As some of my friends and family have no doubt heard, I have long been thinking about taking an assignment/position overseas. As the time for me to make a decision comes closer, I’ve been torn on whether I want to, and where I would want to go.
A major source of my nervousness involves the fact that I have never lived so far from my friends and family. Moving 20 miles away is far more different from moving 4,000 to 10,000 miles away. Having to take a plane, spending anywhere from a half a day to more than twenty-four hours to visit family is an experience I’m not used to. Of course, this is no reason not to go. In fact, the experience gained from it might far outweigh the initial concern. Just having a chance to view life from outside the American bubble, and to gain a different perspective on life, should make the experience worthwhile. Never mind actually practicing what is so often preached with regards to the concepts of “diversity” and “globalization”.
When I try to think of where I would want to live, I’m drawn to Asia, even though it’s a far longer trek. The primary motivation behind the January trip to Singapore was to determine how livable I thought it was. Thankfully, I personally didn’t find it as boring as many of the other comments I had heard about it. While there are plenty of activities, the one aspect of life that seems to be missing more than anything else is the lack of a fully developed theatre scene. I do know that the Esplanade opened recently, and that this is an aspect of life that the government is trying to improve. And the city is certainly one of the greenest I’ve been to. And Australia is just a “short” flight away.
On the other hand, while Europe doesn’t seem as exotic, it does have the advantage of being closer (a long weekend trip home isn’t as unreasonable). Also, with the discount airlines (Rynair and easyJet)and the train network, taking trips between various countries and cities would be easier than movement around parts of Asia. As far as short duration (long weekend) trips go.
Of course, all of this depends on what opportunities may be available, which is outside my control.