Will You Work Overseas?

Being overseas for the first time in a while last week I found myself contemplating whether I would consider living overseas again in our future.  I say “our” future because I don’t feel this decision is limited to my desire or interest and Holly would surely have a big say in that decision. 

So when I got home I asked her, “Do you think we will live overseas again?”  Her immediate response with no hesitation was “yes”. That surprised me so I dug a little deeper.  She told me that I was still young, that I get bored easily, and that she saw me excited by the challenge of a new operating environment when we were living in England.  So she just figured that once the kids left the house that we would likely have at least one more stint overseas.  Wow, I thought to myself.  I know why I love her so much!

My personal view on the same is a bit different.  As I get older I am becoming more set in my ways.  I enjoy luxury and privilege more, struggle and sacrifice less.  America is the greatest country in the world.  The quality of life one can lead (dollar for dollar) in the US is unmatched – in my opinion.  So the prospect of going abroad again continues to diminish in that respect.

But at the same time, Holly was right.  I do get bored easily and I love the excitement and challenge that comes from working abroad and facing the challenges that doing so presents.  Living and working in another country different from your own can be contagious. Even more so if you have responsibility for multiple countries on multiple continents with drastically different economic and cultural differences.  So that’s a big pro for going abroad again if the opportunity presents itself.  Working for a global company today increases my chances and opportunities greatly. 

I’m wondering … Marc or Brad what do you see as the probability that you will work outside the US at some point in your career before retiring?  I would guess Marc’s probability is higher than Brad’s since Marc has worked overseas and even found his life partner in another country.  But Brad’s adventuresome spirit is the wild card.  So Marc, Brad, if you wouldn’t mind please reply and advise (with or without consultation from your wives) what you believe to be the probability that you will work outside of the US at some point in the future.  I’m very interested. 

My probability is somewhat better than a coin flip.  Say 75% or so?  But it will depend largely on opportunity and where that opportunity is, because as I get older I’m becoming more select for many of the reasons stated above. 

P.S. Here’s an excerpt from a Washington Post article on Americans working abroad:

“According to State Department estimates, 6.3 million Americans are studying or working abroad, the highest number ever recorded. What’s more, the percentage of Americans ages 25 to 34 who are planning to move overseas has quintupled in two years, from less than 1 percent to 5.1 percent. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, 40 percent are interested in moving abroad, up from 12 percent in 2007.”