risk survey results

EXPATS AND RISK-TAKINGSURVEY CONDUCTED BY:

@isointer@EngandCulture

https://www.facebook.com/englishandculture

https://www.facebook.com/expateverydaysupportcenter

www.expateverydaysupportcenter.com

www.englishandculture.com

SURVEY TAKEN IN MAY 2012

64 ANONYMOUS EXPAT RESPONDANTS

ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ARE REPRESENTED

IN THIS PRESENTATION

NORMAN VISS AND

LINDSAY MCMAHON

28.1

20.320.3

31.3

How long have you been an expat?

< 2 years3-5 years5-10 years>10 years

1.6

37.5

46.9

14.1

How much of a risk-taker are you?

I hate to take risks and will avoid them at all costI will take moderate risk if outcome is fairly predictableI can take a high level of risk if I have done all possible researchI will take signifi-cant risk whether researched or not

70.3

3.1

26.6

How risky is expat life compared to non-expat life, in your opinion?

More riskyLess riskyThe same

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

14.1

32.8

7.8

4.7

32.8

18.8

45.3

4.7

10.9

3.1

25

7.8

21.9

9.410.9

1.6

28.1

15.6

12.5

20.3

Three most common risks expats face

Other expat risks mentioned

14.110.9

48.4

26.6

How aware were you of risks you might be taking?

Complete naiveteDidn't want to think about riskSomewhatVery muchObsessively (0%)

14.1

31.3

32.8

14.1

7.8

How has actual risk matched expectation of risk?

Much lessMuch moreJust as expectedDon't knowImpossible to say

32.8

18.8

43.8

4.7

How has your willingness to take risk changed since you became an expat?

Not at all

I now want to take less risk

I now am able to take more risk

What is risk?

Moved to three different countries in last 10 year

Not having a better grasp of the language

Not following through on professional opportunity - giving up as it seemed easier to not pursue. In retrospect I should have taken the risk.

Moving without fully understanding living costs

Getting serious medical care in rural Asia

Professional advancement

Subjecting my kids to extreme stress

Not being able to be there when family members are sick/ dying

Starting a business If you go for drinks be moderate and always have a backup plan for a taxi or transportation

Not being aware of social rules

Giving up my former network (working as a freelancer)

Waded into local community despite language/cultural differences

Giving up my career to support my ex-husband's career.

Leaving friends and family behind and starting fresh

Job insecurity when returning home after a 2 year assigment in our company's head quarter

The cost of life (vs. income) weren't clear to us before we relocated

High change in cultural environment

Moving to a country where I knew no one

Give up my job, and thus important pension benefits

Buying a house Missing income opportunities / not able to work because of visa

I moved to a country with...no job security and high unemployment

More international travel

Gave up my own job to trail after spouse

RISKS EXPATS TAKE – IN THEIR OWN WORDS

More expressive with family and partner

Trusting local completely while others say not to do that.

Buying local property I've started my own business in the middle of the current 'recession'

Not me personally, but saw expats married men engaged in extramarital affairs/prostitutes because it was so easy to do, no fear of consequences

Leaving a familiar place to go to a complete unfamiliar and different place

Riding in cars without seatbelts in countries with high accident rates

Buy à house without résidentiel visa

Crossing third-world borders

Insisting on my own cultural norms

Leaving a secure job Not wearing helmets Started a new business and a social networking community

Not factoring in private health care

Relying on my partners expat career to provide the income - never intended but just happened and now the risk is he loses it and I don't have the prof caacity to even half way match his earnings.

Risk of depression from estrangement from family or familiar routine

Eating questionably sanitary food regularly

Savings Not creating deep friendships as I thought I will probably move on but now I might not so have to start forming friendships.

Career reorientation

Moving expenses are always unpredictable. Not knowing with certainty what state/country I'm going to be in 3 or 4 months from now

Praising your home country to be a better place

Reduce my (physical) social network

Changed careers Leaving my family on the other side of the ocean.


