How to succeed as an expat partner

Becoming an expat doesn’t always happen by choice and this is no truer than in the case of the expat assignee, sent abroad as part of their job. Whilst opportunities such as these are, more often than not, to be grabbed by both hands it’s vital that everyone involved feels as much a part of the process as the person leading the way. Supporting a loved one is one thing but how do you go about carving out your own niche in a completely new expat community?

Image source: flickr

It’s life, but not as you know it...

If you’ve found yourself in a new country because of a loved one, it’s easy to forget that this move isn’t just an opportunity for them. This is also a new chapter in your life and whilst things may feel strange at first it’s important that you try to make the most of your situation – who knows what adventures you might have in your new home!

Network, network, network

It’s perhaps no surprise that social networking sites are an invaluable tool for expats. They are a cheap and easy way to keep in touch with friends on the other side of the world but it’s also a way to make new friends and talk to other expats in similar situations to you. There’s a wealth of expat communities online so why not sign up to a forum and you might find that your new friends live a little closer than you expected.

New to social media? Why not read this guest post from expat expert, Robin Pascoe, on the use of social media as a training tool for expats to help you get started.

But remember to keep in touch

Your family and friends back home will always be the first place you turn if things are a little bumpy and it’s important to maintain these relationships whilst you are away – especially for short term postings. It’s likely that everyone is really excited about your new life but they will obviously miss you so why not try setting up a blog or photo diary to document your day-today experiences? That way they can see how much you are enjoying yourself as well as being there for you as you try to get settled.

HSBC Expat has launched a new Hints & Tips site for to help first time and experienced expats get to grips with their new surroundings. You can take a look at the new site by clicking on the link below. Feel free to share your own pearls of wisdom by adding individual tips or creating a list of five.

https://expatexplorer.hsbc.com/hintsandtips/