Have you ever wondered why working abroad has become so popular lately and why so many people decide to do so? As an expat since 2018, I can confirm it's not just a trend—it's a smart move that can change your life and career in ways you never thought possible.
The answer is simple: Living and working in another country can offer you experiences you'll never get at home. From boosting your career to expanding your worldview and allowing you to meet incredible people you wouldn't have otherwise met, there are countless reasons to pack your bags and take the leap.
In this post, I'll share seven main, undeniably good reasons why you should work abroad. Once you see the benefits, you'll understand why work abroad opportunities are worth considering. Keep reading to find out how working in another country can change your career and life for the better.
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1. Personal Growth and Development
Nothing will push you out of your comfort zone like moving and working abroad.
Throwing yourself into a totally new, unfamiliar environment with no safety net of family, friends, and familiar surroundings life puts your personal growth and development on steroids.
When you work abroad, you face new challenges almost daily. Navigating public transit is challenging. Asking for directions in a new language is challenging. Figuring out the work culture in your new country is challenging. I mean, it's a fact: Working abroad comes with many challenges.
Is it scary? Yes. Is it also the most liberating, rewarding, and exciting thing you can do? Also yes.
Sure, it's tough at first. But the more challenges you overcome on the fly, the more adaptable and stronger you become. And in my opinion, the stronger, better version of you that emerges makes it all worth it.
2. Career Opportunities
Working abroad brings some amazing career opportunities you might never find at home. As such, it's a career game-changer.
Not only can you access roles that might be rare or nonexistent in your home country, but you also get to work with diverse teams, learning new ways of thinking and doing things.
It's a chance to gain expertise in different industries and work environments, from tech hubs in Berlin to financial centers in London or slow-paced, country-side tourism in Croatia.
And let's not forget seeing your expat resume grow with global experience—talk about a standout feature that can open many career opportunities in the future.
Plus, there's something incredibly rewarding about navigating the challenges of a new workplace culture. It shows adaptability and resilience, qualities that employers everywhere value highly. And who knows? You might even discover a passion for a new field or industry you hadn't considered before.
For full transparency, being an expat in a job search has its pros and cons. But working abroad could be the key to tapping into career opportunities you never even knew existed.
3. Financial Benefits
One of the biggest pros of working abroad? Money.
Working abroad can be a smart financial move, especially if you come from a country with a low cost of living (which equals low salaries) or a country with a high unemployment rate and limited career opportunities.
International positions often offer higher salaries than those in your home country. This isn't always a given, but in many fields, the pay scale makes working abroad an attractive option.
Plus, many international companies provide strong benefit packages that include health insurance, housing or education allowances, and even relocation support. These perks can boost overall compensation and fill your pockets nicely.
On top of that, some countries, like the Netherlands and Sweden, have special incentives for expats, encouraging foreigners to move to their countries and work abroad from there.
Want to make the most of working abroad, money-wise? Negotiate your expat package and get insider tips on negotiating your salary for a job abroad.
4. New Languages
Being multilingual can make you a hot commodity in the job market. And nothing accelerates learning a new language like working abroad and being exposed to it 24/7.
Employers see value in hiring someone who can communicate with clients, colleagues, and partners around the world. Plus, language skills because they demonstrate that you're adaptable and eager to learn. These traits make you stand out, no matter what industry you're in.
So, speaking one or a few languages can lead to better jobs, higher salaries, more career options, and improved chances of landing jobs worldwide.
Plus, it's really cool when you hear a familiar language in an airport or on a tube and can have casual interactions with strangers in their native language.
5. Exposure to Different Work Cultures
Working abroad means immersing yourself in different work cultures and environments, which can further improve your flexibility and broaden your perspective.
When you work in a new country, you have to adjust to local customs, office etiquette, and even different work paces. This constant adaptation helps you become more flexible and versatile.
For instance, some countries emphasize punctuality and strict schedules, while others might have a more relaxed approach to time. You learn to navigate both, making you adaptable to various environments. You’ll pick up on small yet crucial differences, such as how meetings are conducted or how feedback is given. This flexibility is a valuable skill that employers look for.
It will also make you feel like a citizen of the world.
6. New Experiences and Adventure
Working abroad is great for your career. But having a 9-5 in another country fundamentally changes your 5-9, too.
When you log off and shut down your work laptop, you'll find yourself strolling the streets of a new city, falling in love with new cuisines you couldn't have tried at home, cooking a local dish, or learning about local traditions.
If you're in Europe, you're in the perfect spot for travel. You may hop on a train or catch flights on weekends and find yourself in a new city or country in less than two hours. One weekend, you could be enjoying the art and food in Paris, and the next, you might find yourself taking a gondola ride in Venice.
Take me as an example. in 26 years of living in Croatia, I traveled to 6 countries. In 4 years of living in Poland, I traveled to 17 countries. The ease of travel and cheap flight tickets from Poland made a huge difference.
Sure, this adventure part of living and working abroad largely depends on your preferred lifestyle and personal circumstances. Admittedly, it may also come from a privileged position.
But if this is what you're looking for, living and working abroad will set you up for countless mini adventures. These experiences offer countless moments that can turn into lifelong memories and give you unforgettable experiences that will shape you in unexpected ways.
7. People You Meet
Want to expand your social circle with interesting people from around the world? Moving abroad is the ultimate shortcut.
For example, in my home country, Croatia, my circle of friends consists mostly of people I've known since childhood—all Croatians. But in Poland, my friends come from all over the world. When I talk about my social outings, it often sounds like the start of a joke: "A Croatian, a Pole, an Australian, and an American walked into a bar."
Plus, when I travel abroad now, I often know at least one person from the country I'm visiting who can offer local tips and insights that I wouldn't have otherwise known.
The diversity of people you meet, their backgrounds, life stories, and the shared experience of those who have also taken the leap to move across the world are my absolute favorite reasons for working abroad. (And I have a feeling they could be yours, too.)
To Sum Up: Why Work Abroad?
Working abroad offers countless benefits that can change your life in amazing ways. From boosting your career to accelerating your personal growth, the reasons to work abroad are endless and exciting.
Your language skills will improve, you'll meet amazing people, and you'll gain unique insights that make you more valuable in the job market. Financial perks and travel opportunities add even more incentive.
So, why work abroad? The answer is simple. It opens doors to incredible opportunities and growth that you can't get any other way. Take the chance to explore, learn, and thrive in a new country. You'll be glad you did.
Matilda & Ana
Hi there! We're Matilda and Ana — the founders of MoreThanCareers, expats, international corporate recruiters, and HR professionals with 18+ years of combined HR experience. Since 2018, our career-building techniques, tools, and resources have helped over 500 coaching clients and 10,000 professionals worldwide land new, more fulfilling, higher-paying, and career-changing jobs.
Now it's your turn. And MoreThanCareers is here to help!