By 
The act of leaving your home country for the betterment of your family back home is a most definitely noble one.
That said, the expat life obviously doesn’t represent the ideal situation for many people thrust into it.
From dealing with loneliness to feeling that you might be missing out on the prime years of your life, there are certainly tons of “what-ifs” and doubt that comes from being an expat.
Oftentimes the best way to face these challenges is by accepting them outright. However, another key element of beating these woes is looking at the big picture, so to speak.
Reality check: no expat’s situation is going to be absolutely perfect.
Rather than dwell on the downsides, perhaps it’s time to assess the upsides of working abroad. No matter what your current situation might be, keep the following in mind as you consider the potential positive expats of living the expat life.
Doing the Right Thing
No matter how you slice it, sending remittance to your home country may be your family’s only shot at a better life. In fact, there really is no “plan B” for remittance-reliant countries as such funds are the only way to fight conditions of poverty and strife.
In short, think about how each and every sacrifice you make living abroad contributes to the well-being of so many people beyond yourself, including future generations. The hard days you face now are building toward happier years down the road.
Discovering Yourself
Even if you miss your family or are plagued by the phenomenon of expat loneliness, keep in mind that this is a prime time to focus on you. There’s the widely held belief that living alone makes you stronger as you learn true independence when it comes to money, decision-making and hobbies.
The takeaway? There’s arguably no better time or way to see what you’re truly made of.
Improving Your Career Marketability
If you’ve moved abroad because the lack of career opportunities at home, you’ve essentially provided yourself a launchpad for your career.
For example, many expats in the United States work in IT and the tech industry: the connections made and skilled learned on these jobs only provides them an upward career trajectory. No matter what your own job might be, look at your time spent abroad as a plus for your future prospects.
Living the Dream
Here’s some food for thought: 91% of people wish they traveled more as the world at large feels stagnant in the current living situation.
The opportunity to live in another country, regardless of the reason, is a privilege that many expats should perhaps cherish. Consider that many people are simply too afraid to take the leap or otherwise don’t have the means to make it happen.
The fact that you’ve taken the leap yourself, even out of necessity, allows you to do what many people only dream about. Once you start making friends, assimilating and essentially connecting to your new culture, you can truly start to feel the positive side of your situation.
Although there certainly well-documented challenges of being an expat, don’t’ neglect the upsides as well. Whether you’re feeling a bit down or aren’t sure if your journey so far has been worth it, keep these pointers in mind to give yourself some much-needed perspective.
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