Getting out of the system of my country of origin

Different cost of living in the 2 countries

Pregnant and give birth in country that use much less medical intervantion than the country i come from

Difficult return to the country

Moving to a country where I didn't know the language

Not to be around when my parents age and get sick

Moving abroad without already having a job

Kids have to keep adapting to new environment

...where I'm not a native speaker of either of the languages they speak here

Drop in income/ retirement savings

Bought a house in a foreign country

More open to mental health issues and isolation

Leaving everything behind and start a complete new life.

Return to home country

I bought a property which I am struggling to sell and now cannot rent for an amount that will cover my mortgage because of the points system

Leave a secured job at home to go abroad on a promise of enhanced professional development which turned out to be true

Creating a life far from the usual

Living in an old soviet apartment building (risk of gas explosion, electrical fire)

Change compagnies Eating foods without knowing their source/safety

Trying anything and everything on the menu

Travelling alone in unfamiliar areas with no local language skill

Engaging in antigovernment platforms

Got married! Expecting family to fit in with plans


Stress of day to day things in another language

Crossing the street.... seriously

Travel Established friendship strains with distance and romantic ventures are interrupted.

Discussing political and religious issues

Established entirely new social structure of friends and activities

Risk my children losing their American identity.

Not having any job insurance

Lack of insurance coverage

Register my son to daycare onlt after arriving altough i was told the demand is very high for not many places

Isolation Choosing to live in local environment rather than an expat onclave

Have nothing to fall back on if my marriage would fail

You lower your expectation so much so it lower your standard

...and have no support network like family

Lots of job changes Adapting another culture, not sticking to your comfort zone and other ex-pats

Pension Transfer to a new country with no professional, financial and moral support but managed and thrived anyhow

Having children abroad (in not-Everwestern country)

Eating local food where hygiene was questionable

Begin my own company

Venturing into regions without notifying others of whereabouts

Hiring help from my own country

Taking 9 yr old son away from all familiarty - he now has reactive attachment disorder


Decision to move without knowing the city

Challenge the host culture

Learning the public transportation system instead of driving

Risky modes of travel

Employer strategy changed leaving the job less than expected

Excessive drinking Being open to strangers (in a new place one can try to be more open in light of not having the established network)

Not knowing the language

Going unmarried Traveled to political hotspots

FIGHTing for my children's rights are patients (ADHD & Autism)

Investment Starting a new business

Getting pregnant and having a baby overseas

Financial

Making new friends and exposing myself

Risky investments Being subjected to landlord whims

Walking streets alone at night

Thinking skillset and high work ethics will vouch for further work in cultures which are completely "who you know biased"

Moving to a foreign country by myself as a woman

Going without a work visa

Walked the streets of huge cities in China by myself

Joining a work force when my language was not perfect

Buying property and renting it out


Not really understanding whether package is good in context of local terms and conditions

Driving illegally Trying to meet people and fit in

Going without considering cultural differences

Riding in a car with my children without seatbelts - no choice but did it often

Totally involved in a culture I never thought I would understand

Trusted other expat businesses without taking references

Moving to an area we'd done no research on and only visited once

Income Leaving well paid long term jobs back in London

Stability Started a new business and a social networking community

Leaving my career plans behind

Eating in risky restaurants


How have you experienced that other cultures look at risk differently than you or your home culture

does?

No I haven't. People have always emigrated to search for what they view as a better life, prepared or not.

My home culture is living day by day. my current country is plan at least 1 year ahead for all eventualities.

Portugal - people prefer not to take risks - this is an extremely risk adverse culture. Everything is conducted within the context of what and who people know. In my home culture the UK - generally people are more risk tolerant - however, when I go home I realise how risk adverse many people are, settling with mediocre jobs and incomes and not daring to risk their average status co - even though if they would say they were not particularly happy. Interestingly a family member asked me whether we were realising how lucky we were - the other day when I was back visiting. This was such a strange comment to me as I don't see it as luck, I see our lives as a result of decisions, choices taken all with associating risks - ones which they would never entertain.

