Are introverts less equipped for expat life?

Just before people started worrying about the economy and a possible recession, there were many predicting that we were on the verge of a surge in international relocations and assignments. As pandemic restrictions have continued to be removed, Expedia's CEO predicted that this summer would be the "busiest travel season ever"! Regardless of just how much volume increases or decreases, expats are still being sent abroad and and setting them up for a successful assignment is as important as ever to organizations.

In a recent conversation with a new team member, I was asked whether extroverted or introverted expats have an easier time adapting and ultimately succeeding on assignment. I asked them back what they thought the results would be if we did a study, and they predicted that an extrovert would have an easier time adjusting and have higher success rates. 

That brief discussion got my curiosity going and off I went hunting for data. This article from Expat Child, "Life as an introverted expat", provided me with some interesting information.

"Introverts are often naturally self-reliant; they are happy in their own skin without needing validation from others. This is a vital trait when living overseas, and friends move on regularly, and family are far away. Again, a generalization, but something to bear in mind."

"An introvert’s true comfort zone lies in self-containment and ‘time out’ and this can be achieved anywhere in the world. As an introverted expat you are not leaving your comfort zone – you have the unique opportunity to take it with you!"

"Extroverts need interaction. Left on their own they quickly become lonely, depressed and unhappy so as expats, they need to build connections make new friends and accrue a new social circle as quickly as possible. As an introvert, you thrive in your own company and you can be truly self-sufficient in a world that offers an abundance of beautiful and inspiring opportunities for quiet introspection, so embrace your inner peace, get out there and enjoy it!"

Ultimately, this article proposes that neither personality type is better equipped for expat life. The person that has the best understanding of themselves, and prepares for what's to come has a strong chance to be successful on an international assignment. In fact, this article from the Wall Street Journal explains how much an assignment can change one's personality. This expat had a transformation where "Expatriation turned this once over-the-top extrovert into a quiet and more mindful introvert".

You might be surprised by how many articles, books, videos and podcasts there are about how personality impacts and is impacted by the expatriate experience. Here is one of each for you:

9 Ways to Adjust When You Move to a New Country as a Highly Sensitive Introvert (article)

Moving abroad alone | Should an INTROVERT do it? (video)

Introverted Expat: How to Travel the World and Live Abroad as an Expat While Embracing Being an Introvert  (book)

The Introverted Expat with Austyn from Expat Hour(podcast)