Originally from Poland, Andrzej Olkiewicz is the author of The Art of Being An Imigrant and is a popular lecturer. The book drew a lot of attention when it was published earlier this year, and several international editions are in the works. The book will also be the basis for a new television series in Sweden.
Globalization has opened new markets for many companies both small and large. Often, these company expansions require employees to live abroad for shorter or longer periods of time.
I myself have worked abroad for many years as a geologist. In places like Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, I’ve met people from around the world, including numerous Swedes and Americans who had been sent there by their companies. Some of these people had adjusted to their new homes and enjoyed life, while others wanted to go home from the first day. I was one of those who liked living overseas. Perhaps this was because I’d been an immigrant before, both in Denmark and Sweden; these earlier experiences helped me create a ”map” that prepared me for the difficulties that arise when one moves to a new country and the emotional reactions one faces in a new place. I was already provided with ways to adjust to the changes.
Many companies could be much more successful in their foreign expansions if they better prepared their employees and their employees’ families for these moves. International research shows that nearly 30 percent of employees sent abroad interrupt their stay prematurely because they—or their families—have trouble adjusting to their new surroundings. There is also a sizable group of people who remain abroad but are so unhappy that they perform below their abilities.
People who are moving to another culture seldom realize how dramatic the changes will be. They are unprepared to suddenly be a foreigner, to be outside the established social order, to not be able to read all the social codes. This can be just as difficult when traveling to a neighboring country as a faraway one. The risk is that frustration will lead you to misinterpret much of what you encounter, not least the behavior of the native population.
One of the most normal reactions to the stress of adjusting to a new society is to constantly compare the new country to the homeland and to glorify the home nation’s culture and lifestyle. This is a very human response, and all people do this to some extent. However, continual comparisons of this sort actually prevent us from getting closer to our new culture.
Companies will benefit in the long run by investing resources in preparing employees for their move abroad. Obviously, language skills and cultural information are important. But just as important—if not more so—is educating employees on how they might react when they encounter a new culture, and giving them advice and constructive ways to deal with the frustrations of an unfamiliar setting.
Read more about the author and the book at www.olkiewicz.se
