The expatriate underclass - Keep Your Life, Family and Career Intact While Living Abroad - page 100

Joyce is caught in a bind between duty and personal needs. Whether she stays in Hong
Kong or returns home, she has something to lose, either emotionally or financially.
Returning home is not the immediate solution for someone in Joyce's situation. Since
she came to Hong Kong for practical financial reasons, if she drops everything to run home,
she will inevitably feel guilt and face resentment from her family.
The lack of direct emotional support from family and employer can create a lonely and
difficult situation. In order to deal with the situation more effectively, it is important to
reach out to friends as well as build one's own inner strength. Of most importance is that
she honestly, and without fear, shares her feelings with the people back home, including
anger and disappointment. This will eventually result in greater closeness and support.
A woman like Joyce should avoid treating herself as a martyr who must sacrifice all
pleasures. Setting some personal goals will give her a sense of direction; for example, set-
ting aside part of her salary to open her own business in the future back home. Taking up
new skills or interests during days off can make life more pleasant. Most of all, such a per-
son needs to put a time limit on her overseas work so that she knows what she is heading
toward and will have a better perspective on her future.