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Job Opportunity Overseas


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I would NOT do it. Thats just me, but I like it here in the safety of my homeland. Money should not be a factor in whether or not you go. If it advances your career and the company can "guarantee" your safety (which of course we know they can't) then maybe. But, personally I would never go there.

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Will they flight you out so that you can look around before you decide whether or not you want to go?

 

Also, why don't you contact the American Embassy in the Philippines to see what they have to say:

 

http://manila.usembassy.gov/

+1

 

That's what I was going to ask.... What are the chances you get to take a trip over there before deciding? Everyone keeps saying that it's not worth it for just the money, but I would think there would be far better benefits (experiences) gained from it than just money. I think you definitely need to research it further (contact the U.S. Embassy, visit there if that's a possibility), but if you do decide to make the move, I would expect that it ends up being an experience that you and your family never forget. Almost anyone I have ever talked to who lived overseas would do it again if given the chance, even though some of them had somewhat negative experiences. Good luck.

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Shouldn't all you nervous nellies who say that putting your family in any sort of jeopardy is tantamount to a crime move out of the US?

Life expectancy is low here. violent crime is high here compared to a chunk of countries.

(you know like...france) :D

 

you guys sound lke Mrs lovejoy: "think about the chiiildren"

 

 

I'm not saying that you should put your children's lives in danger, but a knee jerk reaction should also be checked against the facts.

 

I do not know much about the Philipines (though my mother was brought up there between the ages of 5 and 10), but if your argument to not going is that it is more dangerous than here, than shouldn't you be all moving to Lichtenstein or some such?

Edited by Dr. Sacrebleu
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Thanks for all of the advice. Best I can tell from 8-10 hours of scouring the internet, Cebu is not located in a "dangerous" part of the Philippines. I also talked to a few Americans who live over there and work for Lexmark, and they basically said its like living anywhere in US, use common sense and don't put yourself in position to have something bad happen (ie, don't walk through East St. Louis with a Rolex on your wrist.)

 

They've also said the private schools are very good there and the medical care is very good. Hell, my son has two specialists he sees every six months or so, and they are both 0% American.

 

After going out with the wife last night and spending most of our time talking about it, we are probably around 75% for 25% against. I know many say that money should not factor in to the decision, but if we are smart and don't spend a fortune traveling during the two years we are there, I could probably consider retiring when I get back (although I doubt I actually would.) That possibility intrigues the heck out of me. The guy that I would report to over there is an ex-pat who went over for a 2 year assignment and has been there nearly 5 1/2 years now, and he says his family loves it. With my son being so young, I think if we like it we would consider staying through his elementary or middle school years.

 

And yes, I would have dependable access to The Huddle so I would still have a successful draft.

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I was kind of thinking that the day an American turns down a trifold increase in his salary because he is scared is the day that the terrorists have won.

 

Everyone does literally put themselves and their children at risk of dying every single day by doing a whole variety of normal daily activities--but we do it because we have deemed that it is worth the risk. Just do a cost-benefit analysis to see if it works out.

 

Also, try to find an "American expats in the Philippines" internet forum and start asking questions there.

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:D Seems like an odd quote coming from someone who thinks two packs a day equals "cutting back."

 

I wonder what would endanger my son more, moving him to Cebu or smoking like a chimney around him for the next two years....

 

 

No reason to be a dick cyclones. Sky has been around the world and I for one would appreciate his advice.

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No reason to be a dick cyclones. Sky has been around the world and I for one would appreciate his advice.

 

 

Good point Chief.

 

Sky, sorry. I asked for advice and you were willing to offer your opinion.

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I say go for it. I think it will be a great experience for you and your family, and when you think about it, two years is not that long if you don't like it.

 

It's going to be difficult at first to adjust to the culture, but just hang in there and keep a positive frame of mind.

 

mmmmmmm...............Lumpia!

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Good point Chief.

 

Sky, sorry. I asked for advice and you were willing to offer your opinion.

 

 

 

No biggie. I am fully aware that as a smoker I am a completly worthless human being that should be eliminated. I accepted that fact years and years ago. However, this thread isn't about me and my filthy habits... it is about you and yours and taking (or not taking) advantage of a career opportunity.

 

Everyone has an opinion... some have been to the PI and some haven't. Some have worked or lived overseas, some haven't.... so get all the info you can.... which it appears that you are... and then sit down with the wife and make your decision. Simple.

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I was kind of thinking that the day an American turns down a trifold increase in his salary because he is scared is the day that the terrorists have won.

 

+1,000,000. While a job in Iraq might not be a smart move, if terrorism is such a factor that Americans aren't willing to travel / relocate / live their lives, then we are in a much worse state than I thought.

