There are currently close to 53 million expatriates in the world, with an estimated growth of up to 56.8 million by 2017, according to recent research. If you are one of these expats, or are contemplating or planning a move abroad, you may be interested to know about some of the common issues shared by this cohort.
Findings from a survey by the organization InterNations, Expat Insider 2015, show that the most common problems encountered by new expats include:
- the loss of a personal support network
- worries about future finances
- difficulty of maintaining a relationship
- the trouble of making new friends
- language barriers
- simply suffering from culture shock
(Graphic: InterNations)
There are various groups and organizations expats can turn to for assistance in managing issues such as those enumerated in the survey. InterNations touts itself as the leading international organization providing professional and personal networking opportunities for expats.
With about 2 million members in 390 cities around the world, InterNations is the largest global network and information site for people who live and work abroad.
InterNations offers global and local networking both online and face-to-face: At around 4,000 monthly events and activities, expatriates have the opportunity to meet with other global minds. Online services include country and city guides created by a team of professional writers as well as guest contributions about life abroad. To ensure the quality of the network, InterNations membership is by approval only.
For more information, visit www.internations.org.
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