I love meeting expatriates, or expats, for their interesting and unique stories.
They all moved abroad for a reason: whether to explore the world, further their career or to escape from something… There is always a story there.
Different Types of Expatriates
Although of course every story is unique, there are definitely different types of expats.
I really enjoyed reading about the “five types of expatriates you meet abroad” as created by Internations. I therefore wanted to share this with you here.
Over the years I have met all of these types of expats and have identified myself with several of them…
Five Types of Expatriates You Will Meet Abroad
Are you an explorer, keen to see the world? Or are you simply moving abroad because you’re sent there on an expat assignment?
There are different kinds of internationally minded people roaming the globe. InterNations introduces you to five common types of such global minds.
1. The Explorer
The explorer loves to travel the globe, to seek out foreign shores and explore the world.
Displaying a keen interest in all that is new and unknown, the explorer is oftentimes drawn to destinations which differ very much from home.
Asia, for example, is a popular destination of choice for western explorers.
While abroad, the explorer actively seeks out to experience the local culture. Attempts to speak the local language are made, but not always successful.
Explorers are like nomads, roaming the globe because there is so much to see, learn, and experience, with each trip or stay abroad an adventure to somewhere new.
However, there are some explorers with a particularly focused interest in one specific country or culture, then known as country-/culturephiles. For example, the Anglophile.
Self-made expats often fall into this sub-category, spurred on by their love for a destination to make the move abroad.
2. The Escapee
Contrary to the explorer, the escapee is less driven by a love for the unknown, and more by a desire to flee their home.
Reasons for the escapee’s flight may vary, from simply boredom to trouble with an ex-partner or the law. The common theme, however, is typically the further away and the more exotic the destination, the better.
The expat retiree is a classic example of the escapee type. Finally able to enjoy the fruits of their life-long labors, most retirees seek out sunny shores to escape the wet and cold climates of their home countries.
Florida and Thailand, for instance, are popular destinations for the pensioned escapee.
Also Read: 6 Reasons Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience and How to Retire Abroad Early
3. The Foreign Partner
The foreign partner is living abroad not because of a love or hate for one country, but simply because of love.
Regardless of whether they have met the love of their life during an explorer’s adventure or simply at the supermarket checkout, the foreign partner finds themselves abroad because love knows no borders.
Depending on their general disposition and personality, moving abroad for love may be the happy fulfilment of a lifelong dream or have the potential of becoming a nightmare.
Only the end of the honeymoon phase will tell…
4. The International Local
Not a foreign resident themselves, the international local is nevertheless very much a global mind. They actively seek out travelers and foreigners, or are at least glad to be gotten in touch with and are thankful for opportunities to share their local expertise with strangers.
International locals are often returned explorers or repatriates themselves, hungering for familiar accents and opportunities to speak the language, keen on sharing experiences, news and stories about the former host-country. Or they are simply hoping to get back this feeling of traveling and experiencing foreign cultures.
Also Read: Reverse Culture Shock – What Is It & What to Do About It
5. The Classic Expatriate
Sent abroad for a few years by their current employer, the classic expat typically takes this chance to further their career and ideally also get some expat benefits out of their stay abroad.
Being sent abroad is, however, where most similarities between classic expatriates end.
Based on their individual characters and their behavior while living abroad, there are at least three very distinct subcategories of classic expatriates: the alien, the elitist, and the assimilator.
The alien sticks out in their host country and culture like a sore thumb, whether by choice (e.g. culturally insensitive behavior), or by circumstances (e.g. outward appearance).
The elitist similarly does not integrate in the local culture, but spends most of their time, both at work and at home, with fellow expats.
The assimilator, on the other hand, does their best to blend in by speaking the local language and adhering to local customs.
And that’s it. Five distinct types of expatriates you might meet while living abroad.
Which type do you identify with most?
Source: Internations.org
Of course, as is always the case with types and categories, these are broad generalizations.
But I’m sure most of you who have lived abroad or traveled a lot have met numerous people who fit into one of these categories. And you’ve probably enjoyed listening to their stories about life abroad…
Is a Digital Nomad a New, 6th Type of Expat?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an expatriate is simply ‘someone who does not live in their own country‘.
Following that definition, you could say a digital nomad is an expat as they actively choose to leave their home to, temporarily, live in other places.
But it’s the temporary nature that would make most digital nomads say they aren’t expats. Expats tend to move to a new country for a longer period of time while digital nomads move around, often only staying in the same place for a few months or less.
But, personally I quite like seeing digital nomads as a new type of expats. Digital nomads often blur the lines anyway: they might move around a lot at first, but after a while, like myself, many digital nomads slow down, create a base somewhere, and become more of an expat in that location.
So, let me add the 6th type of expat:
6. The Digital Nomad
The digital nomad is a new breed of global resident, blending work and travel as they roam from one destination to the next.
Driven by the freedom to work from anywhere, digital nomads often seek out vibrant, affordable locations with good internet connectivity, from bustling cities to quiet towns.
Unlike the classic expatriate who is sent abroad for a set period, the digital nomad typically has no fixed end date. They’re often self-employed, freelancing, or working remotely for companies around the world, with workspaces ranging from cafés to coworking spaces or the Airbnb they are temporarily staying in.
Digital nomads immerse themselves in local culture to a degree, yet they also connect with other remote workers. While they may learn basic phrases in the local language and explore the area, their focus often remains on achieving a work-life balance in an inspiring environment.
With the world as their office, they move freely, adjusting their plans as they go, motivated by the allure of fresh experiences and new cultures.
Also Read: How to Become a Digital Nomad and The Hidden Challenges of Being a Digital Nomad
Living and Working Abroad
Are you thinking about moving abroad?
Whether for a few months or for the rest of your life, living and working abroad is an incredible experience!
Check out my articles about living and working abroad for inspiration and useful tips.
The retiree makes the sixth type of expat. Perhaps you forgot about us since we’re older!
Thanks for sharing Rebecca! Retirees do get mentioned under The Escapee. And I think retirees can be explorers as well. People retire abroad for varying reasons and in very different ways which makes grouping them as one ‘type’ perhaps not seem correct to every retiree.