If I were presented with an opportunity to work internationally after I had graduated and worked in the US for several years, there would be a number of factors I would consider before making my decision. The first factor I would contemplate when considering whether to pursue the opportunity would be the culture of the host country. The United States is fairly progressive when it comes to gender equity, LGBTQ rights, and racial justice. I would not feel comfortable accepting the opportunity if it was in a country that did not support these marginalized communities. Another factor that I would consider is the language spoken in the host country. As someone who speaks three languages, if I were expected to learn another language in order to communicate with my coworkers, I would choose not to take advantage of the opportunity. It takes many years to feel comfortable communicating in a new language and I personally do not have enough time to invest in learning a new one. A further component I would assess is the expatriate compensation package the company offers me. I would review the base salary, allowances, expatriate incentives, and benefits and compare them to the compensation package I received in the United States. An additional factor that would influence my decision making would be the length of time of the job offer. If I were offered a short-term position I would be more likely to accept it. If I were offered a position for an indefinite length of time, I would be more careful in accepting the role because I would have to consider whether I want to spend my long-term future living in the host country. Another factor that I would consider is the weather and climate in the new country. I am not used to living in extreme temperatures so if the job offer was in a country that experiences large amounts of snow or heat I would also think twice before accepting the position. Finally, one of the most important components to ponder before accepting an offer in a foreign country is one’s family dynamic. If I were married with children and a mortgage I would be less likely to accept the offer. On the other hand, if I were single and had no significant ties to my home country I would be much more inclined to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
