Expat Survey: The Results Are In

As promised, this month I’m sharing the findings from my recent expat survey, based on the input I received from 65 respondents. Thank you to each and every one for taking the time to answer my questions and for being so honest with your responses.

Here’s a look at what you shared:

1. Who Responded?
By nationality, more than half of the respondents are British (57%/equivalent to 37 individuals), one fifth are from the USA (20%/13 individuals) and one sixth are from Spain (17%/11 individuals). Other nationalities to respond include Irish, Norwegian, Moldovan, Canadian, Bolivian, Indian, South African and Australian. Note, 17% (11) of respondents have two nationalities and 2% (1) have three, which muddies the waters slightly but you get the idea. 

2. Where Are They Based?
By host country, of those currently living abroad (78.5% of the total/51 individuals), 44 folks call Europe (including the UK) home. Others are based in Asia (3), Australia/Oceana (2), North America (1) and Africa (1). 

Of those who are no longer living abroad (21.5% of the total/14 individuals), most were expats in Europe (including the UK) and/or North America, with a handful having lived for a time in Asia, Australia/Oceana and South America. 

3. Expatriate Tenure
Almost two thirds of respondents have been or were expats for 6 years or more 63.5%/41 individuals), whilst one fifth have been or were expats for 3 years or less 20%/13 individuals). 

4. Reasons for the Move

In terms of the motivations behind the moves, they included:
 - for work, own or partner's (62%/40 individuals);
 - for the adventure (20%/13 individuals); and
 - for other reasons such as to study, for love or for a better quality of life (18%/12 individuals).

5. The Best Laid Plans
When it comes to the permanency of moves or otherwise, almost one third of respondents extended moves that were originally intended to be temporary (29.2%/19 individuals), whilst just under one tenth moved permanently and later ended up returning home or moving elsewhere (9.2%/6 individuals), which just goes to show that the best laid plans do often go awry. 

6. Settling In
In terms of settling in, almost three quarters of respondents said they felt settled in their host country within 2 years (72.5%/47 individuals) compared with a minority who needed four years or more to establish roots (8%/5 indivudals). 

7. Honeymoon Period
Around half of respondents experienced a honeymoon period (54%/35 individuals), mostly characterised by a sense of novelty, excitement, and discovery, and typically lasting for up to 12 months. 

8. Biggest Challenges
The top challenges of moving to a new country include language barriers (for 46% of respondents/30 individuals), work-related issues (42%/27 individuals), cultural adaptation (40%/26 individuals), and legal/administrative matters (38.5%/25 individuals).

9. Overcoming Challenges
Making friends (74%/48 individuals) and establishing a local support network (51%/33 individuals) were the most effective ways of overcoming those challenges.

10. Proudest Accomplishments:
Building a new life overseas (79%/51 individuals), forming a strong friend network (57%/37 individuals), and mastering the local language (49%/32 individuals) were the accomplishments respondents were most proud of.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your comments, which were as detailed and candid as they were varied. One participant shared how helpful it would be for an expat coach to work with recently deployed expats to help normalise the inevitable rollercoaster of emotions that many individuals experience during their first 1-2 years in the host country. This really resonated me for two reasons:

Firstly, it reminded me of my own journey during my first few years in Madrid, which ranged from me crying in the loo at work (as I struggled to manage a team and report our findings with my sketchy Spanish) to shrieking with joy and delight in a local bar near Plaza Olavide as Spain clinched its Euro Cup and then World Cup soccer victories.  

Secondly, because it got me thinking about the rollercoaster of emotions that meaningful change of any kind involves. On reflection, the range of feelings I experienced during those first few years in Madrid was not dissimilar to the ones I lived through during my first year at university. Or when I made the leap from the safety of my corporate job at PwC to go it alone as a freelance translator. Or more recently as I've been transitioning from translator to life coach. 

Clearly, change is different every time and everyone experiences change differently. But common themes come up time and again. In the mix for me there's typically: clarity around what I want to acheive; nervousness and self-doubt about how best to acheive it; fierce determination that I WILL get there in the end; pride at securing small wins along the way; excitement around the novelty as the new situation unfolds; a few more nerves. And then bam. Before I know it, I've acheived precisely the change I set my mind to all those weeks, months or years ago. 

Making intuitive decisions that I feel passionate about, pushing myself out of my comfort zone, learning from the lows and relishing in the highs is something that I realise now I've done countless times and I've done well. And, as clichéd as it sounds, supporting others do the same feels like my calling. 

As we all know, change is both exhilarating and daunting. It can fill us with excitement one moment and leave us feeling uncertain the next. Yet, it's an inevitable part of life, shaping our paths and molding our experiences.

As we find ourselves entering the second month of 2024 (time truly flies!), I invite you to consider: What change is calling you? If you take a moment to really think about that. What one change would you like to make in your life right now?

Perhaps it would be something seemingly small, like committing to a healthier lifestyle or pursuing a new hobby. Or maybe it would be something grander, like embarking on a new career path or moving to a different corner of the world.

Whatever change lies in your heart, know that you don't have to navigate it alone. Whether it's a gentle nudge or a bold leap, I'm here to offer my support, inspiration, and some healthy challenge every step of the way.

Here's to embracing change and embarking on new adventures together, both at home and abroad.