MOVING overseas? Don’t know the language? Well the situation might not be as desperate as you think. A recent survey from Berlitz Consulting suggested that learning about the culture in the country you are going to, and what’s more, understanding it, is more important than knowing the language.
Interestingly enough, Japanese expatriates are the least satisfied with their living overseas while spouses and families as a whole tend to be less satisfied than the worker in the family. Not really a great surprise but one that does highlight the importance of families integrating and making a real effort to become part of the local community, school and so on. Whilst we don’t have quite so much talk of ‘hardship’ postings nowadays, I for one am a home boy and admire those of you who have the courage to up sticks and move half way round the world.
