So, you’ve been daydreaming of working abroad for months and finally took the plunge to venture out into the world. You probably took great care to find the right work abroad program, picked out the perfect destination, packed your bags and off you went, with optimism and a sense of adventure, to start your new career. But now...you're feeling uncomfortable at your new job abroad.
Is working abroad not quite going as planned?
Most of the time, people who work abroad have incredible experiences. They get to explore a new country and neighborhood, enjoy being part of a new culture, meet new colleagues, and advance their career at a new job.
But, what if you’ve finally made your work abroad dream come true and then… well, it turns out to be a nightmare rather than a dream?
The truth is, travel always has a certain amount of risk involved. Things can happen differently than expected, plans change, and sometimes expectations aren’t quite met. The same goes for working abroad.
If you’re finding yourself in a situation where you feel unhappy in your job abroad, then read on. There are a few things you can try before you decide to throw in the beach towel.
What’s gone wrong?
Leaving your career and home behind, and starting from scratch in a brand new country, can certainly be cause for feeling uncomfortable at a new job—it doesn’t lie within most people’s comfort zones!
It usually takes a certain amount of time to settle into your new surroundings, get to know your colleagues, and feel comfortable with the work, as well as any language barriers or cultural differences.
But if you’re feeling unhappy, even after the initial settling in period, it’s time to find out what could be behind this feeling.
There are many things that can go wrong, but here are some of the most common problems, followed by some solutions that can help you turn things around—or figure out how to quit a new job that isn't a good fit:
1. Loneliness or homesickness
Do these views lead to the blues? You might be homesick.
Loneliness is probably one of the most common things that can throw a spanner into your work abroad dreams.
First, know that it’s completely normal and that most people feel lonely or homesick for a little while after moving. While it might not feel like it at the time, there are lots of things that you can do to battle loneliness and homesickness, and it usually passes after a few weeks (we’ll share some tips below).
2. Not being challenged at work
Maybe your colleagues are great and you’re settling in nicely, but the work you’re doing day-to-day is simply boring you to tears.
For example, many traditional jobs for people on working holiday visas, such as hospitality or farm jobs, can be quite repetitive. Your day-to-day work might not be as exciting or challenging as you’d hoped for and you’re wondering whether it will be an asset to add this experience to your resume.
You could ask your boss whether you could add more diverse tasks. Alternatively, maybe you could work two part-time jobs to add a bit more variety to your schedule.
3. Being asked to do things outside of your job description
One of the reasons your job abroad might be less dreamy than you hoped for is that you’re not valued at work and maybe even asked to do things that are completely outside your job description. If you feel like this is the case, first ask yourself whether this was communicated to you in advance.
If you’re working for a very small organization, it might be that all employees have to do extra work here and there to make sure it gets done. But, if it’s getting out of hand and you feel like you’re not doing the job you were originally hired for, then it might be time to reconsider.
4. You struggle to fit into a new culture
The more different a new culture is to your home country, the more likely that it will take you a while to get used to it and find your groove. It’s absolutely normal to struggle with culture shock, especially if you’re also dealing with language barriers and completely new customs and traditions.
Some people are better adapted to deal with culture shock, while others need more time. The best way to deal with this is to keep an open and curious mind, see every day as an adventure and take baby steps to ease yourself into it.
Is the culture *too* laidback? Too strict? Bad food? You might be experiencing culture shock
How to turn things around when a new job isn't working out
Just because you’re not feeling your new job abroad immediately, that doesn’t mean you need to book a return flight just yet. There are a few things you can try to help you turn your situation around, so you at least know you really gave it a really good shot.
1. Talk to your colleagues
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’? Well, it can often be as easy as that. Sometimes all you need is to talk to someone about what’s going on. Ask your colleagues about the role and whether there’s anything your predecessors might have struggled with. People tend to be much more understanding than you expect.
But don’t simply complain or whine about your situation. Instead, share some of your struggles and ask them for concrete feedback or help. Ask them whether they felt the same way when they first started out. Just knowing that you’re not the only one might already help.
2. Meet new people outside of work
Getting to know your work colleagues is obviously one of the most direct and easy ways to meet people while traveling on your work abroad experience. But, if you’re just not vibing with your coworkers, then don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to make new friends while traveling.
Find new opportunities to meet people and make friends.
A great place to start is the Meetup platform, where you can find groups of people meeting up around their various different hobbies or interests. If you love hiking - join a local hiking group. If reading is your jam - why not join a book club? You’ll get to know locals and expats alike and get to follow some of your hobbies while abroad.
