Hey again everyone!
First, I want to say THANK YOU for taking the survey. There was a good turnout, and many people gave WONDERFUL answers to the questions. I really really appreciate it, and it helps very much. Below is a write up of the results. Not every question is analyzed, but the most important are covered. Also, if there are any questions you all have, please post them. I'd be more than happy to answer.
Analyses and explanation:
Expatriates are invaluable to modern organizations. Often, expatriate employees are given a specialized training in their home country, and are expected to employ their skills in a distant location. This results in an employee with certain skills that is rare or unseen in their new location. Although these employees provide numerous benefits to an organization, they also incur problems of their own. Many expatriate employees struggle with their international assignments, largely due to language barriers, cultural differences, loss of social circles, and “home-sickness.” The same is true for their families, which strongly influence the adjustment and enjoyment of an expatriate employee. For these reasons, expatriate employees are also known to withdraw from their assignments, or turnover from their assignment altogether.
Currently, organizations spend millions of dollars every year on employee international assignments. Much of this spending goes toward ensuring that expatriate employees adjust to their international assignment. For instance, organizations regularly create programs for expatriate employees and their families to become accustomed to their new residence, which may include networking them with other individuals from their home country. Alternatively, organizations create “how-to” manuals which provide information on proper adjustment. These methods have provided substantial improvements to expatriate adjustment, but withdraw and turnover rates are still high. For this reason, the current study explores a largely unexplored medium to aid in expatriate adjustment: the internet.
Individuals regularly become a part of online groups, defined as three or more people who perceive a common identity. Online group members share strong ties, exchange personal information, and provide strong social support. Some individuals express stronger feelings to online group members than offline or “real-life” friends. It seems that these online groups could greatly impact expatriate employees.
As mentioned, expatriate employees usually lose their social circles and connections to home. Online groups could help regain these two factors. Those who are a part of online groups create deep connections with other individuals. Also, if the online group is designed to explicitly connect expatriates, then it could also help users feel more connected to their home country. They could discuss topics relevant to them, and reminisce about common events and places. Therefore, the current study is a qualitative analysis of an online group designed to connect expatriate Americans in Britain.
For the current study, it was chosen to administer a free-response survey. Initially, in-depth interviews were considered, but it was unsure whether potential participants would be willing to schedule a time and commit to an in-depth interview. Alternatively, a free-response survey would allow participants to complete at a time of their choosing, and deemed more appropriate. Moderators of a certain internet forum were contacted, and permission was requested to place a link on their website. They cheerfully agreed. Once the link was placed, 26 individuals opened the survey. Of these, 15 completed a portion of the survey, and 11 completed the entire survey. The participants’ ages varied (25 – 51), but they were almost exclusively female. All participants were from the USA, and currently living in Britain. The survey touched on several topics, including the online group, members’ jobs, and recreational activities.
From participant responses, it seems that many members initially joined the expatriate form to obtain information about their transition to a new country. This is a time period which many expatriates struggle. Rules and regulations for obtaining a visa or dual citizenship are often confusing, and information about relocating is often unknown; however, the expatriate forum greatly aided in many participants’ transition. The following statements demonstrate this sentiment, when asked about what participants use the forum for:
“I joined UK-Yankee about a year before my move. I used it to research things I would need to bring, not to bring, what to expect etc.” (Participant 1).
“I lurk for information on visa and immigration updates as well as find out where to find American products I miss” (Participant 3)
“Initially, I used it to get information about getting a visa to live in the UK. Now I use it to get and share general information about how to do things in the UK (get a driving license, register at a doctor's office, etc)” (Participant 5).
Many participants also noted that despite joining the forum to receive information about their transition, they eventually returned to the forum to receive social support and create connections. They discovered other users who had endured the same experiences that they were going through, and found others to talk. This is important, because many expatriates struggle with receiving social support after they “settle in”; however, the forum overcame this obstacle. Therefore, the forum aided in the initial move to the new country, as well as eventual adjustment problems. This is reflected in the following statements:
“It's also been a good source of weird and wonderful information as well as a place to hang out with people who can understand why I think that finding decent salsa is a cause for celebration” (Participant 1).
“For the sense of community with other expats, to help people and answer questions” (Participant 2).
“I use it for social reasons as well. Over the years I have met several of the people on there in real life and we have become friends. I have also used it to help people in the same situations I had found myself in the past” (Participant 6).
Additionally, users directly stated that the forum made their expatriate experience easier. Almost everyone stated that it made the law and visa requirements easier to understand, and general information about life in the UK was helpful to know. A few stated that getting an occasional “taste” of home through connecting with others on the forum was nice, as well as having discussions with others.
About half of the participants have met other users offline or in “real-life.” Of those who met other users offline, about half stated that they remained friends with those they met. The other half stated that most meetings were enjoyable, but “the only thing we had in common was our nationality, it was awkward” (Participant 2). Thus, making offline connections through the forum occasionally resulted in fruitful relationships, but also resulted in several “meh”s.
When it came to work, most participants were extremely satisfied with their employment. Almost everyone stated that their job was fulfilling. Some stated that their job was stressful and they were slightly burnout, or their largest stressor was low-pay. The statements below demonstrate this well:
“It is stressful and boring and sometimes I want to pluck my eyeballs out with an ice cream scoop but it is also fulfilling and in the long run what I think will be best for my son. Plus I assume someday I'll look back on it and smile” (Participant 15).
“For the first time in my adult life I have found a job that I truly enjoy and most days don't mind going into the office. The work schedule here is much more accommodating around my family life than my American jobs ever were” (Participant 3).
“Stressful because of low pay, fulfilling because it is what I love to do” (Participant 2).
“Very stressful but also very fulfilling. I enjoy it, though sometimes it is very challenging and mentally and emotionally exhausting. I feel very valued at work and that I am making a difference” (Participant 10).
Initially, it was assumed that most participants were expatriated due to their occupation. Therefore, it would make sense that their job was fulfilling and stressful, because they would be in “top-level” positions which required relocation; however, this was not found. Instead, only a small portion of participants were expatriates due to their jobs. Many were expatriates due to their significant other, or simply wanted a challenge. This finding may be the most notable of all.
As mentioned, organizations spend millions per year on expatriate assignments, in an effort for their expatriates to better adjust. Those in the current study seem to be successful expatriates, but were not relocated due to their organizations. They likely did not have extra resources available to them that organizations usually provide to cope with their transition. Instead, they solely relied on the resources available. It would be too bold to claim that the forum is responsible for these successes, but it is likely a large contributor. Also, it may be important in the future to conduct interviews with members of expatriate forums to determine their strategies for successful international assignments. Their experiences could shape expatriate programs for organizations, and result in higher success rates.
In all, the current study provided extraordinary information on the role of online groups in expatriate experiences. The forum chosen in the current study certainly demonstrated several success stories, which provided stronger support that initially predicted. Also, the data reveals many avenues for future research. Therefore, while the current study is only an initial investigation into online groups and expatriates, it will certainly not be the last.
