I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.

— Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer Abroad

If you want to get the most out of your travel experience, avoid becoming the stereotype of the “ugly” tourist. Try to fit in as a local.

The unprepared business traveller thinks business is the same everywhere.

If you are traveling for work, get the basics down on where you are going.  When meeting business colleagues or customers, make a good impression by knowing local business etiquette such as how to greet and dress for success. Body language will also play a big part in making a good first impression. Be sure to understand what is acceptable. InterNations is a great resource to start your research on business etiquette. The article, Business Etiquette Blunders from around the World shares first-hand experiences from expats around the globe.  Also, CT Business Travel’s business etiquette infographic provides helpful information to get you started on the right foot.

Observe, listen and learn.  From the subject of small talk to who leads a meeting and makes decisions will help you understand office dynamics.  Avoid going in blind and making a brutta figura and being labeled the “ugly” business traveller.

The “ugly” tourist acts like he is at home.

Respect the rules, know the culture. Everything from putting your feet up on a train seat, to how you address a sales clerk in a shop, to following COVID-19 protocols, know how to behave.  Don’t draw attention to yourself by screaming and acting like an out-of-place fool. This includes being a loud drunk in a public square, which will undoubtedly make you the “ugly” tourist. Everyday things like tipping, eating lunch at your desk, to actually knowing what a bidet is used for might seem odd for one person but completely natural to another.  Read Insider’s 23 things that are considered ‘normal’ in the US but that the rest of the world finds weird to see how we Americans seem strange to the rest of the world.

The “ugly” tourist is always making comparisons.

This is how we do it, and it’s just better our way. Turning your nose up at food or customs that vary from yours will not get you far.  Leave your superiority complex at home or you will certainly be labeled the “ugly” tourist.  Constantly making comparisons on everything from what you eat for breakfast to how business is conducted, is a big mistake.  Go down this path and you will not make many friends nor will you learn much from your experience.  To get the most out of your time abroad, go with the flow and be open minded.

Travel, whether it be for business or for pleasure, is an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone.  Learn, have fun and take advantage of every opportunity. If you do, you will return home that much richer than when you left. By doing just a little bit of preparation, you can ensure that you will not be labeled the “ugly” tourist.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

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Image: iStock.com/AleksandarNakic.

Even with the ongoing pandemic, employees still show interest in expat assignments.  MetLife’s 18th annual U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study (EBTS) states that roughly 30 percent of American employees are interested in an expat job with Gen Z and Millennials leading the way.  

This is great news, take it from someone who has greatly benefited from an expat experience.  As I’ve mentioned in an earlier blog post, an expat job is worth it.  From personal to professional development, an overseas multi-cultural experience will help you know yourself better and advance your career. 

Expats then and now

A lot has changed since I arrived in Italy 15 years ago.  The most notable change is what we are all living through today, the coronavirus disease COVID-19.  The current pandemic adds a new layer of complexity to how we approach work abroad.

Expats now have an added level of stress to manage.  Aside from the traditional stress factors such as relocation, assimilation, language, etc., today’s expats are coping with working from home (WFH), job uncertainty, severe restrictions on movement, or lockdown scenarios abroad.

As I mentioned in my first blog post, there are many benefits to taking an expat job. However, just as there are benefits, there are also personal and professional questions that you will need to ask yourself before you head overseas.  I address these issues in my survival guides one and four published on Transitions Abroad. 

The new “normal” for expats

Many of us are approaching a third wave of COVID-19 with new lockdowns and limitations on travel.  As we wait for a vaccine, it is important that we learn from this experience and apply that learning to our planning for an expat job.

Once we get COVID-19 under control, and before you step on a plane, you will want to factor in the following.

Five considerations to make before taking an expat job

1. Healthcare

COVID-19 has shown us that we need to protect ourselves.   If you are going to work abroad be sure you understand how the healthcare system works.  Read the fine points of your medical plan.  Trust me, it will not be the same as what you have now.  If you go to a country with socialized medicine, you may be covered under a national healthcare system.  As an employee of a multinational or even a mid-size company, you may have access to private insurance as well.  This is important.  While it is reassuring to know that you will be covered by the national healthcare system, some systems are overloaded and thus basic services may require months of waiting.  If you have access to private insurance you may need to use it.  You should discuss medical coverage in any scenario – pandemic or no pandemic.  Make sure you understand how to access it once you are abroad. Don’t wait for the next health crisis to figure out how your medical coverage works.

2. Financial wellbeing

Financial security is always important. You’ll want to plan for an emergency that could bring about a furlough, the abrupt end to your assignment, or even unemployment.  Employee assistance programs that include financial planning or coaching will not only help you through the good times but also will provide some peace of mind during uncertain times.  Programs that support budgeting and debt management may also be useful for your time away from home. Lastly, know your tax liability at home and in the country where you are doing your expat assignment.  If your company is sending you overseas for an extended period of time, ask about tax preparation support and bilateral tax agreements to avoid double taxation.

3. Semi and full lockdowns

Limitations on movement or being confined to your new home abroad can cause anxiety that leads to stress. Outside of confinement and limited social interaction, travel restrictions may impact your ability to return home. Restrictions on travel may also make your job difficult if you are a frequent traveler. If you require a work permit, you will want to understand the consequences of a late renewal.  Staying longer than your work permit allows, may impact your ability to obtain medical care, get paid, travel, and can even have a negative effect on your taxes.  Be sure that your employer has a plan B should you get stuck abroad. Lastly, will you be able to spend long periods of time indoors or within a short radius of your home?  You probably already know the answer to this question as almost all of us are going through this now.

4. WFH abroad

As mentioned above, being confined to your home can cause anxiety and stress.  Sometimes we take it for granted, but having reliable internet at home will be crucial for work and personal time. Make sure it is easily accessible from your new home.  On a professional front, working remotely is not for everyone.  Be sure to set up regular touch points with your supervisor and team.  Additionally, find a local buddy who can help you navigate the rules and regulations in your host country should you not be able to reach your company sponsor.  You’ll also want to set boundaries between work and personal time. When you don’t yet have a social network, it is easy to be “always on” at work.  This will only lead to burnout and health problems. Lastly, be sure to have what you need should you get stuck indoors.

5. Visiting family

There’s no substitute for family.  One of the toughest parts of being abroad is not seeing family and friends from home on a regular basis.  Prior to the pandemic, I visited with family in Italy or in the States several times per year.  With the pandemic, it will be more than one year since seeing my family in person. This has been tough, but I am thankful for the numerous ways in which I can connect with my family in the meantime.  If you decide to travel, follow to a T the rules – quarantine where it is required. Trying to go around the rules by flying through other countries to mask where you are coming from is part of the reason we are where we are today.  If it’s too difficult to get home, and if you don’t need to be there, don’t go.  The risk is too high. You could catch and spread the disease.

The expat job will live on

Given that a majority of employees still want to work abroad and the business case for employers is still strong, I’m confident that the new “normal” will include international experiences in some degree.  These are undoubtedly challenging times. Once we have turned the page on COVID-19, we can build our learnings into future plans for successful business travel or work abroad.

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