Facebook groups are an equally great place to meet new people. Join a few local communities, introduce yourself and ask if anyone would like to meet up for a meal or drink. Other expats tend to be happy to meet up as they are equally keen to make new friends.
Another really good way to meet locals and make an impact is to join a local charity group. Not only will you be learning a lot about what the community you’re living in is struggling with, but you’ll be able to give back too.
3. Talk to your program adviser or employee
One of the first steps to take if you’re finding yourself unhappy abroad is to contact your program adviser.
They have helped dozens if not hundreds of new expats like yourself make the best of their time abroad and can most definitely point you in the right direction or give you some extra support.
You can also talk to your employer. After all, they are invested in their visiting staff being happy and enjoying their stay.
4. Come up with a Plan B
Just because this job isn’t a good fit doesn’t mean there isn’t another great one nearby!
If you’re still struggling after having connected with your colleagues, made a few new friends, and consulted your program adviser, there might be some deeper issues at play here. Maybe the role simply isn’t what it was promised to be or you’re feeling overwhelmed or undervalued.
In that case, it might be time to think about a plan B. Returning home should be a last resort and is not usually necessary, even if you don’t like your first job abroad. You can ask your employer to see whether they have a role that better fits your skills and interests. A simple move could fix all your problems.
If this is not possible, ask your work abroad program whether they could place you in a new role or give you access to their job listings.
You can also try to find a new job on the ground or through local recruitment agencies. Especially in countries with working holiday visas, it’s generally quite easy to secure a new travel job and people tend to try out a few different jobs over the course of their stay.
Make sure you ask all the right questions to avoid repeating your previous experience.
When it might be time to give up
While it's always best to give things a good go before giving up, sometimes there’s just no way to turn a bad situation around. It’s always upsetting to admit to that, but know that it’s ok. Sometimes the best thing to do is pull the plug and start again.
Often it’s really difficult to tell whether you should keep trying a bit harder to fix a bad work abroad arrangement, or whether you’d be better off returning home or looking for a new opportunity. There are some signs to look out for that it's actually time to quit your job abroad. Here are a few common ones:
Is the experience taking a physical toll on your body? It might be time to leave.
1. It’s negatively impacting your mental health
If you’ve been at your work abroad job for a while now and it’s simply not getting any better, you might start to become depressed. Far away from home without your normal support network, it can be especially easy to feel isolated and lonely, which can lead to more serious mental health struggles.
Know that you don’t have to struggle alone, help is out there. Reach out to your work abroad program organisers or even your employer and find out whether there are any support systems in place that could help you.
You could also consider talking to a therapist, either locally (with referrals is possible) or via mental health apps like Betterhelp. Apps like these pair you with experienced therapists that you can talk to via video calls, email or messages.
2. You’re asked to do something unethical or illegal
This is definitely the exception to the rule, but if you feel like you’re being asked to do something unethical or even illegal, then that’s a sign you’d be better off getting out of this situation.
Are there ethical lines being crossed?
Illegal activity doesn’t necessarily have to mean anything to do with theft or violence, it could be something as simple as being asked to carry out tasks that aren’t allowed on your particular visa. In this case, don’t be afraid to mention this to your employer.
If you’re feeling uncomfortable, listen to your gut. It’s usually right. Never get yourself into an illegal situation abroad. Many countries have much stricter laws than at home and you don’t want to risk your freedom and future – it’s never worth it.
3. You’re putting your health or safety at risk
Especially if you’re working in a more physically demanding job, you might be asked to carry out dangerous tasks without receiving proper health and safety training or protective gear.
The main rule is that your health and safety always come first. Yes, different countries might have different attitudes towards health and safety, but if you’re not comfortable–speak up! If you’re doing farm work, ask for protective gloves, hats and sturdy footwear. Construction jobs should always supply helmets and other safety equipment.
If you feel your employer is not taking these things seriously, this is a sign to look for a new job.
Not every job abroad is a dream, unfortunately
Don’t worry, you’ll get through this—brighter skies ahead!
If you are currently struggling abroad, know that there’s nothing wrong with you and that you’re not the only one. There are things that can go wrong anywhere in the world.
There’s no need to suffer in silence or ‘just stick it out’. This was, after all, supposed to be an experience of a lifetime. Use the tips above to find out what’s gone wrong and to turn it around to create the dream career abroad you deserve!