – that is what life is. You might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that’s really special and if you’re not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself. — Amy Poehler

While overseas, open yourself up to new career opportunities.

After a few years of work experience abroad, I built up a resume that opened doors. I was exposed to opportunities that would never have been available to me in the States. A combination of experience and an extended network helped me advance my career and establish myself as an international marketing professional at home and overseas. Thanks to my success in Italy, I have been recruited and interviewed for jobs throughout EMEA.

Alternatively, being abroad can spark entrepreneurial pursuits. Many people I know have leveraged their experiences to start their own businesses in consulting, travel services, food and wine, and other opportunities related to their home overseas.

While a move of any type can be stressful, if you’ve done your research, then why not now? Today, there are more ways to go abroad than ever before. You can study, teach, volunteer, go with your current employer, get recruited internationally, or go on a digital nomad visa. You can do it yourself, or there are companies to help you find the right place and support you on your move.

An experience overseas will expand your horizons and open doors to a new you.

Photo by Lina Kivaka from Pexels

The post Live and work abroad: 5 reasons to encourage you to go now. appeared first on Ciao Lulu!.

Prior to the move, I had earned my MBA from the University of South Carolina. During my studies, I did an exchange program with Bocconi University’s business school and had an internship with Pirelli, the tire and telecoms equipment manufacturer. I loved it.

After I graduated, the company made me an offer to head up marketing and communications for its telecoms business, and I jumped at the chance to return to Italy.

I was on my own and only knew a few people from my internship. But I didn’t feel nervous, just excited at this new opportunity. I’ve been in Milan ever since.

If you want to know what happened after I left the U.S., read the article on CNBC Make It.

The post CNBC Make It: I left the U.S. for Italy 20 years ago— the 4 important lessons I learned appeared first on Ciao Lulu!.

I have wanted to walk the el Camino de Santiago for some time now and finally decided to do it. I am not an expert on the Camino as I have just completed a part of the French route, but here is what I learned from my first experience.

I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it. – Rosalia de Castro (Galician poet & novelist)

1. There is an overwhelmingly positive vibe on the Camino. 

No matter what your reason is for walking the el Camino de Santiago – recovering from a loss, confronting a health problem, embarking on a spiritual journey, disconnecting from everyday life, desiring a change of scenery, or challenging oneself physically by walking from one country to another, there is a positive energy in the air that is contagious. The people you meet go out of their way to be friendly and supportive, offering anecdotes or words of wisdom to ponder throughout your journey. No matter the circumstances, no one complains about sore feet, the unexpected and frequent rain showers, or the several kilometers to the next bar and bathroom. 

2. No one cares about what you do on the Camino.

Your job title means nothing on the el Camino de Santiago. Your backpack doesn’t have a written label like retiree, CEO, manager, caregiver, student, teacher, etc.; these mean nothing on the Camino. You’ll find that most pilgrims are curious and will greet one another with ¡Buen Camino! They want to know who you are and where you are from. Pilgrims also want to know where you started your Camino and why you’re walking. Sure, conversations might get into what you do for a living, but this does not define you on the Camino. On the Camino, there’s a level of openness and acceptance unmatched elsewhere. 

3. There is an unwritten rule to respect all walkers. 

No one bad-mouths another pilgrim. On the el Camino de Santiago, you can walk alone in silence or quietly chat with new acquaintances. Furthermore, no one is judging your gear or the brand of your hiking boots. Lastly, you are not too different, old, or young to be on the Camino. Everyone is equal. 

4. Sharing and collaborating is typical behavior on the Camino.

Walking alongside a stranger for long stretches of the Camino is quite common. When invited, pilgrims are eager to share their experiences. Therefore, it’s common to see strangers share lunch, take photos together, offer a blister kit to someone needing foot care, or help repair a bike tire for those doing the Camino by bicycle. 

5. Everyone is working toward the same goal.

No matter your route or how long it takes you, everyone shares the same goal on the Camino – getting to Santiago de Compostela. For this reason, those walking the Camino are willing to help and encourage strangers in their journey. You feel part of something bigger than just you. The first stop for many pilgrims once they reach Santiago de Compostela is Obradoiro Square. Here you will see masses of pilgrims filter into the square to celebrate their arrival – strangers hugging strangers, groups of people singing and dancing, or individuals just sitting in the square taking it all in. There are no barriers or fear of engaging with other pilgrims. Everyone is celebrating their achievement and that of all the others who have made it to the square that day. 

