SelinaSelina wrote:Hello I'm a 29 year old British female (Indian roots) working for a large U.S investment bank in London and have been offered the opportunity to move to Singapore.
Naturally I'm excited about the proposition I've always wanted to experience living in another country but I have three main worries:
1. I have no friends and family living in Singapore, so I'll literally know ZERO people. How do you make friends again from scratch?!
2. I'm going to miss my family
3. I've never been hugely independent will I be able to cope?
I have to make a decision by tomorrow and I keep changing my mind!
Welcome to the forum! Good stuff, I was the same age as you first time I got posted to SG too, also with a large US InvBank (via Tokyo). Great opportunity.
1) simple. Almost all of us begin in these shoes. Yes ahead of time you wonder, but it sorts itself out. You socialise via work. Then you socialise via social nights with groups like this here, then with neighbours, and so your friends/group extends. Pretty soon it all comes together. Meanwhile you'll be working all hours God gives, so you won't be at a loose end.
2) Yes, but on the flip-side, they should be excited for you, and the opportunities it will bring to your growing career. Plus, they will have a place to come and stay, and you can show them around etc. It's only a temporary move, and everything about it should be a positive (incl for them). Remember, even at your darkest hour:
Home is only 12 hours away.
3) This is a c30*30 mile island. It's the easiest place I've ever lived. Even English is the main/everyday language - what more could you ask for!? Every question you haven't even thought of yet, is already answered (likely, several times) right here in the archives.
If the $numbers, and position are good, - yes we all have our qualms, that's healthy - but really, it sounds like a positive move for you.