Nowadays governments, large organisations and big companies all com- pete for the expertise and skills they require. More and more people leave their own country to live and work abroad. These expatriates go off with high hopes and expectations, but in spite of increased earning power, some are disappointed and frustrated and return home for good. Others adapt well to the challenge of a new life and continue in the expatriate scene for many years, sometimes even finding it difficult to repatriate.

Contracts

It is important that the terms of the contract are understood and signed by the employer and the employee; if the contract is in another language, a reliable translation should be obtained before signing on the dotted line. Contracts should set out the terms and conditions of employment, including the minimum length of contract; working hours and overtime; remuneration; allowances for or provision of accommodation, car, education, medical and dental cover; leave and terminal gratuities/bonuses; dismissal clauses and compassionate leave arrangements.

Many jobs abroad offer what seem to be on paper very large salaries, but the attitude of employers, their willingness to accept responsibility and to offer support when necessary are often worth more than money. There are several excellent websites dedicated to expat issues and these are worth a look if you need information or reassurance.

Try www.expatnetwork.co.uk, which has good links (Expat Network, International House, 500 Purley Way, Croydon, Surrey CR0 4NZ, tel 020 8760 5100). Other websites, www.expatexpert.com and www.escapeartist.com, are also good. The Weekly Telegraph's website for Britons living abroad, www.globalnetwork.co.uk, has useful contacts and links as well as articles dealing with the psychological aspect of relocation.

Documentation

Before departure, visas, work permits, driving licences, health regulations and other documentation must be attended to. Getting the necessary visas from embassies can entail many visits and long waits, but the first lessons of an aspiring expatriate are quickly learned - the acquisition of tolerance, patience, perseverance and good humour. For those working for a large company or international organisation, the documentation is usually done for them.

Preparations for the move

Time spent doing some 'homework' on the country you are going to, its lifestyles, traditions and customs, is very worthwhile. Mental preparation is just as important as the practical plans - working and living in a country is quite a different experience from a holiday visit.

Try searching libraries and bookshops for travel books and up-to-date guides. Embassies should also be helpful on specific information on currency, import regulations, etc., as well as giving advice on what not to import. Other valuable sources of information include Corona Worldwide, c/o The Commonwealth Institute, Kensington High Street, London W8 6NQ (tel 020 7610 4407), its Notes for Newcomers series features over 100 countries (£5.00 and £7.50 per set, plus postage) and gives practical details on what to take, education, leisure activities and health, etc. Employment Conditions Abroad, Anchor House, 15 Britten Street, London SW3 3TY (tel 020 7351 5000) is another useful source of information.

Finance

Arrangements should be made to continue National Health Insurance contributions, as these are an extremely good investment. All financial aspects of the move should be studied and arranged before departure - tax clearance, financial regulations and exchange controls in your country of destination, investments, etc. There are firms and consultancies specialising in this field, such as Wilfred C Fry Ltd, Crescent House, Crescent Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1RN (tel 01903 231545).

Despatch and arrival of effects

There are many international firms that specialise in overseas removals. For those who have to make their own arrangements, it is advisable to approach more than one firm for an estimate. When travelling by air, include as many basic essentials as possible in the accompanying luggage so that you are self-sufficient for the first few days (include a few paperbacks to get through lengthy waits and sleepless nights due to jet lag).

Always ensure that personal luggage is locked and insured. Many people find airfreight the quickest, easiest and safest way of consigning goods. Lists of all contents should be available for customs clearance, shipping agents, insurance, etc., and two copies of these lists should always be retained. Baggage allowances are usually generous and first entry into a country generally permits duty-free import of personal and household effects.

In many countries there is a ready sale for second-hand possessions at the end of a contract, often at advantageous prices, so it is worthwhile making full use of the allowance. There are only a few instances where what is imported must be taken away again in its entirety. Heavier items for sea freight should be crated and listed - translation into the appropriate language can often hasten customs clearance. Hiring a good local agent who knows the ropes can also be a good investment. Realistic insurance of all effects is essential.

