PREPARINGFORANINTERNATIONALASSIGNMENT.pptVIP

PREPARING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENT By Robert D. Miller An international assignment can be a great career opportunity. Follow these tips to ensure a smooth transition. For your employees, an international assignment can be the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s a chance for them, as well as their families, to expand their horizons, experience new cultures and travel to new places. However, preparing for an international assignment is a challenging and often stressful experience. Aside from packing, your employees will need to take many steps before moving. They should allow plenty of time to get organized and to tie up loose ends. Your employees will be making many decisions relative to the move. Below you’ll find valuable information to share with your employees to help them with this process. By encouraging your employees to discuss all the important issues prior to their move, such as where to live, what to bring and school choices, you can assure they are able to make the most of their international move. PREPARING FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENT Learn as much as you can about your host country prior to the move. The best way to do this is to visit the host country approximately six weeks prior to your move. Generally, your employer will pay for the costs of this trip. Both the employee and spouse (if married) should make this visit. The primary purpose of the “look-see” visit is to locate housing and make schooling arrangements for children. It will also give you a feel for the culture, languages, business practices, and the weather of your host country. If you cannot visit before moving, research the host country thoroughly by using books, travel agencies, the Internet, and by talking to other expatriates. Here are a variety of important tasks/research you should perform during your “look-see” visit or research before your move: If you have children, investigate your schooling options. Will your employer pay an education allowance? For many families the decision of