International experience and the economy
Hello again and thanks for all your great comments this week. The following touches on something that's been on my mind for the past couple of months:
I live a blessed life here. I work a steady 40-hour a week job where I am paid competitively, the rent on my apartment is greatly subsidized by my city's government, and (officially) I am given 20 days each year, outside of holidays, with which I can travel. Currently I am able to take advantage of extremely favorable exchange rates when sending money home, and my friends working in the States frequently tell me that I am wise to stay here. All these things I know, and to the best of my ability I work to never take them for granted.
However, back-patting aside, I've begun to wonder how relevant international experience is in our current economy. Clearly after two years I can't (and wouldn't) take back coming here, but what of other young people fleeing from the recession in favor of a freer globe-trotting existence? With the unemployment rate at nearly 10%, "going where the jobs are" seems a smart move, but I wonder if it isn't a slightly whimsical one. Would it be better to take on more undesirable jobs back home and help try to stimulate the economy, or is there a real (if subtle) communal benefit to be gained for individuals going overseas? Indeed last year at UW-Madison more students studied abroad than ever before, but when does that money become better spent elsewhere?
My suspicions tell me that there is a payoff somewhere down the road, although how significant that is I can't be sure. It would seem that young people have always traveled the world for one kind of exploration or another, and in places like Australia and the UK young adults are routinely encouraged to take a year between endeavors to see something new. That said, is the price of global citizenship increasing now that we face an economic situation unseen since the Great Depression? It's unlikely that the current administration is overly preoccupied with the issue, but nevertheless I think it's an interesting one to think about.
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Considering the fact that global interconnectedness will only increase as time goes on (barring a fantastic 28th Days Later zombie apocalypse of course) I find it difficult to argue that somehow the experience living abroad has more economic "cost" than going back and living in your home country. Protectionism didn't really solve too many problems during the Great Depression and early World War II and it certainly won't be solving too many problems now.
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Hi Jeff,
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I think you're really like it HERE in a few years. We will look just like all the really good places in the world like; France, England, Sweden, Canada, etc. Sing it now; equal pay for equal work, get a subsidy every day, Mmmm Mmmm Mmmmm
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Jeff, Early in my career, I spent a good deal of my time in Europe and Asia. To be honest, I didn't think it was a big deal and/or benefit at the time. I was wrong. Now, I look back on the experience and am thankful for it. It broadens your knowledge and builds relationships for the rest of your life. Once you come back, you will have a perspective of the world that most don't have. Consider it an advanced degree.
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Home will be here when you are ready. There's really no way you can place a value on the perspective you gain by doing things differently for a while. As long as you feel safe and have the resources you need, I'd stay.
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Jeff, I had a the opportunity to live and work in Europe for nearly four years. As you know, there is a huge difference between being a tourist and having to set up housekeeping overseas. I had the advantage of living among and working with people who, at the very least, spoke some english. In respect to payoffs, you will find them in the relationships you make which will last through the years. That above all else will be the legacy of your adventure.
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Back to topShinobo - Nov 04, 2009 7:09 PM - Report Abuse
As other, more experienced people have said these experiences will only expand horizons and better prepare you to be an effective leader in your community.
Pardon the use of buzzwords, but getting experience for the new global economy while broadening your horizons at the cost of staying away from home for a few years and in some nebulous not easily quantifiable sense contributing to the local downturn? Sounds like a perfectly acceptable ratio of cost/benefit to me.
mikeyd - Oct 09, 2009 9:56 AM - Report Abuse
Those experiences are valuable, and they will become more valuable to you once you come back and over the years.
France, England, Sweden, and Canada are really good places also. If you have never been there chkursix you should explore the world a bit more, they have very nice and warm people and beautiful scenery. I would suggest the Alsace region of France or BC in CA.
Equal pay for Equal Work also sounds pretty good! Do you think it better that women should be paid less for the same work/position that a Man holds chkursix?
chkursix - Oct 09, 2009 9:23 AM - Report Abuse
RealityCheck - Oct 09, 2009 8:30 AM - Report Abuse
Cindy K - Oct 09, 2009 7:47 AM - Report Abuse
It's still tough here. A number of recent grads, a few I know with teaching licenses, are having a hard time finding work in their field. While the unemployment rate is nearly 10%, the unemployment rate for younger adults is much higher. Stash the cash you can and head back in a year or two.
"Is the price of global citizenship increasing now that we face an economic situation unseen since the Great Depression?" I don't think so.
Black Swan - Oct 09, 2009 3:33 AM - Report Abuse