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Jen Fuhrman
In the spring issue of The Future Actuary, “A Guide to Working Abroad—Part 1” focused on what an actuary moving overseas should do to prepare for the big move. This second part of the series will take you through the next steps in having as smooth of a relocation as possible.
After carefully ensuring you have all your necessary papers and researching and planning every step, it is finally time to embark on your new adventure. You’ve decided to uproot yourself for a good reason, so even if your first few days are filled with uncomfortable uncertainty, remember that it’s only the beginning. There will be a period of adjustment, and if nothing else, every bump along the road will make for a great story later on!
Lesley Traverso, managing director of DW Simpson Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, looks after DW Simpson offices outside the United States and has also moved from London to Australia. She offers some advice that specifically addresses the concerns of newly transplanted actuaries overseas. David Keller is an FSA who is currently working in Japan. He has also worked in Hong Kong, and while he was in school, studied in Germany for a year. Both Traverso and Keller suggest ways for actuaries working abroad to become comfortable in their new countries.
What to do upon arrival:
Log onto the Web site of the relevant actuarial society/institute.
Read back copies of the local actuarial magazine and other publications.
Make sure you know the requirements for becoming a Fellow in your new location.
As part of the interview process, ask to meet or speak with new colleagues, not just line managers and HR, to get a real feel for the people and the culture of the organization.
As soon as you arrive, quickly make sure you attend any actuarial forums, discussions or meetings to meet others in the local actuarial community.
Ask to join a working party or committee. Most are crying out for people to help, and it is a great way to meet influential members of the local profession and learn about how things work directly and from people outside of your day-to-day work circle.
If you are near to a university that offers an actuarial science degree, go and talk to one of the professors. They will be able to point you in the direction of useful publications about the local market, not just directly related to scientific actuarial work, but also about the issues and challenges that have faced the local insurance market in the previous few years that influence future day to day work. An example of this from Australia would be for someone to read the story of the HIH insurance company collapse, as this forced through new regulations and greatly influenced the approach to pricing and valuations, which takes place now.
Separated by a Common Language
Research has taken a look at how actuaries in different parts of the world describe certain technical aspects of their work. This was carried out in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, and it was quite revealing that even seemingly basic definitions or descriptions varied in meaning in the different countries. Imagine how this is exacerbated if one moves to a country where you are working
in a second or third language.
This, according to Traverso, is one of the most important aspects for an actuary to be aware of. There is nothing worse than getting into a new role and feeling challenged because you misinterpret or misunderstand a seemingly straightforward concept. Language differences can often cause amusement at best and embarrassment at worse. Keller says, “Terminology is only one of the communication issues, when you take a position in a foreign country.” For example, in Japan it is particularly challenging because the Japanese have adopted many words from the English language. There is only one problem—when they adopt the word, they don't always adopt the meaning. Japanese people expect you to understand these words with the Japanese meanings because they assume that the word and meaning came directly from English. About 5 to 10 percent of these words actually come from Portuguese, German and other languages. One example is when a Japanese person tells you they live in a mansion. They are not bragging. Actually they are saying they live in a tiny apartment.
Try reading up on language and cultural differences to better prepare yourself, but always "go with the flow," and be willing to have people laugh at/with you. A good site for American, British and Canadian language differences is http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/~jphb/american.html.
Spouses and children
As for your spouse finding a job abroad, ask your human resources department to recommend a recruiter specializing in your spouse’s field. Online job boards are also a good place to start. Typically, it is easier for a spouse to find a job once he or she has settled. Looking for a job before the move may be difficult, especially when a face-to-face interview is required.
It is not worth waiting when finding your children’s new school. Most kids attend private schools that are following a curriculum consistent with their schools at home. Word of mouth is important, as are interviews, to understand whether the school will be a good fit for your kids. It is important to choose a school early in the process, as it often has an impact on where you choose to live.
Friends and fun
Keller says he has always found a social group through his church. Many people do so through work as well. Local playgroups are a good place to meet new people, including the spouses of work colleagues. A lot depends on your interests. Most expatriates learn to be quick to make friends, as people often come and go. Be sure not to befriend only expatriates, though. Why move somewhere new only to surround yourself with the familiar? The more you get to know locals in a social setting, the better you will understand the culture and the more comfortable you will become both socially and professionally.
Be flexible and realize that things will probably take longer than you expect. One of the things that took Keller the longest was figuring out how to drive in Tokyo. He shares, “I recall calling my wife around 7:30 one night saying that I wasn't quite sure where I was and didn't know when I would get home, but that I would keep trying.” Eventually, of course he made it! With patience and a sense of humor, you too will survive any unexpected detours.
Visit www.actuarialoutpost.com, the largest and most visited actuarial discussion forum globally. This forum has been around since 2001. Specifically, there are many international discussion sections near the bottom of http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/actuarial_discussion_forum/, at http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/actuarial_discussion_forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9, and it answers many questions in those areas regarding international actuarial moves.
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