 

Fear is terribly corrosive.

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Cons - far from home and family

- we have a 5 year old son....safety, schools, medical care are a concern

- its the Philippines

- State Dept currently has a travel advisory in effect for Philippines

 

 

 

I've never been over there. I know the $ is tempting, but I think the cons outweigh the pros here. JMHO. Good luck with what you decide.

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if terrorism is such a factor that Americans aren't willing to travel / relocate / live their lives, then we are in a much worse state than I thought.

 

 

So when are you moving to one of the southern PI islands? Come on Rosie O'Donnell, gimme a date tootie.

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My father grew up in a working class family in New York city.

His mother died when he was 10, and his father was in the merchant marine.

He decided that when he grew up, he wanted to do something different, and broaden his horizons. He went to France for his honeymoon with my mother, and liked it, so he decided to stay. They have been there for 40 years.

My father is now 73. They unfortunately had to move out of the house they had been renting for 30 years when the landlord realized he could be making about 8 times as much on the rent.

So they moved to the country, the only place where they could afford the same amount of square footage that they had gotten used to.

My father recently told me " well this is a good place for 5 years, after that, who knows, we might want to move to a more urban environment"

 

Why do I tell you this?

Because I think that it is awesome that a 73 year old man still thinks of all the exciting possibilities on the horizon. And one of the reasons he is that way is that he dared to seek adventure in his youth.

 

good luck with the big decisions

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I say go for it. I think it will be a great experience for you and your family, and when you think about it, two years is not that long if you don't like it.

 

It's going to be difficult at first to adjust to the culture, but just hang in there and keep a positive frame of mind.

 

mmmmmmm...............Lumpia!

 

 

mmmmmmm.......balute(spell check) :D

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Jeez, you have a big mouth for someone who's never traveled further than Denver.

 

And you sure talk a lot of schit for someone who never will do what they say. you are an old mouthy internet warrior. Your greatest stories are what you tell your friends what people you know do.

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I've been offered a job overseas in Cebu, Philippines.

 

Pros - highly visible position in a publicly traded company

- with paid expenses and tax equalization factored in, it is nearly triple my current salary

- ~$50k worth of actual stock (released after completing 2 year commintment)

- would look great on resume

 

Cons - far from home and family

- we have a 5 year old son....safety, schools, medical care are a concern

- its the Philippines

- State Dept currently has a travel advisory in effect for Philippines

- 2 year commitment to get stock, what if we hate it?

So long as there is reciprocal satisfaction with the job, I could stay longer than two years. We are leaning towards giving it a shot. I will say that I am very employable, so I suppose if we do hate it, I can come back and just get another job. Anyone have real experience with this? Cebu seems like a decent town, beaches, etc. They would put us up in a great house in a gated community.

 

Advice?

 

 

Move to Montana and make 1/3 of your current salary. The views are awesome. The people actually speak to you. Your family will thank you.

Edited by Missoula Griz
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Its hard to put a price tag on the value of an opportunity to live/work in a foreign country. I did two expat tours for a previous employer: 2 years in Holland and 7 months in Israel. I wouldn't trade anything for either experience. Having said that, there are some differences with your situation:

 

1 - I was an expat in the late '90s. The world is a bit different these days for Americans abroad.

2 - The PI is NOT Western Europe or even Israel. I was in the PI while in the Navy back in the mid-late 80's and most of what I saw was not a 1st or even a 2nd world country. I imagine services are still way behind what you would get in the US. Though your company will probably do what they can do make things comfortable.

3 - I was married, but did not have children while an expat. I worked with several folks who did bring their kids, however, and they seemed to all benefit from the experience. Most of these kids went to an American school but were still speaking fluent Dutch within just a few months.

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Its hard to put a price tag on the value of an opportunity to live/work in a foreign country. I did two expat tours for a previous employer: 2 years in Holland and 7 months in Israel. I wouldn't trade anything for either experience. Having said that, there are some differences with your situation:

 

1 - I was an expat in the late '90s. The world is a bit different these days for Americans abroad.

2 - The PI is NOT Western Europe or even Israel. I was in the PI while in the Navy back in the mid-late 80's and most of what I saw was not a 1st or even a 2nd world country. I imagine services are still way behind what you would get in the US. Though your company will probably do what they can do make things comfortable.

3 - I was married, but did not have children while an expat. I worked with several folks who did bring their kids, however, and they seemed to all benefit from the experience. Most of these kids went to an American school but were still speaking fluent Dutch within just a few months.

 

 

Is this a thumbs up or thumbs down? :D

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