"In April 2019, I was ambitious, burnt out, and heartbroken, so I took on a temporary assignment in Singapore with my employer, a large tech-based retailer. In the first few weeks, I was pleasantly distracted by the dizzying heights of my new city. There was amazing food, weekend travels, the lure of a big pay check, not to mention temporary escapism from my aching heart."
"After a few months living the high life, regularly posting my travels online to a sea of excitement, I decided to move there long-term. I was craving adventure and independence, and the extra cash I'd be making wouldn't hurt either. Plus, a smaller, less-established marketplace meant a higher chance of promotion at work. Asia was going to be explorable from my doorstep, and I could run from my problems back home. What could go wrong?"
"Outside of the office, the cliquey, transient nature of expat life got to me, too. I struggled initially to find real friends. Looking back, I know now that I was feeling lost about who I was and what I wanted. It wasn't about loneliness. No shiny relocation bonus or a large expat circle welcoming me to a $200 brunch with open arms could fix that."
In April 2019, moved to Singapore after burnout and heartbreak, taking a temporary assignment with a large tech retailer. Initial weeks provided distractions: food, travel, and higher pay, which encouraged a decision to stay long-term for adventure, independence, and promotion prospects. After transitioning to a permanent contract, apartment hunting felt unsettling, job responsibilities exposed weaker skillsets, and imposter syndrome emerged. Expat social life felt cliquey and transient, making authentic friendships difficult. Emotional disorientation and unresolved motivations led to returning to London after 18 months for a new job and subsequent career developments.
Read at Business Insider
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