Advantages and Disadvantages of Working Abroad

January, 2020

It’s a big, exciting world out there and working abroad is an excellent way to explore it. Moving long distance has its advantages and disadvantages. If you’re looking into living overseas, here are a few things you’ll want to consider.

Pro: Start Fresh

This is your chance to turn over a new leaf and leave your old life behind. You’re moving to a place where your peers have no preconceived notions of who you are. Whether you come as you are or reinvent yourself completely is up to you. You’re a blank canvas!

Relocating with your family? Even better. You’ll be starting a new life and bringing your support system with you. Explore the land and experience what it has to offer together. They’ve got your back.

Moving abroad is an amazing opportunity to get your act together. Deciding what to take with you can be exciting, but stressful. That’s why we’re there to guide you from the very beginning.

Con: Start Over

Moving to a different country brings a whole new set of challenges. There’s specific paperwork to sort out, and lots of documents to file. Starting over can be a daunting task. You’ve carefully crafted your career in Ottawa. Moving abroad means making new friends, and figuring out a new commute on top of adjusting to a new work and living environment.

Solution 

Staying organized is key. Some find comfort in keeping tabs on their paperwork while others don’t. Either way, our team of experts can help. From paperwork to packing, we take the stress out of cross-border moves so you can focus on your new exciting life.

Pro: New Cultures

Did you know that more than three percent of the world’s population lives and works outside the country in which they were born? There’s a whole world of food you’ve never tasted, music you’ve never heard, and people you’ve never met. It’s yours to explore. 

Con: Culture Shock

Culture shock comes in waves. Once the honeymoon phase fades, you’ll find that adjusting to a new way of life isn’t easy. You’ll encounter things you’ve never seen before and struggle to understand them. Language barriers can make life especially difficult. Your new office’s culture could make you feel alienated, the transit system could be confusing, your neighbourhood could be difficult to navigate, your new country could feel crowded. Moving is a big adjustment.

Solution

Give it time. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve experienced culture shock before. If you’ve ever moved, changed jobs, or enrolled in a new school, you know the feeling. Settling in and getting the hang of things can take time. Realize that your feelings are valid, and be patient with yourself. You’ll be a pro soon enough.

Pro: Boost your CV

Not only is traveling a ton of fun, it can make your resumé stronger too! International work experience gives you the opportunity to learn a new language, network with other professionals, see your industry from a new perspective, and add experience to your CV. Working abroad makes you look like a more well-rounded candidate. This can make getting a job back home a lot easier.

Con: Vacation

No two employers are the same. What one may consider excellent work experience, the other might see as a holiday. It’s up to you to defend your time abroad and explain how the skills you earned there are a valuable asset. You worked hard for your money, but making other people see that could be a challenge.

Pro: Make Money

Fun fact: professionals working overseas tend to make higher salaries than their colleagues back home. In fact, according to CNBC, you could make up to 35% more than what you’re currently making in Ottawa. 

Con: Lose Money

The least fun part about making more money is paying more taxes. It’s important to determine your residency status to ensure that you’re paying an appropriate amount. If you’re not sure about your residency status or need help sorting out the details, travel.gc.ca explains it here.

Whatever You Choose, We’re Here For You

We’re proud to be Ottawa’s most reliable moving company. From local to cross-border moves, our team of professionals help make your transition as smooth as it can be. If you’re ready to move overseas, fill out our contact form or give us a call at (613)-244-4444.