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Bro... you just got into McKinsey... . and are getting to work in developing emerging markets.... AND YOU ARE WORRIED???? You literally get to work in the Baltic region surrounded by the hottest women on the planet. Everything you could ever want has just landed on your door step..... take the offer

Is it a client facing position? If so, I'd say go for it.

There's some difference in staff quality, and some difference in bill rates. That said, any difference is minor, and the brand is still great.

Your starting pay will be less than your colleagues in the west, but as you get more senior the gap closes, and around partner level you're actually paid the same in every country. The other side of this coin, of course, is that your cost of living will be much less. You can be a baller relative to your likely-lesser-paid peers in your home country.

Go for it, man.

Edit: Zagreb?

Also, what are your other options? If you don't have any options, it's not worth discussing. If WB offered you his position as the next CEO of Berkshire, maybe you take that instead.

I can confirm that the pay is substantially less than in the West, but still among the highest salaries at this level in the country (at least top 5%). So that's not an issue as I could live comfortably and would presumably be able to have expenses paid when I'm away on projects.

Any other insights into brand and cross-country staffing, ideally from people working in EMEA McK offices?

The pay might be lower, but wouldn't the cost of living be lower as well.