Portfolio task 2

International travel is easier and more affordable than it used to be and nowadays many people move to new cities and countries to work or study.

Expatriates, however, face many challenges. Firstly, there is the problem of adjusting to a new culture, possibly with customs which may be very different, even alien. Furthermore, expats usually face the difficulty of living in a society with a different first language. Another problem for expats is being cut off from family and friends. This is especially challenging if you are alone, without immediate family members. In addition expats from poorer countries usually find themselves living in more affluent societies, with a higher standard and cost of living; this can lead to financial pressures, particularly for lower-paid workers, who may be exploited both by employers and by recruiting agencies.

What strategies can be used to deal with these challenges? Firstly, with regard to culture clashes, research the new country and its customs. When you arrive, look and learn and ask other experienced expats for advice; remember that this learning process never stops and adaptability is an important key to survival. With regard to language, learn the new first language if you can, but, if not, try to improve your English which is a worldwide language and often used as a lingua franca. If you are lucky enough to be accompanied by spouse and children, being separated from other family and friends is not so difficult to cope with. Even if not, keeping in touch is much easier nowadays with mobiles, Skype, etc. Lastly, social or financial mistreatment by employers or agents is the most difficult problem to deal with. There is no foolproof strategy to cope with this and return to your native country might, in the end, be the only viable solution.

These then are some of the major challenges facing expats and some of the best strategies to deal with them.

318 words.