"Open up and say AAaaaAhhHhh!!!~!~"

To many, the idea of living and working overseas evokes images of glamour and excitement. But the dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if not approached in a realistic way. The land of opportunity for today’s professional extends well beyond their own country’s borders. The expanding global economy has created work opportunities that take many employees and others offshore for months or years at a time.

Most people enjoy valuable personal and career-building international assignment experiences, when they manage the assignment well and carry it out successfully. But while expertise and personal confidence are critical ingredients for success, working in a foreign country usually takes more than ability and confidence. International assignments often bring a varied set of both professional and personal challenges.

Any new assignment, international based, brings with it a buzz of excitement — new opportunity, fresh challenge and potential career growth and reward. Some professionals accept assignments on the basis of personal and career challenge, regardless of where they have to go. Others will travel abroad for extended periods when the location is a desirable one, regardless of the long-term career growth potential. Most accept overseas work offers based on a combination of all these factors. The exposure to other cultures, ideas and viewpoints, especially those that are culturally derived, are both fascinating and valuable.

But while the decision to work overseas is a personal one, often the decision to stay or to go isn’t simply a matter of personal preference. International assignments are not just for young career professionals. Those like me in later career stages can also benefit, but must consider some different factors.
1) Taking the family along — The idea of being separated from family for extended periods is difficult for me to swallow. The factors associated with this logistic are complex, to be sure. And not only family, i cant fuxing leave all my good friends here.

2) Financial considerations — Overseas employees must contend with a set of unique and sometimes overwhelming financial issues, including salary progression and cost-of-living.

3) Job security — Today’s corporate climates are in a state of flux, and mergers and acquisitions are common place. Corporate cultures are changing more frequently.

4) Personal characteristics — With all professional, economic and family issues considered, i have to think about the factor of my own personal character into the decision equation. Anyone considering an overseas assignment must honestly appraise their own personality traits to determine whether they have the right characteristics for work abroad.

I got an offer to work oversea actually. Got a call from a long lost friend this evening. And now, i'm torn between a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work oversea and other reasons for not leaving left me with a really "once-in-a-lifetime" headache. Duh !