Expats prefer to experience a new culture with old friends

Expats are adventurous people, but family and friends are an important source of support. Although sometimes close can become too close.

The most valuable aspects of the expat experience are the adventure, getting acquainted with an unfamiliar culture and the opportunity to travel. A recent survey the MonitorGroup performed amongst expat singles and expat partners shows that these motivators are as significant to them as they are to short term travellers.

Special friendships with other expats on the other hand are not as important to the respondents. This despite the fact that the contact with other expats is their most valuable source of support. In this respect the second and third place are taken by family and friends from home, closely followed by the support from local people and a language course. Surprisingly enough professional coaching is rated as less influential.

Visits

Family and friends not only are an important source of support from a distance, but also drop by for a visit regularly. The survey showed that respondents on average accommodate five visits per year. As the average stay is eight days, this means that the typical expat has visitors for forty days a year!

It turns out that location plays an important role in how many visitors will pop by. The standard holiday destinations relatively close to home seem to be the most favourable. The most visited countries? France and Spain. Also the bigger cities like London and New York are attractive locations for a visit.

You're welcome

The respondents say they are delighted to have visitors come by. The most important reason is to have people around. One third of the respondents feel they would like to host more guests.

Not everyone is happy to have friends or family over for more than dinner and some drinks though. It can be difficult to have people around day and night. Around forty percent of the respondents feel that visitors in some cases stick around for too long. But, seventy percent is always happy to have people around.