Have You Ever Lived in Another Country for An Overseas Assignment?

A little background: During ’06-’08 I was fortunate enough to live in Southeast Asia as an ex-pat because my dad works in financial services. The firm that gave him the assignment didn’t survive a month after we were back stateside (two guesses).

This is an experience for which I am extremely grateful. When I got a bit older, my drive to work in finance was partly driven by this, as most everyone with whom I interacted was living as an expat and had a parent in finance. I viewed it as a way to let me live in other exotic places. In today’s environment, there are far fewer expat assignments than there once were.

I still want to travel for work, but it may have to be accomplished in other ways than was possible 10-15 years ago. Put myself in a position to take a more entrepreneurial role and help a bank expand into an emerging market? Join a start-up or a VC firm based over-seas? Quit working and move across the world with just a backpack and clothes on my back? I don’t know. Currently I’m focusing on getting my first job in the industry, but it is fun to think about.

I pose the questions: Have you ever wanted to work overseas? Is there a possibility of taking an overseas assignment with your current firm? Has anyone had an expat experience growing up? Would love to hear anyone’s experiences about working in finance overseas (specifically Southeast Asia) and if it was something that you pursued or fell into.

Thank you for reading.