In last week’s newsletter, we mentioned the importance of a smooth family adjustment to an assignment. Just as important, however, is finding a community of like-minded people, either other expatriates or with the local citizens, especially for those on assignment without family support.
An AXA study showed that 9 in 10 expatriates feel isolated in their new country, which can lead to depression and failed assignments. According to the survey, the key factors in this isolation were language barriers, a lack of a support network, and difficulty getting oriented.
To combat this, Living Abroad’s International Relocation Center provides vital resources that allow assignees to prepare for these factors even before they are on assignment. Under Orientation, users will find Learning the Language, which explains the local languages and provides links for learning options.
To help them find a support network, there are even more options in the country report:
The expatriate community: This section provides information on whether the country has a large number of assignees, and what nationalities are present. Many cities have local groups for certain nationalities, or international women’s groups.
Clubs: Being able to continue one’s hobbies can be a major mental health boost. Assignees can find a related list of local social clubs, sports clubs, and volunteer organizations and even contact them in advance of an assignment to begin forming a social circle.
Religious worship: Religion can be a source of comfort in stressful times. While societies vary widely in levels of secularism vs religiosity, we set expectations about local churches, mosques, and other religious institutions. The articles also mention whether services can be found in English or are primarily in the local language.
All these resources can be found under Social Environment. But what about the third factor, difficulty with orientation?
That’s covered, too, both physically and mentally. Expatriates can find transportation resources and city information to help them orient themselves, and also cultural information to allow them to be mentally flexible when interacting with locals.
In stressful situations, we all need community to lean on. By providing your assignees with information on forming these communities both prior to and while abroad, you can help ensure they don’t suffer from isolation and have the mental fortitude to complete a successful assignment.
Written by Kate Havas, GMS-T, Content Manager
