The Lure of Foreign Lands

How to Choose the Country That’s Best For You

By Volker Poelzl

The number of Americans living abroad has steadily grown over the past decade as more people have become interested in exploring another language and culture or finding an overseas job. According to recent estimates by the U.S. State Department, there are 6.6 million Americans living overseas, a little more than the entire population of the state of Massachusetts. While some people are transferred to an overseas post by their employer or have a job offer abroad, for the rest of us it is not an easy task to figure out what country to choose.

Determining the Right Activity

Before choosing a country you should first ask yourself what goals and expectations you have for your overseas stay. Are you interested in employment, retirement, university study, a long-term language course, or volunteer work? Would you like to immerse yourself in the local culture, perfect your language skills, or even settle abroad and open a business? If an overseas job is your main objective, research where your job skills are most in demand and then get information about employment opportunities there. If you are a student, contact an exchange program either sponsored by your university or offered through a reputable student exchange organization and find out what countries are offered for study abroad. If you have time on your hands but little money set aside, volunteer work is another option.

For a successful stay abroad it is essential to match your destination with your personal interests and your professional or educational goals. Costa Rica may be a peaceful and affordable retirement location with a large U.S. expatriate community, but if you want to combine Spanish study with experiencing indigenous culture, you would be better off going to Ecuador or Guatemala. Likewise, if you seek overseas employment and expect the same quality of life as in U.S. cities, you might be happier in an industrialized nation than in a developing country. If you are adventurous, you could just travel abroad and look for informal work without a work permit. This option has become more difficult in recent years though, because many developed countries have been flooded with illegal immigrants and have started to crack down on illegal workers.

Economic and Political Considerations

Regardless of whether your plan is to study, volunteer, or work abroad, the economic condition of your destination country is an important consideration. When I first went to Brazil as an exchange student the Brazilian government kept the new local currency stronger than the U.S. dollar, which greatly reduced my purchasing power and affected my entire year in the country. Financial factors should not be your only consideration, but they should certainly not be left be out. As the U.S. dollar has weakened against many currencies in recent years, a larger number of prospective expatriates are looking for new ways to make their money last. This often means seeking out an affordable destination, especially for those who won’t be earning an income.

When researching the economies of different countries, keep in mind that the exchange rate is not in itself an indicator of the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar. Currency exchange rates are subject to market demands and government policies, and it is really the cost of living you need to be concerned about most. A better indicator of how much your U.S. dollars or your overseas salary can buy in your country of interest is to research the cost of accommodation at your destination. The sidebar below lists resources to help you compare the cost of living of different countries and cities.

Unless you transfer overseas through your employer, your income abroad will most likely not be as high as in the U.S. When I lived in Lisbon one of my housemates was a student from Italy. He was looking for part-time work during the school year, but the pay was so low that he finally gave up on the idea. In Rio de Janeiro, on the other hand, several of my peers worked as part-time English teachers because the pay was high by local standards. In New Zealand I worked in horticulture earning a relatively low wage, but the cost of living in the countryside was also very low, and I was able to open a savings account and put money aside every month.

High inflation is another factor to watch out for. Being used to very low inflation in North America, living in a country where prices go up every day is quite a challenge.

In addition to economics, you should also evaluate the political climate in your country of interest. Anti-American and anti-Western sentiment can significantly impact your stay abroad, and you should do some research before making a final decision. Many developing countries have unstable or even collapsing governments, which fail to provide basic services to its citizens and are unable to guarantee the rule of law. Living in a socially, economically, and politically stable country will make your stay overseas much easier and more enjoyable.

The Exotic or the Familiar?

To narrow your choice of countries it is useful to first consider the countries that already interest you, or where you have enjoyed a vacation. Having friends or family abroad may be another reason for you to favor one country over another. You might even be interested in searching for your roots in order to live in the country of your ancestors. In this way you are already somewhat familiar with the culture, language, and people.

On the other hand, some of us are captivated by exotic and unfamiliar locations. What first attracted me to living abroad were tropical locales such as the South Pacific Islands and the Amazon. But soon after my arrival I realized that living in countries so vastly different from my own had a price; the heat, the climate, exotic diseases, foreign foods, and a very different way of life made adjustment difficult. Unless you have travel experience in unfamiliar cultures, it might be a good idea to choose a country with a culture that is not so drastically different from your own and where climate, food, and local customs do not pose a significant challenge.

Many European countries share some cultural traits with North America, and moving to Europe is not nearly as challenging as moving to Japan, for example. Do your homework and read as much as possible about your future destination. Take a language course before you go. Having some idea of the local language will make your adjustment much easier, and you will be able to make local friends more quickly.

Distance to your home country can be another important factor. Moving to Mexico from North America is much cheaper than, let’s say, moving to Argentina, especially if you are shipping household belongings. Proximity to your home country may also be important if you have to return home regularly to tend to business or visit family. Traveling long distances is more expensive, more exhausting, and more time consuming.

Taking the First Steps

Once you have figured out where to go, you can move on to the next step. Contact the consulate or embassy and find out how easy it is to get the appropriate visa for your country of interest. There are different procedures to obtain the appropriate visa or residency permit, but a large number of countries allow foreigners to visit between three and six months without a special visa and do not require visas for volunteer work or language courses. For university study, business, and employment, however, you have to apply for a visa for most countries. Find out what the requirements are and how long it takes for a visa to be processed so you can plan your departure accordingly.

The resources below will help to give you an idea of how your country of interest compares to others in important areas such as health, human rights, economic and political stability, and more.

Volker Poelzl is the author of Culture Shock! Brazil and the Living Abroad contributing editor for Transitions Abroad. He has traveled in over 30 countries worldwide and has lived in 10 of them for study, research, and work. Visit Volker's Wide World Cafe blog for lively and thought-provoking posts. Contact him at volkerpoelzl@cox.net.

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