As you already know, you need employees if you want your business to grow and be successful, but at the same time, it’s not just about getting employees but catering to them as well. Just think about international employees for a moment. So, relocating internationally for work might sound exciting on paper, but those first 30 days?
Well, they’re a lot. They’re dealing with a new city, a new language, a new job, and new everything. Even the little stuff feels big. Grocery shopping turns into a puzzle, traffic rules suddenly feel like riddles, and basic errands take three times as long.
But on top of that, your new hire is trying to make a good impression and remember everyone’s name at work. So, yeah, there’s just so much going on here in their life. So, if you’ve ever helped an expat settle in, you already know those first few weeks can make or break the experience. But the goal isn’t just to get them here, it’s to make sure they feel at home, fast.
Because a confident, comfortable employee is way more likely to hit their stride, build relationships, and stay for the long haul. But at the same time, so many businesses just seem to neglect how big of a deal all of this actually is. If their transition is bad, well, they’ll quit, and that’s bad for your business too.
It’s Beyond Just Showing Up to Work on Time
Believe it or not, but getting to the office on day one is only half the battle. Actually, a lot of international employees show up still battling jet lag, trying to figure out how to open a local bank account, and wondering if they’re ever going to find decent coffee (that machine in the office isn’t that good). Plus, they’re trying to do their job while navigating a thousand tiny details that used to be second nature back home.
Now, sure, it’s easy to underestimate how much mental energy that takes, but at this moment in time, it’s so overwhelming when everything is unfamiliar. And yeah, even social stuff too.
Comfort First
When someone’s living in a space that feels like a holding pattern, it’s hard to fully settle in. You really have to keep in mind that hotels can feel cold and cramped after a few nights, and jumping straight into apartment hunting isn’t always realistic when you’re brand new to the area. What international hires need most in those early weeks is some sense of stability. It might take a while to find a home, so why not put them into corporate housing for a while?
It gives them a chance to not live out of a suitcase, and in a way, this also bridges that cultural and logistical gap for them for the first few weeks, too. Yeah, it might seem small, but this is a big deal thanks to the breathing room it creates.
Where’s the Support?
Getting the keys and showing up to work might seem like the official start, but for most international employees, that’s just the surface. The real settling happens later. That’s when the homesickness kicks in, the work pressure picks up, and the cultural learning curve starts to feel real.
This is where the small stuff matters most. They need support, they’re going to feel isolated for a bit, and so having some support can make such a big difference.