For me, the el Camino de Santiago in Spain was a journey of self-reflection and renewal. It also taught me the importance of tolerance, acceptance, and non-judgmental behavior. Most importantly, the Camino leaves you with the challenge to apply what you learned on your journey to your everyday life.

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I lost my husband, my companion, my life partner, and my best friend, and while it doesn’t matter what you call our relationship, we spent the past 12 years together. Through good and bad times, we were doing it together as a team navigating all that life throws at you. 

Now, I must leave that life and our joint plans behind and navigate an unknown future. When the comfort of having the right partner is no longer possible, sadness and fear sink in immediately. 

While my journey of healing and moving forward is in the early stages, I’ve learned the following from dealing with my loss.

One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else’s survival guide.

— Brené Brown

10 tips on how to survive the loss of a loved one.

1. Open up.
   
   
2. Get professional help.
   
   
3. Form a support network.
   
   
4. Take care of business.
   
   
5. Live in the present.
   
   
6. Be assertive.
   
   
7. Take care of yourself.
   
   
8. Accept change.
   
   
9. Go easy on yourself.
   
   
10. Help someone else.

1. Open up. 

Naturally, you may not want to see anyone at first, but the sooner you let people in, the better it will be for you. I didn’t want to be needy but let’s face it, you are when you are dealing with the loss of a loved one. You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t. I am lucky to have a supportive network of family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Your network will offer to jump on a plane to be with you, check in on you, cook for you, walk your dog, take you out, do your shopping, take projects on to reduce your workload, etc. All I can say is let those around you help. Surviving loss and healing while abroad will be painfully slow if you try to do it alone.

I’m an introvert, so this was a significant change for me – letting others help me. While I could be better at letting people in, I’ve learned that it has been a helpful and positive experience when I do. So, if you want to be more open with people, do these nine things.

2. Get professional help.

I can’t stress how important this is. Your family, friends, and community are crucial but having an objective view, and a professional trained in helping people rebuild their lives after losing a loved one is essential. As I’m usually not an open person, I was skeptical and thought my first session would be my last session. The opposite is true. I continue to see my therapist to this day. On top of that, my therapist also has dual citizenship and understands cultural differences. I can communicate in my native language, and I know that my therapist understands the cultural differences between the United States and Italy.

Regardless of your need – surviving loss abroad, stress, burnout, depression, etc. — it is no longer taboo to seek help. Due to the pandemic, support for mental well-being has become front and center for employees and employers worldwide. Today, people acknowledge that mental health is as important as physical health. On a positive note, many companies now have mental well-being support networks. So, if you work in a large company, check in with your HR or Benefits department to see what services are available to you. Check with your healthcare provider if your company doesn’t offer these services. You can also look into group therapy which can help minimize the cost. If you need help finding or vetting a therapist, here’s a helpful resource on how to find a therapist. 

3. Form a support network.

Outside of therapy, you’ll need a core network to help you survive your loss. These are trusted friends and family close by or a phone call away. You’ll have good and bad days, anxiety attacks, depression, and many ups and downs. Having someone close by to talk through your feelings will help with the healing process. I make it a point to speak with my support network daily. We check in at the same time. Sometimes this is just an IM that everything is ok, or it is a conversation to talk through my feelings. My support group also holds me accountable for the actions I want to take and the behaviors I want to change. While it can be hard to ask for help, this is what friends and family are for; just be there for them when they need your support. You can also find comfort in joining a gym, volunteering, and other social activities. Tap into this tool to beat stress.

4. Take care of business.

With the loss of a loved one, there will be the bureaucratic “stuff” to address – wills, insurance, bills, closing and opening accounts, investments, taxes, property, pensions, etc. Prioritize and organize these activities. Some will be time-sensitive, while other items can wait. I can assure you that the cleaning up and administrative “stuff” is the energy-draining and heartless part of losing someone. It is also when you genuinely get to know a person’s character. Money and material items can often bring out the worst in the people around us. As with anything, understand the laws and your rights. To do that, work through your network. There will be someone who can recommend a lawyer or who has lived through a similar experience. Here’s a financial checklist for when your spouse dies. 

