Living Overseas: A Book of Preparations

by Ted Ward

Gives practical advice about learning to live in foreign cultures, discusses common problem areas, such as time and food, and stresses the importance of interpersonal relationships

Genres: 20th Century

358 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Laura Brose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it is dated (mention is made of sharing videocassettes among one's group of overseas sojourners as a means for expats to keep up to date with events "back home" and a means of having an English-language leisure activity, while the internet and e-mail, are not presented as options.) it is still worth reading for the useful information that some of the approaches to "orientation" given to various groups of would-be expats are incomplete or one-sided at best; counter-productive at worst. The approaches may differ depending upon whether it is a would-be executive or a missionary being sent abroad, but each must be conscious of the bias and limitations of whatever they are told before they enter the new country. Though hopefully this situation has gotten better and in our times, there is more knowledge and more cultural sensitivity, this book tells you of a number of possible things to watch out for (including but not limited to advice that primarily consists of a list of "don'ts") and recommends that when in-country, you should seek help from at least one "bridge" person-one who speaks both languages well, and has some acquaintance with your culture as well as that of the other country. And, if you can at some point_become_ a bridge person for someone else, so much the better. One thing which most books of this sort probably don't advocate but this one does is something truly mind-expanding and helpful, a sort of Jesuit examen of pre-concieved notions and the capacity to adapt to and learn from another culture: under the sub-chapter heading "Baggage Check" you and/or your family or group of colleagues, are challenged to ask self-evaluating questions about your "cultural baggage". Another similar exercise has you and/or your group take a tour of an unfamiliar neighborhood and write down answers to such questions as "what surprised you".
There is a list of resources in the back (also dated). Most of the information about such things as living conditions in individual countries and intercultural relations you had to send away for when this book was written in the 1980s, can now be found online with a basic internet search.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful, insightful book for those who are planning to begin a cross-cultural adventure. Ward pokes fun at "american-isms" that should be avoided.