Moving abroad...is it easy?

In the last decade, Brazil has experienced the intensification of the immigration process, breaking the record in the number of people who have left the country to live and work abroad. Comparing the number of Brazilians living outside between 2010 and 2020, there was an increase of 35%, representing an amount of more than 4 million people, according to Itamaraty data.

The desire to immigrate to more developed countries, with better public services, greater security and good quality of life mobilizes many Brazilians to take risks in another country. Professional opportunities can also be more promising when opting for an international career in some cases. However, there are many factors to consider, in the personal and professional sphere, before making such an important decision.

When visiting a new place for a short period of time, we tend to notice more about good things than problems and challenges. Spending a few weeks exploring a new region, visiting the main sights and interacting with locals are the first steps to get to know a new place.  Indeed, you need to have a more real experience of how the routine of life and work is. For instance, learning how the public transport system works, knowing neighborhoods, observing prices in the supermarket, understanding the functioning of the public education and health system, and mainly talking to native speakers are some priority actions to understand whether in fact that culture is a good combination with your profile and expectations.

From a professional point of view, it is fundamental to rationally analyze the benefits that a job abroad can bring to your career. Although there is a tendency to value professionals with international experience, many positions offered outside Brazil to foreigners offer lower remuneration (when compared to the cost of living in the new location) and fewer opportunities for career growth.

It is also crucial to consider whether the career move to a new country will be lateral, ascending or descending. A lateral move offers the same hierarchical and responsible level; in cases like this, it is advantageous if the personal aspects of the change are worth while there is a chance of growth to higher positions. In the case of upward movement, it is easier to make a decision, since the position offered is more relevant than the current occupation. In the case of downward movement, it is necessary to carefully consider, since many people agree to occupy jobs in operational functions and that do not require high qualification to have the chance to live outside Brazil.

The way to take a choice of life abroad is the same as we should follow for important career decisions: investing in qualification, information and detailed analysis of options and scenario, balancing the aspects that are the most important to us and managing to balance the short-and-long term benefits.

Upper Team