By: Nafitri Riza Devi
Being expatriate, is never easy, particularly at the early stage you arrive, and having supportive spouse is one of the key success factor. Devi is wife of an Indonesian expatriate who currently has been working in Middle East as a top professional banker. Let us find below, how she assisted her husband in adapting her whole family in new place and facing the challenges.
Share to us, how’s your husband’s international working experience and how have you been following him in last years? (please share about his place of work, occupation, etc)
My husband capitalizes on his wealth of experience as corporate banker in Indonesia and thus far we have lived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Doha, Qatar. He was the team leader for corporate banking in Jeddah whilst in Doha he is the Head of Large Local Corporate where he manages a team of relationship managers and support function, and deal with the top tier local companies.
How did you adapt with new environment, and how did you help your husband to do the same thing?
Prior to departure, we had researched the countries that we were going to thus had ideas on the living conditions there. In both places, we live in compound and thus adaptation was relatively smooth as these are professional expatriates’ communities and thus we share many common things. Compound is basically an upscale gated community for expatriates whereby all requirements are being met. For example, the compound include swimming pools, tennis court, recreational areas for the kids, and even mini market. They also provide us with drivers and maid to take care of necessary things.
How about the kids? How’s their adaptation process: new friends, schools, and environment? how did you help them to integrate them with locals?
Our children have been exposed to English language ever since we were in Jakarta, and thus moving into international schools in both Jeddah and Doha were not difficult for them. They adapted quickly to the environment and the friends. It is also very encouraging to see them much more independent and outspoken now. They now view everybody as equal, even the westerners. I don’t think this is the case in Indonesia. Most of their friends and teachers include American, British, etc, and they enroll in many activities together, such as soccer, ballet, arts, etc. A number of prominent locals also attend the schools and thus they have started to pick up Arabic as well, in addition to formal course taught in class.
Do you feel home sick? How do you handle it?
In Jeddah, I didn’t feel much home sick as our home was always surrounded by friends and families who flew to Saudi to perform Umrah. In Doha, is a bit tougher as this is no longer the case. I managed to overcome this by engaging myself with a number of Indonesian friends, frequent talk to the families via Skype, and go back to Jakarta every 4 months.
What happened with yourself, when hearing some important news from Jakarta, such as your parents are sick, somebody (important for your life) passed away, and others?
This actually happens to us as my father in law passed away earlier this year. I guess we can never have the best of both worlds. However, for us, the important thing is that our parents provide the blessing to work abroad. It is always very sad when this happens but live must go on.
Beside international experience for your husband and family, what other benefits you believe received by your family, such as financial, etc?
Financial success is one of the reason why we decide to work abroad. However, one great benefit is on the children development. Being abroad have made them become very independent, outspoken, critical, and ability to engage with people from many different countries.
Do you have personal opportunity to use your education/knowledge by working, being self-employed or running your own firm there?
I had the opportunity to practice my dentist skills by working alongside the Indonesian embassy and provide short lessons to Indonesians working there, as well as involve as a dentist consultant in my children’s school. Am now trying to apply for a dentist position in one of the hospital.
Do you recommend more Indonesians working overseas? And why? And what to prepare as a wife who accompany their husband working overseas?
Definitely. I found working abroad is beneficial to grow the professional experience as well as being closer to the family. The wife should be open minded when going abroad and be prepare to face the new challenges