5. Live in the present.

Don’t get trapped in the past; don’t think too far ahead. I can tell you from experience that dwelling on the past will keep you stuck there. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t remember the good times. On the other hand, thinking too far ahead will parallelize you. I often get the question, will you go home, back to the States? While there are many options of where I can live, I don’t need to figure that out today. Surviving loss abroad means trying to take it one day at a time. Thinking too far into the future brings uncertainty and fear, detracting from what you need to do today. If you need help living in the present, read how to start living in the moment and stop worrying.

6. Be assertive.

Don’t be aggressive, don’t be passive, be assertive. Be confident and clear about what you want or need. Stand up for yourself. Why is this important? You don’t want to get sucked into other family members’ issues, dramas, or problems at your expense. You can still help others; just stay on top of your needs and interests. If you need help being assertive, check out seven powerful habits that make you more assertive.

7. Take care of yourself.

Not only should you take care of yourself, spoil yourself – you deserve it. When surviving the loss of a loved one, It is easy to get into the habit of rolling out of bed, putting on the same clothes from the past few days, and going through the motions. I’m not proud of it, but there were days that I didn’t even brush my teeth. You become a prisoner of your situation, and this is not good. Self-love is not only permitted but necessary. You will feel better if you take care of yourself – your health, body, and mind. In the end, you will feel better about yourself, and your outlook on life will improve. Self-love means putting yourself first, caring for your body and mind, and doing the activities you love. Here’s how to focus on yourself – and only yourself.

8. Accept change.

This is one of the hardest parts of loss. Your life will never be as it was. Surviving the loss of a loved one means you will be forced to start over. While a fresh start can be exciting, it is also frightening, especially when you are not looking for it. The sooner you accept this, the quicker you’ll move on. That’s not to say that you won’t make mistakes and slip back into the past. Are you resistant to change? Then check out your five-step resilience exercise for accepting change.

9. Go easy on yourself.

You are only human. Know that you will have good and bad days. Writing my feelings down or journaling helps me work through problems and bring about the changes I’m trying to make. Need help? Here are nine little ways to go easy on yourself right now.

10. Help someone else.

Helping others takes the focus off ourselves. It can also bring satisfaction and improve mental health, among other positive benefits. From experience, helping others provides perspective and can give us purpose. Volunteering your time might not be the first thing that comes to mind when surviving the loss of a loved one, but it will become an integral part of the healing process. Read about the seven scientific benefits of helping others. 

The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not “get over” the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to.

— Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler

The post 10 helpful tips to adopt when surviving loss abroad. appeared first on Ciao Lulu!.

Anyone who knows me, knows that working abroad is a dream come true.  I’ve constructed a full life in the country of my family’s roots – Italy.  If you have visited Italy, you can appreciate people who are full of passion, a rich culture, traditions that vary from town to town, and a history that spans ancient times to the present.  Living here has certainly influenced my thinking on how I should live my life.  Italians are passionate people who work hard and enjoy life.  With the best of food, wine, art, design, fashion, architecture, and a geographical position that appeals to cold- and warm-weather activity, it is easy to arrive in a place like Italy and fall into the trap that “la dolce vita” or “the good life” is something easily obtained.

The reality is that Italy can also be characterized as a country with a weak job market, corruption, high taxes, an inefficient government, public services that don’t work, and a lot of bureaucracy.  While your early months of expat life might feel like a scene from Netflix’s original series Emily in Paris, the reality is that to maintain a full and satisfying life abroad, you have to really work at it…all the time. 

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” – Dolly Parton

As I reflect on my time in Italy, there are some tough challenges to cope with while working abroad.

Trading places.

The first challenge of expat life is working, legally, in your new home country. A hard but useful lesson, one that everyone who is an expat will experience, is being an immigrant.  Even with the sponsorship of a globally-recognized Italian company, when I arrived in Italy from the USA there was no preferential treatment. 

