PERspective: Pros and Cons of Expat Life - Experiences from 25 years and 84 countries

by Per Ostberg, Caroline Hurry (Editor), Greg Cameron (Illustrator)

Part memoir, part guidebook, PERspective takes the reader along Per Ostberg’s uneven path of self-discovery as he lays bare the life of the expat and the challenges that lie ahead. He combines his own candid personal stories from 25 years of expat life in 84 countries with formal research such as Professor Geert Hofstede’s intercultural management perspectives.
PERspective answers questions about dealing with “culture crash”, building and managing multicultural teams, and avoiding the many traps that await the unsuspecting expat, like alcohol, drugs, infidelity, evacuations and corruption. It offers practical techniques for trouble-shooting, cultural intelligence, mindfulness, stress management, and knowing when to leave.
It explains the reality of expatriate life as opposed to common perceptions and dreams and provides a fascinating insight into the workings of the mysterious multinational companies that are such a huge part of our lives today.‏
Per Ostberg’s experience will encourage other young expats to embrace the opportunities and challenges of an overseas assignment while holding on to the personal fulfilment they need to succeed.‏

166 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 23, 2014