EXPANDING
BOUNDARIES How working abroad changed me...
FOUR PROFESSIONALS TELL US
HOW THEIR LIVES TOOK A TURN FOR THE BETTER WHEN THEY DECIDED TO ACCEPT AN
OVERSEAS STINT
Living and working in a
country outside your own inevitably brings challenges and excitement.Not every
step of the journey towards relating to colleagues belonging to culturally
different backgrounds, finding your way in an alien environment and learning to
survive on your own is easy .But it's also an experience like no other because
you have the opportunity to travel, make new friends and get more exposure than
you could have ever hoped for.
VIJAY SIVARAM, Regional Director, Asia Pacific, Quess Corp Ltd
Worked in: South East Asia
(Malaysia and Philippines)
The South-East Asian
cultures are fairly different from ours and the first thing you learn with
colleagues is to adapt to how they think and work. I had to overcome the local
language barrier, but at the same time, understood their mode of speech, eventually
becoming a good listener. Living away from my home country has given me an
exposure to a very diverse set of nationalities and cultures. You learn to acclamatise
and there are times when you need to unlearn and learn again.
No matter where you live,
social circle takes a while to develop; it takes time to meet likeminded people
with whom you can spend a pleasant evening. Here in the region, almost everyone
has a strong work-life balance and after work, most people develop a hobby or
do something of interest like sports. My weekends are usually spent visiting
friends and family or I become a weekend tourist and go around the country.
J VENKAT, Director, Maxeed
Worked in: Dubai and other parts of the Middle-East
When an Indian goes abroad
for a work-related opportunity, he is part of a completely new environment. The
diversity of cultures one gets to interact with is quite different to how it is
in our country. Every land has its own practices when it comes to work, right
from the office timings to the decorum that needs to be maintained. The company
I worked with previously had people from 21 different nationalities. Meeting
people from across the world, makes one realise how their sentiments and perspectives
are different. To increase familiarity and bonding in a new work environment, I
decided to take part in social meetings which helped me relate to my colleagues
in an easier manner. A certain sense of confidence is also achieved in managing
people in such an environment, which aided me in dealing with my colleagues in
India through a larger perspective of understanding.
I would surely recommend a
stint abroad for both, personal and professional growth. To be in an unfamiliar
surrounding helps one expand their interpersonal skills, by mixing with people
of different nationalities. Also, by working with various leading MNCs, one
learns different practices and negotiation skills through great learning. It
also helps one build a strong network of professional connections and adds
value to business growth opportunities.
SIDDARTH BHARWANI, Vice President, Jetking Worked in: Australia
I happened to work in Gold
Coast which is a paradise for after-work activities. My colleagues became my
friends over time and often, we had multiple chances to explore the city side
of Gold Coast. Over and above being a multi-cultural state of Brisbane, there
were quite a few activities like language learning, shooting ranges, and
sanctuaries we used to visit. Our company, which I founded, was my first
start-up venture and I spent most of my time in improving the website, even on
weekends. It is always important to keep an open mind when exploring a new
place. If our mind is closed, it gets difficult to adapt. I met a number of
people who I still maintain strong ties with till today. It helped me open my
mind to a number of ideas that I wouldn't have come across if I had not started
the venture.
ANAGHA VYAS, Center Head Columbus Development Centre, Persistent
Systems
Worked in: United States of
America
Nothing helps you
understand why customers or colleagues based in the US discuss the weather or
football so passionately, till you experience the American mid-west! And three
words can divide the nation Soda, Pop and Coke. Jokes apart, the biggest value
of a stint abroad is the career capital that you build. The experience fosters
individualism, initiative and independence.
The work culture in the US
has several things to learn from. You experience a highly-disciplined work
ethic. Whether a person works out of the office or home, the day starts early
and ends on schedule. Work and personal life are well segregated and equally
respected. If you run into a friend who is late for a meeting and she doesn't
stop to say hello, don't be surprised. There is high value placed on
punctuality. Be it a professional meeting or a cocktail party, it will start
and end on time!
Ankita Shreeram
|
TAS 9DEC15
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