I was labeled an “extracomunitario” or a “non-EU citizen” like many others arriving from outside the European Union.  Being called a “foreigner” or “outsider” is not exactly a warm and fuzzy feeling.  Having those words stamped on all your documents isn’t a badge of honor.  Going down to the immigration office to get my first “permesso di soggiorno” or “residence permit” is an experience that I will never forget.  The learning here is to standup tall and be proud of who you are.  Also, have compassion for those who are trying to create a better life somewhere else.

The bureaucracy.

I can’t speak for every country, but the paperwork that I needed to be admitted into the quota for my residence permit in Italy was insane, even when there was someone else doing the work for me. Once admitted, I had to return home to do more paperwork in my home country. Upon my return to Italy, it took even more time to have some of the basic services that one takes for granted at home – a form of identification, a checking account, access to healthcare, etc. Here, all I can say is that patience and determination will get you through this period.  Before you head off to your expat assignment, try to get first-hand feedback on the process from others from your home country who have gone through the work-permit process.

Finding your place far from home.

Once you are settled and start working abroad, you’ll need to create a life in your new country.  This isn’t spring break, so making meaningful connections may require more effort than usual.  On the job, you may be seen as a threat.   Integrating and finding your way will take time and will not happen overnight.  You’ll need to put yourself out there and try many experiences to find the right balance that works for you.  Join associations, volunteer and go out and meet people.

Maintain connections.

It is easy to lose touch.  Staying connected can be difficult due to time zone differences and any other excuses that come to mind.  Schedule time to connect with your family and friends.  Make the effort to see one another when you are at home or nearby.  Be sure to preserve the ties you created while you make new ones.  

Stay relevant on the job.

While expat life can open the doors to new opportunities, sometimes being too far from the corporate headquarters can be a disadvantage. Even when the experience you are undertaking makes you better at your job and more qualified for promotion, you may be passed over and even forgotten.  Here you’ll need to be assertive and vocal in order to keep yourself front and center.  And, even after proving yourself, you still might be excluded because you are not in the right location.  This is unfortunate. 

However, if there is anything the pandemic has taught us is that we can be productive even when we are not physically together in the same room.  Many companies are incorporating the learnings from the past year to create more flexible and dynamic work environments. However after all this, if you still feel that you are being put in the corner check out what you can do outside of your workday to advance your career.

Tax madness.

Something that many of us are dealing with in these days is the filing of our taxes.  If you’re an American, like me, you are required to file taxes in the USA.  Your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax no matter where you reside.  This means that every year you are living and working abroad, you’ll be filing taxes in two places, most likely requiring the service of an accountant.  Groups like American Citizens Abroad are advocating for tax reform.  If you want to keep your American citizenship, you must continue to file your taxes in the USA.  No matter where you’re from and where you’re going, you’ll want to understand your tax obligations.

Expat life is what you make it.

I went from the USA to Italy; you’ll probably be heading somewhere else. The point is that you’ll need to do your research on day-to-day expat life to understand the challenges of working abroad.  These are only a few but there could be other challenges to expat life. How you choose to manage the obstacles you encounter will affect your wellbeing while you are living and working abroad.  Like anything in life, you get what you put into it including “la dolce vita” or “the good life”.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

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“I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.”

Work overseas.

I often get asked the question, “when did you know that you wanted to work abroad and how did you do it”?  Growing up, I was always interested in travel and learning new things.  I studied abroad in college, and by the time I graduated, I knew I wanted a career that included an expat experience.  From there, I worked for large companies and organizations in roles that were international in scope. I returned to school for an international MBA, and that’s where I got my big break.

So, to answer the question, wanting to work abroad started as an interest that I steadily cultivated throughout my career.  In the beginning, I had no clue how I would go abroad professionally.  However, as I pursued my interests, I became more informed about the opportunities available to me, and what I needed to do to reach my goal.

So here are the steps I took to find work abroad.  I’ve also included some links to help you get started with your own journey. 

1. Study and travel abroad.

If you can manage it financially, I highly recommend you do it.  Studying or traveling to unfamiliar places will open your mind to so many things such as meeting people from all walks of life, learning a new language, experiencing a different culture, discovering new ways to approach age old problems, and, most importantly, stepping outside your comfort zone.  There is only an upside here that includes self-improvement, learning and career advancement.

