Many expatriates move abroad never to return home — that may not be a big surprise if you find yourself living in one of the world’s friendliest countries.
According to Forbes magazine’s analysis of recent research published by HSBC Bank, Canada is the friendliest country in the world in which to live followed by Bermuda and South Africa.
The findings were revealed as part of HSBC’s International Expat Explorer survey, which questioned 4,127 expatriates living in over 100 countries.
“The survey was devised because, as a business, we wanted to better understand the expat community and the issues and challenges they face whilst living or relocating overseas,” said Lisa Wood, head of marketing at HSBC Bank International. “Since the launch, we’ve watched it grow into the world’s largest survey of expats.”
Forbes analyzed the results across four categories:
- Ability to befriend locals.
- Success in learning the local language.
- Capacity for integration into the community.
- Ease at which they fit into the new culture.
Forbes named the United States as the 4th friendliest country in the world followed by Australia, while the U.K., the Netherlands and India ranked as the lowest.
Speaking to Forbes Magazine, one survey respondent explained how challenging she had found her life in Delhi: “The simple existence is challenging. It is difficult to be so far away from family and friends and frustrating at times to feel as if you’re nomads in a country that has adopted you, yet will never quite feel like home.”
However, an expatriate speaking to India Today voiced her disagreement saying, “I have been traveling to India for more than nine years and I find people here really hospitable and accommodating.”
What’s your experience of living overseas? How friendly have you found the locals in your host country? We’d love to hear of your experiences and opinions.
Read the full article: http://www.forbes.com/2011/04/08/worlds-friendliest-countries-business-expats.html
