7 Vital (Non-Material) Resources for Working Abroad

Sitting in my Montego Bay (home away from home) office, preparing to finish this article that has been on my writing schedule for a year, I am thinking. I consistently add materials to the list when I realize I need an item that I do not presently have, or is just not available when working abroad.

Montego Bay, Jamaica Home Office - October 2013

My original list include the must haves: proper technology, journals, books, cell phones, writing utensils, web access, the perfect bag, comfortable shoes, bottled water, travel documents, and cash. Every person who has worked abroad, or getting ready to, can easily find this information online.

With the above in mind, and taking into account the valuable lessons I learned the past four years, below is my personal list of vital non-material resources for working abroad.

1. Adaptability: able to adjust oneself readily to different conditions. I don't know how many of you reading this grew up in a first world country, and now find yourself working in a third world country, but I am going to speak to that group specifically for this first resource. I grew up with hot water, electricity, abundance of food, stable living arrangements, reliable transportation, and emerging technology. Now I am experiencing catching water, cold showers, food scarcity, passengers pulling guns out on buses, consistent moving, stick bugs, rolling black outs, and a lack of reliable technology. Tip: be prepared for anything.

2. Perseverance:  steady persistence in a course of action, especially in spite of difficulties. I assist with fundraising and administration for a mental health facility in Jamaica, West Indies, and witnessed my first psychotic episode and all out riot last month, right in the middle of closing a business, ending a relationship, and  finding out my ex-husband is trying to serve me child support papers. Yet, still I rise. When struggles persist and you feel like packing your bag and leaving on the next plane (my friend traveled to the airport twice trying to get a flight), remind yourself why you chose to leave your country, your comfort, your family, and remember the benefits you are receiving while working abroad. Tip: stay the course.

3. Wisdom: knowledge to what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action. My father called it street smarts. I am not saying not to make friends, or hang out with the locals; I spend the majority of my time in non developed areas. However, before you start opening a business, buying property, giving money, falling in love, or going off the beaten path, take a moment and analyze the situation. Tip: use your third eye.

4. Support:  a person or thing that gives aid or assistance. When working abroad, especially as a freelancer, unexpected situations arise; childcare needs to be arranged, clients come and go, payments may be late, storage needs moving, phone calls need to be returned, e-mails need to be double-checked, banks place your account on fraud status, and so on and so forth. Unfortunately, family at home does not fully understand the unstable conditions that can occur when working in a foreign country. In preparation of the unexpected, it is best to have people and systems in place to assist in emergency. I truly recommend having an assistant, online communications, family member and/or friend who understands the dynamics of leaving your home base and working in a foreign land. Tip: ask for help.

5. Patriotism: national loyalty. Now everyone may not agree with this, and people who know me will be very surprised about this evolution in thought. When you are in a foreign country and begin to hear foreigner, you Americans, a woman with an accent... all in derogatory tones, you start to become very patriotic. Whatever your nationality, working away from home can get lonely, when abroad; it is refreshing to socialize with people who have similar cultures, diction, values and understanding. Tip: get connected.

6. Faith: belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc. I notice that faith is blended in a lot of my business articles. I am enrolled in an Interfaith Conflict Resolution course, and I need to finish it right away. When working in a country where "science/voodoo" is the norm, it is best to be grounded in a belief system. For example, when you are in a meeting, and suddenly someone accuses another of working science, you are not moved. Tip: know thyself.

7. Zeal: great warmth and earnestness of feeling, for a person, cause, or object. If I received a dollar for every time someone questions why I am leaving comfort, my children, and a sense of normalcy to help "mad people" in Jamaica, I could start my own Foundation. My answer is always the same; it is difficult to return home and live in comfort, while I know there are countries filled with people that look like me and need help. Yes, there is much work to be done all over the world, but some countries have more resources than others, and while my children are well taken care of, some of these people have no one. Tip: stay focused.

Do you have a non-material must have when working abroad? Please share it in the comment section.

About The Author: Sherree Saperstein is the Director of Development for Saperstein & Associates, a Global Consulting & Fundraising Firm based in the Los Angeles area. She has worked in the Non Profit, Private & Government Sectors raising funds and managing budgets of all sizes for over 15 years.