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Dr Masimba Mavaza
Studying abroad helps you to learn new languages, appreciate other cultures, overcome challenges of living in another country and gain a greater understanding of the world.
These are all things that modern businesses look for when hiring, and such traits will only become more important in the future. Many people are now moving abroad to settle. Moving abroad is becoming more popular and has plenty of benefits.
For some people, moving abroad is a necessity, while for others it is a choice. People are more willing to relocate abroad for work, relationships or just a new adventure.
In Europe, around 50 million people live outside their home countries for a better quality of life and living new experiences.
Going abroad has been long regarded as key to success by some.
Thousands of Zimbabweans have destroyed their livelihoods in a bid to secure a ticket and fly away to the Diaspora.
Many people sold their houses to buy tickets to go to the UK, while some resigned from good jobs to come and become caregivers.
Comforted by cheaper prices of food in the UK and the ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ schemes; they consider themselves rich.
Many people have placed themselves in a precarious position after abandoning their countries for the ‘greener’ pastures.
The grass looks greener out there, but is it? Things develop quickly, economies are changing and people become more courageous and fearless.
For students, it has become a normal and natural thing to have at least one international experience, but now, young professionals are embracing this more and more as well.
In the end, some settle in a whole new country for good, while others keep on wandering to new places all the time.
Does one become rich by abandoning his/her country?
The Diaspora carries the badge of wealth, but actually commands none.
Society tends to equate the possession of money with a happy, successful life.
The pursuit of riches, by going abroad, is seen as the best course to achieve success.
As the saying goes: “Money does not buy happiness,” and going abroad does not guarantee riches.
So if going abroad doesn’t necessarily translate into success, what does?
Benefits of moving abroad
Living abroad is not always a walk in the park. You will be away from your friends and family and might be going through difficult situations.
But there are more benefits than disadvantages regarding moving abroad.
Whether this is for a short period of time or a long period, there are some things that will change in your life.
Besides the advantages of having the opportunity to experience a new country and culture while travelling and meeting new people, as well as learning a new language, the most important aspects are reflected on you as an individual.
The benefits of moving and living abroad are the ones based on personal growth and professional development.
Personal growth
During an experience abroad you will discover a new self and this will lead to a better understanding of your own person.
Zimbabweans who are abroad have all of sudden realised how beautiful Zimbabwe is.
According to a study made by AFS and the University of Essex, people who have lived abroad are less stressed and anxious and have a higher level of self-esteem. You gain more confidence due to the fact that you need to go out and meet and make friends, you have to get out of your comfort zone.
You become alive to the fact that big cars, big houses and expensive suits are nothing.
According to the study, people who lived abroad are more satisfied with their life and are happier. The decision to move abroad demonstrates independence, motivation, maturity, responsibility and the ability to take decisions and adapt to changes.
The values you gained during your time spent in your home country will be improved and attached to the new ones you will be developing.
For different people, success means different things. For some, it may mean amassing a lot of money, while for others, it means doing what you love, or leaving the world a better place.
There are countless ways to define success, it all depends on the individual.
But the truth is that, being outside the country is not at all the get-rich-quick ticket.
Before packing your bags to go abroad, it is worthwhile to examine and try to determine what success is for you; set your goals accordingly and then decide on strategies to achieve the success you want.
It is a lot like the process you go through to develop your financial plan.
Do some trial and error to figure out what works for you.
“Going abroad is only a smokescreen and not a sign of being rich,” commented Dr Herbert Kawadza of Manchester, UK.
A person who has stripped down life to the bare necessities in order to devote more time to a beloved activity like farming or mining should be considered just as successful as the one toiling abroad.
People can still make it, even if they are in Zimbabwe. In fact, no rich Zimbabwean is abroad. Our people are being attracted by cheaply priced UK food and have abandoned their roots.
After all, there is no point in being rich if you are not fulfilled; and if you are not fulfilled, how can you say you are truly successful? Being abroad, you are always reminded that you are a foreigner.
Being rich without self-pride is poverty of the worst kind. You can look at success as either a destination or a process.
Maintaining a fixed definition of success can lead to stagnation and even depression.
It is not surprising that the UK has a large number of Zimbabweans who are stressed and mentally disturbed.
“They are in a make-do world where they think they are better off than colleagues left in Zimbabwe,” said Welcome Bhebhe from Luton.
However, professional development is achieved mostly by those who are working abroad, although we do have a lot who develop while they are home.
Working in a foreign country will make your CV look impressive and help your application stand out.
Working abroad will open you many doors. You get to come into contact with a whole different culture and will develop new skills.
The training and experience gained abroad are some of the things employers and recruiters are looking for.
More hiring managers are interested in hiring professionals who have international experience. Even a volunteering programme can benefit your career.
You acquire skills that are ideal for any job and some of them are the following: communication, problem-solving, leadership, empathy, adaptability and team work.
These can only be seen if you go back home where your service will be appreciated. You could measure these successes by achieving temporary, tangible goals like being a care home manager away from the motherland.
Alternately, you could set goals where ultimate success takes your entire lifetime, like a happy marriage, spiritual discovery or perfecting your golf swing.
Zimbabweans abroad are a very unhappy lot and try to pretend to be making it in life.
There is nothing richer than being home.
Many Zimbabweans in the UK are frustrated after they have not found the easy rich pickings they expected to be everywhere in the land of the Queen.
Being in diaspora must only be used to spring you back to life and its advantages is only seen when you get back home.
Online Reporter