Traveling abroad.

• Transitions Abroad: Transitions Abroad: Study Abroad and Educational Travel
• Go Abroad: GoAbroad
• EF: EF Education First

2. Work for an international company or organization.

More and more, I believe that working in a multinational or in an international organization not only prepares you for what is to come but also increases your chances of working overseas. Early in my career, I worked for one of the largest cruise companies which provided me with the opportunity to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and to travel extensively. Having this opportunity early on created the foundation for what would become a career filled with international experiences.  More importantly, I expanded my thinking on how vast the possibilities were when it came to career opportunities.

Find a corporate job.

• INSIDER: The 25 global companies with the best workplace cultures, according to employees
• Forbes: The World’s Best Employers
• LADDERS: These are the 50 best companies in the world to work for right now

3. Get your Master’s overseas.

At this point in my life, I was committed to getting an expat job.  I went back to school for an international MBA that included studying and interning abroad.  By this time, you have enough years of experience to have an idea what you want to do in life.  Today, there are more ways to get an advanced degree than ever before – online, part-time, executive, full-time, etc.  Regardless of what you choose, be sure to understand the commitment you are undertaking.  The outcome will depend 100 percent on you.  An advanced degree will not guarantee you get what you want.  What an advanced degree will do, is open doors. 

Get an advanced degree.

• U.S. News: Find the Best Grad Schools
• The Financial Times: FT Global MBA ranking 2021: Europe tops table but US dominate
• Forbes: The Latest Rankings Of The World’s Best Online MBA Programs

4. Stay in contact.

So, you studied abroad, traveled the world and worked in a global organization.  Now what?  Maintain and grow your network. My break came two years after finishing business school.  The company where I did my business school internship called me for a full-time job in Italy.

Network.

• Fast Company: How to feel less icky about networking
• Indeed career guide: 10 Tips To Help You Network Like a Pro
• LinkedIn: Four Tips to Network on Linked

5. When opportunity knocks, open the door.

Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? Well, it’s easy to come up with a list of excuses of why you can’t do something.  If I’m honest, after being offered the opportunity to return to Italy, I definitely had butterflies or doubts about going back.  But after the fluttering stopped, I knew that this opportunity was right for me.  And here I am today, in Italy.  No more explanation needed.

Take chances.

• Lifehack: Top 10 Fears That Hold Us Back In Life
• Inc.: 20 Great Courage-Inspiring Quotes
• Harvard Business Review: How to Overcome Your Fear of Making Mistakes

Everyone’s journey is different, but when I look back on my career, these steps were the actions and choices that helped me reach my goal. 

Photo by Ono Kosuki from Pexels.

The post Work abroad: steps I took to become a professional expat. appeared first on Ciao Lulu!.

Act now on your expat goals.

As we begin the new year, the first thought for many of us is to just forget about the last one.  Understandably so, 2020 was just awful.  Even after surviving, what I hope is, the worst of the pandemic COVD-19, it’s still a worthwhile exercise to reflect on what we did in 2020 and where we want to be in 2021. For those of you who are thinking about pursuing an expat experience – congratulations!  So how do you cross the proverbial finish line – get that expat assignment?  Well, I’m here to help you with that!

While COVID-19 will still be with us for a good part of 2021, the promising news is that a vaccine will be available to a majority of people around the globe. While that doesn’t mean business as usual, it does mean that we can begin to develop our new ‘normal’.  I’m confident that in some shape or form we will travel and we will conduct business in person again.

Take steps toward an expat experience.

Step 1: Research expat life.

It all starts here.   What is expat life all about?  Are you sure it is for you? This is where you’ll need to do some extensive research.  Start online with helpful resources such as the following.

• HSBC Expat Explorer is an annual study of nearly 20,000 expat professionals. HSBC also provides other valuable resources such as expat country guides.

• InterNations is a community of around 4 million members present in 420 cities around the globe helping people meet, connect and exchange information.  InterNations helps expats feel at home around the world.

• Expat Insider City Ranking is an annual survey by InterNations.  The 2020 survey included responses from more than 15,000 expats living in 181 countries or territories providing various information about expat life. 

