Returning home after significant experiences abroad can leave you with many unknowns. If your experience away was a positive one of education, growth, and connection, then you may wonder if you’re missing out on a potentially greater future than what awaits you at home. If you’ve had a rough time abroad, then you may be making mental lists of how life will be so much better upon your return. More than likely, you’ve had a variety of positive and not-so-positive thoughts about returning home, and because you’ve held leadership roles, you have enough experience to know that knowing is better than not knowing. .
Questions will arise such as “Will it be easy to return home to a leadership role?” or “Will I receive the same general respect as from peers and colleagues abroad?”. The one thing that may come as a surprise to even the most confident of returnees is that no matter what, the return comes with a host of unknowns.
What is true is that leaders must try to find ways to bring their newfound knowledge and experience home—to use that knowledge to support themselves and start a new life again.
One thing both leaders and most expats have in common is their ability to be determined in the face of challenges. They have a vision for their lives and a vision for improving industries, culture and systems. They are culturally aware of what innovations will shape the future for themselves and the country they come from.
This determination and vision is necessary for the journey home. Expatriate leaders should apply the same system that they are likely to apply when they embark on the journey back home, in order to ensure a smooth transition that allows them to settle in a better position than when they left. left and to avoid unnecessary disappointments.
Have a plan
Prepare for your return. Many people apply the thought process that since they once lived in their country and have family there, they know what to expect. They may think that this is the easy part and unfortunately they are surprised when it is not. In fact, having spent many years away, one can think of their past life at home in an idealistic way. Even to romanticize the past, thus minimizing all the disturbing reasons, the decision was made to leave in the first place.
Before you leave it’s time to “connect” with your previous culture, opportunities, advancements, new workplace, family and extended family, neighborhood, etc. Start making phone calls, video conferencing and reading news feeds to ask those you know what’s like in the country right now? Ask them questions to understand the reality of the situation. Make plans to visit for extended periods of time before a move so you can get to know (or get reacquainted with) the people and areas where you plan to live. Then formulate a plan for where you will live, work and enjoy your days, so as to avoid any possible problems for your family upon your return.
The result will be that you will not be so immersed in surprises and disappointments. In fact, you can plan a future how you will contribute where there are still problems. Like starting a professional support group where people in your country can connect with people you know in the country who may be more developed in that area/industry.
Culture changes
The longer the time away, the more changes they can expect from their home culture. Studies have shown that people who move from their countries to seek other opportunities are mostly friendly people, willing to talk and demand their rights. But upon returning with more leadership experience and knowledge, one may find that their voice is louder than others, and this can be alienating. So it’s best to watch and listen when you come back. Take the changes you see so you can plan to adapt to them or have a more informed plan to help facilitate improvement.
Accept that no matter how big or small – change happens. Both you and those around you may have changed. And the culture of the country too. This can be somewhat difficult to find out by phone calls to those who live at home. In fact, it’s likely that old friends have changed just as you have. Those you think would be close to you back home may be leading very different lives now. However, this is easy to deal with – keep the expectation that no matter what, you will look for the good in the changes that are inevitable. Change is not as negative as it is often thought.
Think about how to build a little bit of a new culture around you when you return home. If the current culture doesn’t match your passions and ideas, perhaps explore different areas of your country that are more suited to your way of thinking. Perhaps living closer to a populated city than closer to relatives is more in line with supporting you as you move forward.
Build a support team
Most leaders would not dream of returning home unless they have secured a new job in their countries. If you did, congratulations! If your company does not have a repatriation process already in place, ask your HR support staff if they have repatriation resources available to you. This may include spending an initial period of time within a “buddy” system to help you and/or your family adjust to housing, utilities, transportation, etc. Find out through your HR contacts if there are other employees who are new back home and how to connect with them.
Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be a resource for others looking to return home as well. Always pay it forward by helping others behind you on the journey.
If you’re thinking of moving back home, hear from others who’ve already taken the plunge and found success at Pocmi’s Global Job Fair week. Register at pocmi.com/gjfw.
A sponsored post
https://www2.pacific.edu/sis/culture/pub/2.2.1-_returning_home.htm
https://www.rw-3.com/blog/7-best-practices-to-support-repatriates
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1414713/
