The advantages and disadvantages of working abroad

The advantages and disadvantages of working abroad


Nowadays we are driving cars from South Korea, we are wearing clothing designed in the U.S. and manufactured in Taiwan. Much more examples could bemade in regard to the subject und discussion. The reason for this is the growing globalisation. Regarding this trend we are just at the beginning, not only through the products we use, which are produced all over the world, as well as the internet. Today firms have not all their facilities - research & development, production, distribution, ... - in one country. For example Daimler Chrysler, the design of the M-class was developed in Florida/U.S., the technical part (body, electronic, etc. ) was developed in Germany and the engines were produced in South Africa. Consequently employees have to be mobile. Big firms - so called global players - want their employees to work abroad.

We must consider the advantages and disadvantages. Disadvantages are for example that you get no sick pay like in Germany, when working for a firm in a different country. A well as the holidays in Germany, which are very high with 25 days p.a. in comparison to 5 days in the U.S.! There are also countries where you are not allowed to drink alcohol (or you need a special permission / purchasing license), to walk hand-in-hand with your wife or girlfriend or even to eat meat from a porc or a cow. Another disadvantage is the clothing, in most islamic countries countries everybody has to cover legs and arms, so shorts and t-shirt for men or tops and hot pants for women can cause offence, dressing conservatively will reflect a cultural sensitivity which earns respect. This leads to the religion, if you are not aware of the local religious circumstances you can make big mistakes and get into big trouble. If youare travelling on your own to a foreign country to find a job, you can run out of funds that can force you to return home. If you are not finding immediately new friends, crisis can even seem more severe, than at home with the help of friends or family. Other disadvantages are that you have to get used to bureaucracy, which could be even slower and more difficult than in germany. The financial circumstances are also very important: maybe you have to pay higher taxes or you need a special health care insurance. In some countries abroad could the weather be even worser than in Germany, but it could also be vice versa. As well as shopping facilities, getting a small Lego toy for the birthday for your child somewhere on the countryside of Alaska, could be very difficult job! Same circumstances with leisure activities: in some countries you can hardly choose, because the offers are extremly numerous, in other countries you are not allowed to go out in dusk because of unsafe political-circumstances, racisim or terrorism. Some other facts which depend on the country and personality of a person who works abroad, are the different life conditions, the different social behaviour and also the different working times. In Dubai it is common to work from 8 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm with an afternoon "siesta" break and the standard working week is from Saturday to Wednesday with a Thursday and Friday weekend. Even during the holy month Ramadan the working week is modifiedwith government employees working a shortened day from 9 am to 1 pm.

If you think about the topic carefully tere are evenmore advantages. Working abroad can improve ones language skills, which is very good if you apply for a job later. As well as gaining business experience in different countries. To sum these 2 points up: it is a positive item in the CV and you can gain credits in comparison to applicants who have not worked abroad. Moreover you meet lots of different and interesting people which can give you new opinions or even support you to do business or climbing up the social- and business-ladder. Another positive argument for workingabroad is that you can work where other people pass their few holidays, if you are working in a "holiday country". For example in the Middle East which becomes rapidly one of the most popular holiday destinations, not only because of the leisure activities like golf, water sports and horse riding, also the temperatures make it possible to enjoy year round sunshine (mean daily maximum temperatures are 24°C in January and 41°C in July) or the shopping facilities. The U.A.E. is perhaps best known for its amazing shopping: prestigious fashio houses have outlets with lower prices, also jewellery is popular, available to suit all tastes and budgets. Several firms are offering for their staff attractive financial benefits or perks, because working in a land for away from home. For example 2 two-way-flights each year or spare time-activities to integrate the "new" employees from abroad. This brings me to my next advantage: you have to integrate into another maybe multicultural society. This touches every point of daily life: history, language, traditions, religion, arts and food.

I think that with more students looking for work than jobs are available, it is really no surprise that working abroad is becoming an increasing and unquestionable option.
Living overseas is much more than just an experience of different people, personalities, work ethics, history, etc., it can also provide you with invaluable job and life skills which will opne doors for you when you look for further steps on the carrer-ladder. With the competitive job market today, employers are on the look for potential employees with an extra edge. Having taken up residence for a period of time in another country demonstrates this ability, to be well organized, flexible, adaptable and able to handle new and stressful situations.
In conclusion, I would like to say that everyone has to decide for his / her own if he or she wants to work abroad.