Arrival at destination

If possible, arrange to be met at the airport, and/or have a contact telephone number. Make sure that hotel accommodation has been booked and keep all receipts for later reimbursement. Salary may be delayed so try to have some interim financial support to cover this eventuality. A long journey and the shock of new climatic conditions can be depressing until you are acclimatised, so use your common sense and allow yourself time to adjust. Be prepared for long delays at customs and immigration control - patience and good humour will pay dividends here. Don't judge the country by its officialdom! Do not exchange money except through official channels.

Housing

It is unlikely that permanent accommodation will be available immediately, necessitating a few days' or even week's stay in a hotel. Make use of this freedom to get acquainted with local sources of supply, etc. To many expatriates, disappointment can begin with housing and furniture, which often does not match up to expectations. Reserve judgement at the beginning, because what may seem a drawback can turn out to be an advantage. There is a big difference in standards between local and expatriate employers, and there is no firm basis for comparison. In oil-rich states, it may well be that expatriate housing is much humbler than that of the nationals. On the other hand, accommodation may be very luxurious and spacious. The less fortunate expatriate should refrain from envious comparisons and, with careful thought and inexpensive ingenuity, make the best of what comes along. Work camps/compounds and high- rise flats are all very real challenges to the good homemaker.

Medical care

Primary medical care is sometimes much better than one might expect, easily contacted and near at hand. Further care may be available but, if not, serious cases are flown out for emergency or specialist treatment. Large organisations often have their own hospitals, clinics and doctors. Government contracts usually provide free medical facilities. It is always wise to have a good dental check-up before departure from home. Anybody needing medication on a regular basis should take a good supply to last until an alternative source is established.

Education

Very young children are often well catered for by playgroups and nursery schools. For older children, there are international schools, company schools, and private or state schools. These vary considerably, but given a good school and parents who take advantage of all there is to offer in the locality, a child will make a good start. There is often a waiting list and information about schools should be obtained and an early approach made for enrolment well ahead of departure. For those going to outlying areas, it may be necessary to consider correspondence courses, such as those offered by World-Wide Education Service, Blagrave House, 17 Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 1QA (0118 958 9993).

Many contracts provide for boarding school in the UK and regular holiday visits to parents. As the older child might well lack stimulation and local schooling might be inappropriate, early consideration should be given to choosing a boarding school. It is a hard decision to take, but the partings at the end of the holidays are compensated for by the pleasure with which children look forward to travelling out to their parents at the end of term. In some expatriate communities, special events are laid on for the children, they feel special having a home overseas and the experience of travelling alone can make them more responsible, confident and resourceful. If required, Corona Worldwide may be able to provide an escort service from airport-to-school trains, etc. Children are often used as an excuse for wives to return home, but when it comes to children at boarding school, it can be more important for them to feel that they have a solid family base than to have Mum on the doorstep.

Marriage

The move should be talked over very carefully as it can have a profound effect on a marriage. For busy working parents and weary commuters, expatriate life can be an opportunity to spend more time together as a family, and if both partners are keen, the novelty of the strange environment can be a rewarding experience. I would advise against any married person taking up a single person's contract or splitting the partnership for long periods of time, as this places a great strain on communication. Starting again could help to rebuild a shaky marriage, but it could also split it apart if an unwilling person is ripped away from everything familiar. So think before you move.

Single men and women

Single (or unaccompanied) men often live in work camps that are isolated. They have frequent short leaves and money to spend. A special interest - sport or hobby - gives them a chance to form stable friendships and does away with propping up the bar for company in their spare time. Conversely, a single woman may find herself in more demand in a lively social whirl. But this needs to be handled with great care. She is often an object of great interest to the local population, who may find it difficult to understand that she has no husband, and she may receive many offers of various sorts. However, a single woman with a job, with a real and worthwhile challenge, may have an advantage over a married woman without a job, who can find herself with nothing to do all day but keep house.

Partners without jobs

The stress on both partners should not be underestimated, if only one has employment. Naturally, the unemployed person will wish to be supportive of their partner as he or she settles into a new job; but they too will need support and encouragement as they establish a new home, meet new people and adapt to a different lifestyle.

