Working overseas can be an incredible experience for most people. The reasons why working overseas is important for people in today's age is because of the vast cultural differences and resources that a new nation has to offer. When I was growing up in a small town in California, I remember how internally focused most people where (including myself). I had never been out of the country and certainly didn't know that there was a whole different world out there that doesn't share my exact views on life.
I decided to take a trip to Hungary and Slovakia just after high school. This trip would change my perspective on the world entirely and increase my appetite for wanting to work overseas. When I arrived in Hungary, I was amazed at the different lifestyles that people have in Eastern Europe compared to the United States. There are so many luxuries that I take advantage of every day in the states. Most people overseas live a simpler life without many of the American Dream items that we as a society have accumulated throughout our years. It is sad to see, but quite a large part of society determines their worth on these things.
The Danube river was running through the small town of Estergom. It was summer so the heat was definitely more that what I was used to and so were the mosquitoes (an added benefit of stay in a town with a river). We visited many different churches and talked with local people. I could appreciate the simpler things in life and wanted to never go back to the hustle of trying to acquire materialistic products that I did before. One example of having to adapt to the current condition and culture of the area was that people don't shave their armpits (women) and no one wears deodorant. Also the smell of open sewers and exhaust from the vehicles is overbearing at first. But after a while I just got used to the environment and it didn't bother me anymore.
After 2 weeks in Hungary, we went to Slovakia for another two weeks. We traveled by train across some of the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen. The train slipped through small mountains decorated with pine trees. It was incredible and so were my allergies. After arriving at the destination, my eyes were red and itching and I was all congested. People in Slovakia are the friendliest and funny people I have ever met.
Although returning to the U.S. from overseas was bitter sweet, a seed had already been planted. I spent the next six months trying to figure out how I could move to Slovakia and work their fulltime. Although my plans didn't come to fruition, I did learn an important lesson in overseas living experience. It really matters how you approach your experience in a foreign land. If you are open to the idea of not having things exactly the way you used to, and are flexible enough to adapt to a different way of life, then moving overseas is an important part of life's journey. Not everyone is cut out for it however. And trying to force a new requirement on someone that isn't willing to make these changes (a spouse, kids, etc.) can be really difficult.
Learning some of the language before moving to a foreign country is critical. Most people agree that even learning just some basics shows good faith and many people are willing to give you props for doing just that. I would encourage anyone willing to go, to learn greetings and counting to ten.
Author Resource:
Keeping an open mind is important if you want a valuable experience working overseas . If you would like to find out more about international careers , Japan-Go is a website that dedicated entirely about my experience of trying to find a career in Japan.
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