It seems that current-day expatriates don’t have it anywhere near as bad as the expatriates of days gone by, with new research suggesting that advances in technology have made moving overseas much easier for expats.
According to research findings by communications company Skype, 50% of the British participants who were surveyed about their willingness to relocate as the result of a job offer, claimed that they would be more willing to accept a job overseas now than they would have been in the past. The research attributed this change in attitude an improvement in the ease with which they can keep in contact with people back home, with 98% of people surveyed claiming that they felt that technological advances have meant it is easier to keep in contact with friends and family members abroad than ever before.
The likelihood that the respondents would move abroad was higher in younger people, with 60% of those aged between 16 and 24 and 61% of those aged between 25 and revealing that they were receptive to international location.
The survey also revealed that more and more British citizens have friends or family who live abroad, with 69% of those surveyed revealing that they personally knew at least one expatriate—a 21% increase since the last survey in 2001.
Discussing the results, Enrico Noseda, Skype’s head of market development for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “Attitudes towards keeping in touch internationally are changing. At Skype, our mission is to make Skype available everywhere so users can enjoy their conversations whenever and wherever they are.
“With the launch of Skype from your home phone, we are continuing to make it even easier for consumers to enjoy conversations in the home, whether on Skype-enabled TVs, Skype for Windows or Mac, and now via a Skype-ready cordless phone or the Freetalk Phone Adapter.”
If you would like to learn more about useful methods of communication with family and friends when living abroad, see our free article on keeping in touch.
