Is becoming an expat a natural progression towards a new world

The result of a recent survey shows there are some 57 million –yes, million – expatriates scattered all over the world, an increase of 11 million over 2009’s result.

Whatever the reason behind the decision to become an expat in an unfamiliar land, one thing’s for certain – more and more people than ever before are doing exactly that. Motivations are many, with career advancement and living on an eye-watering salary in a Middle Eastern or Asian hub are two of the most persuasive. For those without the skills, motivation or even the wish to tread that path, being an expatriate seems to be a way of rejecting the political directions their home countries are taking and carving out a new life abroad.

One thing’s for certain, moving overseas will stretch you emotionally and mentally, with the survey stating it’s a great way to develop problem-solving skills and cultivate open-mindedness towards new ideas as well as new people. It’s been proven that creativity thrives on challenges, especially in unfamiliar circumstances totally removed from expats’ former day-to-day lives. A previous study undertaken at Singapore Management University states experiencing unfamiliar cultures stimulates creative thinking and results in unconventional ideas.

Becoming bilingual is a huge challenge for expats, especially if they’re approaching retirement age, but making the attempt helps mental alertness and encourages you to appreciate the new cultural values in your chosen country of residence. For those relocating for work reasons, higher salaries than would be possible for a similar job back home enable financial stability and even encourage saving. Climbing the career ladder is most expat professionals’ main reason for relocating overseas, and improving the work/life balance is easy when there’s more money coming in.

For the increasing number of millenials who’re opting to leave the familiar and embrace a totally new culture and lifestyle, it’s the freedom to do so that’s important. In Europe, Asia and even in the USA, younger expat communities are springing up, inspired by the potential of today’s internet age and its promise for the future. Tech start-ups are favourites for this group, with well-established communities holding talents rivalling Silicon Valley now established across Europe and even in China’s mega-cities. They’re the hope for the future and, even more hopefully given the present state of the old world, they’re the microcosm of a new world.