An international assignment is an exciting proposition, offering the chance for career advancement, travel, and a new way of life. There’s much to consider before signing the expatriate contract, however, and most prospective expats carefully weigh the pros and cons before committing to an overseas relocation.
Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available to assist families as they grapple with this life-changing decision. Books, websites, and videos are invaluable sources of information. Cross-cultural training helps expats establish realistic expectations of life abroad, guides them through the stages of culture shock, and provides an overview of the proposed destination. Perhaps the most helpful tool throughout the decision-making process, though, is the look-see visit.
Advance Preparation Leads to a Successful Look-See Visit
The look-see is not a sightseeing trip; it’s a reconnaissance mission. Its purpose is to give future expatriates a greater awareness of daily life in the new country. Approaching the look-see visit as potential residents, not as tourists, is therefore vital to its success.
Visiting the host country doesn’t excuse expats from doing their homework. Arriving unprepared wastes precious time, and much of the scut work should be taken care of before boarding the plane. This is especially true for those handling the visit solo, but expats working with destination service providers need to lay some groundwork as well.
“Research, research, research,” says Judy Rickatson, a Relocation Specialist with Welcomehome Relocations. “It’s important to find out as much as you can, if only to know what questions to ask.” She points out that the internet is jam-packed with travel sites, expat forums, and local blogs, which make investigating even the most remote locations easier than ever. Social networking can even put expats in contact with locals or other expats at the new location.
Pre-departure preparation also includes finding the addresses of locations that must be visited, and making appointments if necessary. Arriving with an itinerary in hand will give each day structure, which is especially important considering everything that must be accomplished within the confines of a short stay.
What to do During the Look-See Visit
Judy advises starting with a general orientation, which entails buying a good map and exploring residential neighbourhoods and the central business district or downtown core. If possible, a full day should be allotted for this initial excursion. This is where expat social networking can pay off, since those who are not working with a relocation consultant would benefit from the regional knowledge of a long-term expatriate or local.
Other items on the to-do list:
- Visit several shops (gas station, supermarket) to determine the availability and prices of everyday items. Check to see if clothing is available in the required sizes. (This is sometimes a problem in Asian countries, where people tend to be smaller than many Westerners.)
- Locate hospitals and pharmacies, and find out if prescribed medications are available.
- Allow at least a full day to visit prospective local or international schools. (Note that appointments should be made well in advance.)
- Test drive the transit system, and examine road conditions and traffic patterns. Judy recommends keeping an eye on rush hour traffic before deciding which neighbourhood to live in. “Don’t assume all traffic travels into the city centre in the morning and out again at night,” she cautions. “If there’s a large industrial area, for example, the heaviest flow might be across town, or even from downtown out to the suburbs.”
- If the sponsoring organization doesn’t handle the acquisition of identity cards, driver’s licenses, etc., visit the appropriate government offices and confirm what documents – and how many copies – will be required after the move.
- Check out potential banks. Bear in mind that even if home country banks have branches in the host country, they will be regulated by the local central bank.
- Although it’s tempting to start the visit with house-hunting, Judy recommends saving this till last. “By the time you’ve seen and done all the above, you’ll have a much better idea of where you’d like to live,” she explains. Allow at least one day for viewing properties, and a second day for negotiating a lease, signing documents, paying deposits, etc. Expats who are negotiating without a real estate agent must be absolutely sure they’re dealing with the real owner of the property before handing over any money.
There’s a lot to accomplish during a look-see visit, but prospective expats should remember to take time to relax and enjoy their new surroundings as well. Soaking up the ambiance of the host country and meeting local people are important components of the visit. As the look-see draws to a close, all these elements will come together to answer the crucial question: “Can we see ourselves living here?”
Readers who are interested in expatriate issues may also enjoy Cross-Cultural Training is Essential for Expat Spouses, How to Adjust to Expat Life, and Expat Spouses Need Overseas Relocation Planning Help from HR.
Maria Foley - Former expat spouse Maria Foley understands how overwhelming living abroad can be, having spent seven years outside her home country of ...
