Mark and Taylor are living fulltime in the country of Bahrain, with Mark working as an HR professional in a major hospital system and Taylor taking care of their family at home. Their decision to live full-time in this mesmerizing country was fueled by an irresistible blend of career opportunities and the allure of a new cultural experience.
“It’s fantastic (because) I feel like I’ve found my people,” Taylor says smiling as she begins describing the eclectic community brought into her life since moving to the Middle East. There’s an 18-year-old young woman learning English and her mom who speaks not a word of it. Taylor's Arabic tutor and husband have become good friends, as well as a North American couple in their 60s they've met.
“It’s fantastic (because) I feel like I’ve found my people.” - Taylor
The languages, ages, and nationalities vary, but that’s the beauty of it! It’s a tiny glimpse of the beautiful diversity of God’s world coming together in the form of community.
This is what Mark and Taylor prayed for when they took a step of faith and moved to the region for a job opportunity. But picking up a life and family to start over in a new country wasn’t easy - particularly when it came to finding “their people.”
Mark quickly realized that he brought with him a set of cultural expectations that may not seamlessly transfer to his new work environment. Here are the 3 things he learned:
Curious about what it is like to live and work in another country? Adilstone Abroad is a new segment from The World at Work newsletter that focuses on the lives of individuals and families that have made the move to another country for a job opportunity in order to provide insight and advice to others. Be sure to follow The World at Work for even more stories from across the globe!
Disclaimer: The names and other identifying information used in this article have been changed at the request of the subjects involved. These changes have been made to respect their privacy and protect their confidentiality. However, it is important to note that these alterations in no way compromise the integrity or accuracy of the information shared. The facts, experiences, and insights presented within this article remain truthful and reliable, providing valuable knowledge and understanding on the subject matter.
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