Many women give up careers or interesting part-time jobs to accompany their husbands overseas, and in a number of places, there is no opportunity for them to get a job. Work permits can often be obtained in the teaching or medical professions, but not always near to where the husband is posted. If your husband is working for a big company, it might be worth asking the company about jobs, or considering the possibilities of working on your own or doing voluntary work.

Careful planning and preparation for the use of leisure time (whether it is a result of having no outside employment, or enjoying greater freedom from household duties thanks to servants) is essential to counteract boredom and initial loneliness. There are many hobbies and interests to be resurrected or embarked upon. Join groups with local knowledge, such as those involved in archaeology, history, wildlife, photography, amateur dramatics, etc. Involvement in the local scene through clubs and organisations helps understanding and leads to more tolerant attitudes towards cultural differences. Learning the language or taking a correspondence course are just two possible alternatives for the unemployed partner determined to make the most of his or her stay in another country.

There may be a lack of facilities, and the posting may entail putting up with a number of uncongenial conditions, but there are so many other rewards to compensate. Expatriates are on the whole friendlier and less inhibited than they are in their home environment. In hot climates, the sun and outdoor pursuits can often make people seem more attractive and relaxed. Social life is also important because, with the exception of those living in big cities, you will frequently have to entertain yourselves. This often provides scope for great ingenuity and many find latent and surprising talents hitherto undeveloped.

In what is often a male-orientated society, it is important for a wife to cultivate her own interests, making sure of her independent identity, rather than identifying herself too much with her husband's job and position. And with servants, there is more time to experiment, as she is no longer saddled with the day-to-day chores involved in running the house.

Servants

The availability of domestic help brings with it an easier lifestyle and is recommended for hot and humid climates where your energy will be easily sapped. Many people are diffident about employing servants and don't know how to cope with them. With an initial trial period and the advice of someone who speaks the language and has had a servant for some time, it is possible for a good relationship to be formed. Settle for a few qualities or skills suitable for the family's needs and be tolerant about other shortcomings. Establish what is wanted and agree time off. A servant who is respected becomes part of the extended family.

Lifestyle

Wherever possible, try to respect local customs of behaviour and dress, and be prepared for what might appear odd or rude behaviour. Cultural differences can lead to all sorts of misunderstandings, so reserve judgement, take advice from happily established residents and concentrate first on personal relations. Forget efficiency and don't expect things to happen in a hurry. Polite conversation and courtesy are priorities - sincere interest, tolerance and a joke work wonders. Beware of criticising before you have attempted to understand a situation.

At all times, the laws of a country should be obeyed. Western women in particular may find some cultures inhibiting, especially in a Muslim country, and it is essential to prepare for this. One-day briefing courses for men and women, Living Overseas, are run by Corona Worldwide to counsel on adaptation to a new lifestyle and provide an opportunity to meet someone with current knowledge of their future country of residence. They also offer telephone briefings. Call to confirm costs as these vary depending on the country in question.

Security

Security can be a problem, but common-sense measures, security guards and alarm systems are used in greater or lesser degree according to local hazards. Wilful violence is rare. It is possible for the expatriate to get caught up in political reprisals, but this is fortunately very rare indeed. It is wise to register with the consular section of your embassy or high commission so they know where to find you in cases of emergency - don't wait until trouble arises as communications can become difficult under such circumstances.

Summary

The expatriate can suffer considerable privation through lack of consumer goods and a low standard of living, or can be handsomely rewarded with higher standards of housing and a hectic social life, as well as a worthwhile job. The challenge of helping a country to develop can be very stimulating and even addictive (whatever the conditions encountered), which is why so many expatriates return overseas again and again. Friendships made abroad are often more binding and congenial, through shared experiences, than those made at home, and valuable experience in a job often leads to promotion. The tolerance and understanding of other races and cultures learned through the expatriate experience of shorter or longer duration means that life will forever afterwards be enriched.