I think since the infrastructure where I live is not so developed, a lot of the things we see as dangerous. We get spoiled in the West.

It is my impression that in The Netherlands people are willing to take more risks than in my home country. The degree of trust in government policies, organizational rules and the easy access to information make actions appear not so risky.

Yes. not so much the country I live in at the moment, but especially in less developed countries that I traveled/worked in, people didn't really understand how one could quit a good job and just go abroad without the security of having an income. (which is logical, given their circumstances)

I think in my country (Israel) we take much more risks compare to other cultures and we used to leave in unsafe environment. i think other cultures see us as flexible and not put too much deep thought into things.


does? (This is a response from one person…..)

1. I guess it's a fact that mostly people who are willing to take a minimum risk will go abroad as an expat.

2. Risk may be a monetary issue. It absolutely depends on the country and its system you are from. e.g. If you are used to European full social services and good infrastructure (free education, healthcare system, public transportation etc.) you may have the feeling of taking more risk. If you are e.g. American and move to EU you will be more than happy.

3. Last but not least there is the risk of the cultural gap which seems to me being the biggest "risk". Even "Western" countries differ. Lots of expats are not sensitive and try to solve problems as they are used to in their home country. But this won't work. Most people are afraid of changes and adapting. Actually, if they can't find a new balance they'll end up isolated, desperate and unhappy soon. I am convinced that getting in contact with locals is the key to settle-in and feeling home. I experienced that the more open minded people are and the less they compare things the better they like their new home.

Yes. not so much the country I live in at the moment, but especially in less developed countries that I traveled/worked in, people didn't really understand how one could quit a good job and just go abroad without the security of having an income. (which is logical, given their circumstances)

The US encourages risk-taking and holds up entrepreneurs, visionaries and risk-takers as role models (e.g., 'pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps', hard work + education = success). The Dutch believe strongly in no one person sticking out more than the group (they are big on saying 'the blade of grass that sticks his head out will be cut off'). Too much success is perceived as arrogance and self-centeredness.

Well, interestingly enough, most of the Germans I met would not be willing to move to another country in pursuit of adventure. They are generally quite comfortable here in their protective bubble. I wonder how much of that has to do with the fact that they have six weeks of vacation to travel so they feel like they've seen the world. The quality of life is pretty good here in Munich, so I can see why they have a hard time leaving. Though I think it is sad, because it limits their understanding of the world at large.


does?

(this is a response from one person……)

I think it's evolving in my expat country. I'm a 20-something person living in Spain, and the unemployment rate is ridiculously high for this demographic here.

So a lot of Spanish 20-somethings are thinking about moving abroad to find work, but they have traditionally minimized risk by living at home with their parents until they get married.

Looking at it in terms of being an expat, I'd say this is a similar outlook to the view of risk in my home country (I'm British and grew up in the U.S.) In the U.S., people my age are also looking further away from home and risking more in order to find paid work (though moving countries is not as common or easy as it is within the E.U.).Well, interestingly enough, most of the Germans I met would not be willing to move to another country in pursuit of adventure.

They are generally quite comfortable here in their protective bubble. I wonder how much of that has to do with the fact that they have six weeks of vacation to travel so they feel like they've seen the world. The quality of life is pretty good here in Munich, so I can see why they have a hard time leaving. Though I think it is sad, because it limits their understanding of the world at large.


does?

Much in the same way.

Most cultures, including my own, are more risk averse than I am. I guess that is why I am a loner term expat. Always looking for the adventure.

Germans (where I was born and raised) seem to be much more concerned about taking risks than the people that I met when living in California for 2 years.

Change is seen with various points of vies in various cultures. somewhere it is positive, somewhere very risky and negative. Ex-pats, on the whole feel like they have made big changes and so try to minimise internal changes that could be positive. many prefer living in denial.

People live their life more day by day and seem much happier and less worried.

