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Predeparture Training for Expatriates

As businesses continue to globalize, there is a consequent rise in the number of expatriates sent to foreign countries for temporary assignments. Majority of these expatriates find it difficult to settle abroad and successfully accomplish their assignments due to cultural differences and other differences in both social, political and economic conditions. As a result, expatriate failure stands at approximately 30%, depending on location and industry, and this causes multinational corporations to incur losses amounting to millions of dollars. Since most of the failures result from cross-cultural challenges, there is a growing need for rigorous predeparture training for expatriates to help them anticipate the challenges they are likely to face in the host countries, and thus prepare to tackle them. 

Pre-departure training for expatriates encompasses a wide range of training programs, such as cross-cultural training (CCT), designed to create awareness among potential expatriates about the conditions and challenges they are likely to face when they move abroad to work on their assignments. When delivered effectively, it allows the “soon-to-be” expatriates to personalize their learning so that they can anticipate, and accordingly plan for challenges they may face when working and living abroad with their families.

Benefits of Predeparture Training for expatriates

            Some of the benefits that come with predeparture training include;

•       Clear understanding of assignment goals and role expectations

•       Better Integration into the culture and other conditions of the host country

•       Improved language skills

•       Increased knowledge of in-country that the expatriate may expect

•       Happy families due to reduced concerns over family matters

            HR managers planning to send expatriates abroad should ensure their predeparture training programs includes 5 key components or topics; namely, cross-cultural awareness, general information about the host country, language skills, goals and expectations of the assignment and the support that the expatriate will be entitled to while working abroad. Cultural awareness training should focus on identifying the cultural similarities and differences in the host nation and demonstrating measures that the expatriate can take to overcome culture shocks and successfully align with the new culture. On the hand, training on information about the host country should focus on such areas as the country’s politics, taxation and insurance policies, traffic rules, medical treatment and plans, finding a place to live, and education among other factors

            It is important to equip expatriates who are about to be send on assignments in Mexico with basic knowledge about the country’s political system. Even though they might not be allowed to participate in the country’s politics, having such knowledge is necessary to help them understand the time when political atmosphere will pervade the country as well as when to allow their subordinates to exercise their voting rights. For instance, the fact that Mexicans have the right to suffrage means that expatriates in management positions must give the host country nationals permission to participate in national elections.