Choosing Expat Families for Relocation
Foreign companies appreciate the liberal Singapore immigration policies. It is easy to relocate expatriates from the home country into Singapore. This article will give some information on choosing expats to come to Singapore and on life in Singapore.
Singapore is a good place to live. It may be the cleanest city, state and country in the world. That is one of the problems. That cleanliness is partially the result of many rules and tight control of society. Singapore is, at once, a city, the state and country. Some call Singapore a golden cage. Known as a shop until you drop multi-racial culture, many feel Singaporeans are too materialistic. The cost of living is high with Singapore the seventh most expensive city in all of Asia.
The citizens of Singapore complain about the rules they have to follow. However, after their criticism, they admit without strict control Singapore would not be the city that they love.
While Singapore is small (the U.S. Clark Airbase in the Philippines is larger) there are many recreational and cultural things to experience. There are great travel opportunities in nearby Indonesia and Malaysia. Entrance visas are now easily available on arrival for tourists, eliminating previous travel problems to visit places outside Singapore.
Singapore Company Formation – Selection of Expatriates for Transfer to Singapore
Many foreigners from western cultures are not suited for working in a multi-cultural society. Companies must make sure both husband and wife have some type of cross-cultural communication training if possible. At minimum, an interview by another employee who has worked in Asia might provide insight into suitability and adaptability of any proposed transfer candidate.
In addition to suitability for life in a multi-cultural environment expat families transferring into Singapore must be able to adapt without complaints to a very different way of life. Asians complain but do not appreciate foreigners complaining.
As the cross roads for travel, tourism, business and trade, Singapore is the shopping capital of Asia. Singapore can be a problem for families with demonstrated problems in personal credit management.
Frankly speaking, Singapore in particular and Asia in general, is not a posting for a families with any past family problems. The women of Asia are exotic, beautiful and enticing. Singaporean women are self-confident and not particularly seeking out expatriate men, married or not. However, visitors from other nearby countries travel to Singapore specifically looking for relationships with foreigners. They realize developing a relationship with a wealthy foreigner changes their life and that of their entire family back at home. It is important to note that every Western expatriate male appears wealthy to them. The strength of the family unit you send for posting anywhere in Asia better be strong. If it is not, the family will not survive the posting intact. Others may never tell you this but it is a demonstrated fact.
There are no places like Singapore in Europe, Australia or North America. Most expatriate families adjust well and love it in Singapore. The company must realize that families staying too long suffer reverse culture shock upon returning to their home country. For children it can especially be a difficult transition when returning. It is easy to get used to drivers, maids and nannies but difficult to go home without any of those benefits.