Certainly western societies are more risk adverse. Often too afraid to step outside own comfortzone

every culture sees different things as risky; Western people like to avoid health, financial and educational risks I think. Asian people like to avoid being casted away by the group, financial security is important to them as well I think. Life/health is less important to them I think. Arab people avoid loss of face, loss of power, loss of image. Latinos like to avoid loss of face, loss of financial security, loss of image... For Africans loss of financial security is also risky... Life/health is a bitt less important as for westeners Just my opinion.

Having helped people tweet themselves out of danger during the Arab Spring uprisings from my expat office in Holland, I am more accutely aware at how others will risk their lives for political freedom from oppression. I also now see how brave the migrant workers fom Mexico were to traverse living in my incredibly bigoted home town of Wenatchee in Washington state (USA)...I will never look at them with hard eyes again and I will never judge someone for not learning a foreign-to-them language "fast enough"!!

Yes, Africans sometimes take the risk of accepting employment without healthcare benefits for their families, not realizing that this can bankrupt them in the USA


does?

Western teaching is about developing the individual, the eastern approach is focussed on the good of the group. In the west we value courage and taking risks sometimes only using the heart. In the east it's about taking a more conservative and measured approach and taking time to weigh up the options before taking a risk, focussing more on the head as opposed to the heart when making a decision relating to risk.

Cultures maybe but mostly individuals. In my experience, it's not so much about the country than it is about the background (i.e. city people vs. country people)

Germans (where I was born and raised) seem to be much more concerned about taking risks than the people that I met when living in California for 2 years.

I think in my country (Israel) we take much more risks compare to other cultures and we used to leave in unsafe environment. i think other cultures see us as flexible and not put too much deep thought into things.

Different cultures deal with risk very differently. I am a recruiter and I speak to different nationalities. Southern European cultures are more likely to move here without knowing anyone and with nowhere to live without really looking into it

Culture may influence risk-taking behavior, but so does individual personality. Some people are less daunted or simply don't think ahead when striking out in the world.

Leaving home, being mobile is a risk to lifestyle that is often resisted.

I find the Dutch don't take risks - they claim they are in a recession and refusing to spend when other countries are suffering more

In part of the Islamic world, I've heard people say that trying to avoid risk is defying the will of Allah.

Question not clear


does?

I think my culture is more risk taking and people have been through a lot. My host cultures are more capitalist (hence uncertain) societies hence perhaps they like stability and wouldn't dare to challenges bosses etc.

The American culture is not quick to take risks, and are very comfortable living quiet lives. New Zealanders are likely to take many more risks.

Absolutely. For example my view of personal safety is very different to most ex-pats in Hong Kong (I am South African).

Challenging question. Across the board of different cultures, the common denominator noticed is that many will not move alone, or look for security in own cultured networks as the risk is with the unknown thus subsequently possibly narrowing the expat experience.

US is more open to risk compared to Germany as failure mainly means opportunity to learn - eg in entrepreneurship.

Riding bicycles in China with the family with helmets for safety. Helmets and seatbelts are not part of the typical Chinese culture.

Moving to another area of the country is rarely done here. While the Dutch are great travelers, the number of people willing to relocate due to a job or adventure seems to be much fewer than in the States. They just aren't willing to take that risk.

Insurance company and bank refused to pay out after my purse was stolen from my car whilst I sat in it as I "wasn-t hurt in the theft". (scam in local supermarket carpark) I believe in the UK that I would still have been covered for theft by deception but apparantly not in Spain. Perhaps it is too rife!?

I think the British are very cautious.....everyone back home says they could never do what we've done to leave everything behind. Life in London was very secure...but impossible to raise a family on 1 and a bit salary. But real risks are what other cultures do in desperation for a better life. Travelling illegally through Mexican borders or on a boat to become an immigrant. Risking your life....not just your pension!

EXPATS AND RISK-TAKINGSURVEY CONDUCTED BY:

@isointer@EngandCulture

https://www.facebook.com/englishandculture

https://www.facebook.com/expateverydaysupportcenter

www.expateverydaysupportcenter.com

www.englishandculture.com

risk survey results

Education