But of course, they do exist: the role models. Those who initiate their career abroad themselves or are sent by companies. I spoke to precisely these women and asked them about their motivations and their challenges. In this article, I reveal what motivates these women. Why they push through against all discrimination and probability and dare to take the professional path abroad.
Moving abroad against all odds
I talked to 30 female breadwinners, and the reasons for moving abroad have been manifold. About 50% of the study participants had private reasons for going abroad. These include, for example, love, self-development, a desire for living in a foreign country or in a more serious context to live in a safer environment. Especially women from South America reported that they are looking for a higher standard of living in Europe and want to become financially independent. Still, others, especially women from Europe and Asia, are attracted by professional projects. Either their career at home has stalled, and they hope that projects abroad will have a positive effect on their salary and position, or they are looking for more challenging tasks or find it difficult to coordinate family and career in their home country.
Why women move abroad: In their own words
The study carried out is so valuable in terms of quality because women have their say directly and unfiltered. At numerous points in the report, I let the women speak directly, and they share very honestly and authentically about their motivations, experiences, and challenges. Below are a few quotes from women about their reasons for moving abroad. You can see how diverse the reasons can be:
“My career in Germany stagnated a bit at that time, and the foreign assignment was a great career opportunity. Basically, I was interested in the Scandinavian countries and curious about life abroad, but I also wanted the challenge and to push my career.”
“Definitely personal and professional growth. I wanted to live abroad because I see it as a valuable experience in an increasingly global world. Professionally, I am in a global company, and I also see it as important to have been abroad. Curiosity about foreign countries also, but above all, I wanted to further my private and professional education.”
“Back in the UK, it was hard to be taken seriously, especially as a young professional, and I wanted to see whether other cultures are the same.”
“I do love Brazil, but after the 4th robbery in front of my building, I decided to move abroad.”
“South Korea is a conservative country, and I wanted to break free and live in a country without limitations.”
“My philosophy: I will never be rich but rich in experience. Living abroad is part of my personal bucket list.”
The accidental expat
While the examples above show that the reason for a career abroad can be manifold, there is also another trigger. An international career does not just happen. Many women have taken their fate proactively into their own hands, writing applications on their own initiative or expressing interest to their employer in a project abroad. But some women stumbled into this adventure rather by chance. Especially as an Expat Partner coach, I meet women again and again for whom living abroad came as a surprise and either welcomed it with open arms or shied away from it. When talking to these 30 women, I also encountered some women who did not proactively want to go abroad. An opportunity was offered to these women; they were persuaded by their employer or suddenly found themselves in the role of Expat Partner. These comments describe this situation very well:
“I fell in love to be completely honest, and decided to move to Rome because of him. After that, it was opportunities that triggered this global lifestyle.”
"I always wanted to go abroad, but I never really pursued it and didn't have the courage. But my bank (employer) always had a partner bank in New York and needed someone, and I was offered the job. We declined once because the USA did not appeal to us but then took up the second offer".
"I have to be honest and say that I didn't really have any motivation to go abroad. I was very happy with my job in Germany. But it was always an unwritten rule that you have to go abroad once to make a career. And when I was asked, I accepted."
Moving abroad as the solution to constricting social expectations
While the motivation to move abroad is very diverse, most women sought to improve their current living situation and escape the constricting social expectations. Be it in terms of unpromising career prospects, missing childcare, restricting social views on being a "working mum", or not feeling comfortable walking down the street as a woman during the night.
If you want to learn more from these 30 role models, you are welcome to download the study for free.
Are you living abroad right now or planning to? What is your motivation to do so? Please share with us in the comments below.
