5 Lessons I learned from Working Abroad

It was snowy winter of January 2014, when I embarked on my first international experience during MBA days. Since then, I’ve continued to crisscross the world, traveling far and wide and having had the tremendous privilege of living and working in 20+ countries.

Last week, when I returned from Germany after a year of successful Post Merger Integration, I was just looking back at my journey. Personally, working overseas has been an incredible learning experience and my career has been undeniably strengthened by it.

Here are some valuable lessons that I was taught along the way.

Life Lesson #1: You will start Appreciating Small Things in Life

Someone rightly said

"A Great Way to Learn about your Country, is to Leave It.."

Behind those Facebook check-ins and Instagram posts, there are the same old problems which you face at home and infact much more. However, with each passing day, your dreamy expectations start turning into reality and you start making the most of every single moment. And once you return back home, you not only become a little older, but probably a lot wiser too, appreciating small things in Life.

Life Lesson #2: You are more Stronger, than You Think You Are

You don’t know the limits of your strength until you face it ALONE. Resilience is not innate, it’s something you learn with passage of time and circumstances. From searching of food of your choice to apartment hunting in a foreign language, to understand how the insurance system works in a country can really help you to build resilience. Staying calm under pressure is an essential life skill for both personal and professional success.

You are Braver Than You Believe,

Stronger Than You Seem,

Smarter Than You Think,

And Loved More Than You'll Ever Know..

-- A. A. Milne

Life Lesson #3: Money Value of Time

We all have read about Time Value of Money in our Capital Budgeting classes. However, in a typical European life, it’s also important to understand Money Value of Time, wherein the focus is on being punctual, Each time and Everytime.

I still remember, once we had a scheduled meeting at 14:00 hours, and the banker arrived at 13:50 hours in the office compound. Instead of coming up to the office, the banker chose to wait outside and entered sharp at 14:00 hours. Being punctual and valuing other’s time should be an important aspect across the globe.

Life Lesson #4: From Being Interdependent to Independent

When you move especially from Eastern part of the World to the Western part, you end up managing your complete life all alone. From preparing early morning breakfast and lunch so that you are ready for your 8:00 am meeting to attending language classes and cleaning home in the evening hours.

This not only makes you completely independent, but also allows you to learn more about yourself, discover new interests, and probably gain a greater appreciation for all the support your family and friends has given you until now.

Life Lesson #5: It’s okay to Ask for Help

Whether it’s asking for directions or taking help in understanding legal clauses of rental agreement, sometimes it can be tough to swallow your pride and ask for help. But that’s okay.

The more you talk to people and take their help, you will realize that most people are happy to help you. Sometimes, it’s okay to be vulnerable.

I must say, I was absolutely lucky, to have some amazing bunch of people around me.

Lastly, when you move aboard,

You will join a club of having two addresses, two languages and two currencies in your wallet. Not only that, you will also have two personalities and become part of two worlds.

Amidst all this, there is something which remains Universal are those beautiful Smiles..

Kindly share your experience as well.