US American living in Europe since 2009, this being at least my third time round depending how you count it. Originally from Northern California and have lived

US American living in Europe since 2009, this being at least my third time round depending how you count it. Originally from Northern California and have lived in different parts of Germany and in Budapest, Hungary. It’s incredibly rewarding but also sometimes frustrating. If I can give anyone any advice, it’d be: 1. Learn the local language. Nobody respects an expat who doesn’t make a proper effort to learn and use the language. You might still have local friends but they will, and should, think less of you if you lean on English too much. 2. Go back home regularly. It’s easy to lose perspective, especially if you’re often confronted with distorted opinions (positive or negative) about the place you come from. I go back to California every six months, and I recommend going at least once a year, even if home is very far from where you live. 3. Stay humble. It’s natural to form opinions about your host country but it’s important to remember you’re a guest, and that you don’t understand everything about the locals no matter how well you speak the language or how long you live there. That doesn’t mean you never get to complain about the obstinance of the Elbonians, just keep it light. And try not to tell people how to vote. :-) 4. Manage your expectations. If you’re from the US and in tech you will most likely be making less money and have fewer career opportunities than at home. That’s ok: you should be aware of what else you’re getting from the experience and be satisfied with that bargain. Techies live pretty well everywhere, so avoid thinking about dollar figures or Gooface interviews. Unless you’re super into Gooface, in which case go where they have offices. My life has been greatly enriched by “going international” and I recommend it to anyone with an open mind. I could imagine living in the US again, but I can’t imagine viewing that as a permanent arrangement.