• Expatica provides expats the information they need to turn their new country into their new home.

• Transitions Abroad  has been around since 1977, and offers comprehensive information and resources on travel, work, study, and living abroad with a purpose. 

Step 2: Network to learn more.

If after conducting your initial research you are still interested in an expat experience, you’ll want to dig deeper.

• Informational interviews with colleagues, alumni, family, friends, members of professional associations where you are active, or anyone else in your network is a great way to get first-hand information on living and working abroad.  Be sure to prepare properly and remember that networking is a two-way street that should be maintained throughout your professional career.

Step 3: Look inside first.

The return to internal recruiting has been accelerated by COVID-19.  The uncertain business climate that started in 2020 and that we are living through today has forced many companies to freeze or stop altogether external hiring, substituting it for the preferred path of internal recruiting. 

If you work for a company with offices around the globe, you’ll want to explore what your options are through your current employer. Before you check out your company’s job board, try to understand if your company has formal or informal rotational programs.  Here are some ideas which might help you open doors to an expat assignment.

• In many companies, yearly reviews, bonus talks and career development planning are all going on now.  This is the perfect opportunity to speak with your boss or the recruiting team about the likelihood of an expat experience or any kind of rotational program.

• If the option to go abroad is available but no formal program exists, engage a mentor within your company who has completed a short-term project or an overseas assignment.  As I’ve stated in an earlier post, opportunities to work in a regional office can include an M&A project to onboard the latest acquired business; opening a new office, and training and/or hiring staff; rolling out a new product or service in new geographies; introducing new internal tools or a software platform across multiple locations; or onboarding a third-party vendor or strategic partner.

Step 4: Evaluate your skill set.

Aside from what you do functionally (e.g., strategic marketing, corporate finance, supply chain management, etc.), you’ll need to assess how you measure up when it comes to the following skills:

• Adaptability

• Communications

• Cultural awareness

• Emotional intelligence

• Problem solving

• Risk taking

• Self-motivation

• Teamwork

Depending on where you go, there will be a good chance that you will need to learn a foreign language as well.  While your time abroad will enhance the above referenced skills, you will need the basics to get off to a good start. 

Step 5: Test the waters.

While it is difficult to simulate the real scenario of working abroad, there are ways to try it out.  Join a project or committee at work that allows you to engage with colleagues from different regional offices. Take an online class with geographically dispersed students.  If you’re a risk taker and your company has decided that you will work remotely for an extended period of time or maybe you are a freelancer looking for a new environment, you’ll want to look into a new trend of working from anywhere. To stimulate local economies, many countries have developed special programs for remote workers.  Check out Insider’s 16 destinations welcoming remote workers to see how you can work from anywhere.  With just a little bit of paperwork and health insurance, you can find yourself in a dream location.

After the experience, ask yourself the following questions.  Did you like interacting with people from different backgrounds? Were you open to other peoples’ ideas and approaches to problem solving? Did you learn something new about yourself or have an aha moment? Are you more inspired and better at what you do as a result of the experience?  If you answered, “Yes,” to the questions above then an expat experience is worth pursuing. 

Step 6: Study abroad.

I was lucky enough to study abroad during college and business school.  My time abroad during business school opened the door to landing a job in Milan.  Today, there are so many choices.  As educational systems evolve as a result of COVID-19, you can explore hybrid programs that combine classroom and online learning, and in-person travel abroad.  Studying abroad requires a significant commitment in time and resources.  Do your research.  U.S. News has lots of information on a wide range of advanced-degree programs.

Step 7: Be persistent.

As I’ve written in an earlier article for Transitions Abroad, landing an expat job will take lots of work.  There isn’t a mapped-out path so you’ll need to be persistent and resourceful.  Competition locally and externally is fiercer than ever before. However, I’m still a firm believer that with the right amount of work, faith, and persistence you can go as far as you want to go.  Research, plan and take action.  Pursue every possible angle and always reward yourself when you achieve milestones in pursuit of your expat goals.

With all the lockdowns, limitation on travel and waiting for the rollout of vaccination programs, use your free time wisely and move forward with your dream of working abroad.

Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

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