Good Information Articles

At Home in Beijing...or Bangkok; Research Studies Executive Expats Living Abroad

Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 12, 2008 -- Steve, a business executive from Dublin, California, cooks his favorite foods and socializes with new-found friends through running and hiking clubs and the occasional "wine and Wii parties" at his Marriott Executive Apartments - corporate housing (http://www.marriott.com/vsstart/mktcmp/mktg_corporate-housing_pr06-11_x/vsend/executive-apartments/travel.mi) with hotel services and amenities -- in Seoul. On a three-year assignment in Shanghai, Mike connects with friends and family in Colorado through video conferencing, while embracing Eastern culture and socializing with fellow expats in his new "home away from home."

Some foreign language knowledge, the ability to meet locals and mix with other expats, and comfortable, centrally located corporate housing (http://www.marriott.com/vsstart/mktcmp/mktg_corporate-housing_pr06-11_x/vsend/executive-apartments/travel.mi), were key strategies for success for the 191 extended stay guests at Marriott Executive Apartments who responded to an Executive Expat Life Survey conducted online by CfK Custom Research North America. For research findings and executive expat stories, visit Marriott Executive Apartments (http://www.marriott.com/vsstart/mktcmp/mktg_corporate-housing_pr06-11_x/vsend/executive-apartments/travel.mi) on Marriott.com.

The research revealed more about this unique and growing breed of extended stay business traveler -- the executive expat. They are largely senior executives who travel extensively - often on long-term assignment -- and 68% consider themselves "expatriates." They tend to be male (84%), middle aged (47 years old), married (73%), traveling with spouses (53%), with either no children or grown children (71%), and in finance and banking, government, technology, manufacturing, construction, telecom, and oil and gas sectors.

Globalization appears to be the force behind an increase in executive expat travelers. Another study just released, the 13th annual GMAC Global Relocation Trends Survey, projected growth in expatriate populations, with most multinational companies surveyed estimating increased (68%) or similar (7%) expatriate populations in 2008.

The Greatest Challenges

Of all the issues associated with long stays abroad, 51% of respondents cited language difficulties, followed by work issues (37%), limited time to explore the new country (32%), staying connected to friends and family (28%) and adjusting to cultural differences (27%).

"Work challenges, language challenges," were top-of-mind for Mike, who is on extended stay at the Marriott Executive Apartments Tomorrow Square, Shanghai (http://www.marriott.com/vsstart/mktcmp/mktg_tomorrow-square_pr06-11_x/vsend/hotels/travel/shaer-tomorrow-square-shanghai-marriott-executive-apartments/). But like many who responded to the survey, he is a well traveled, senior executive who has spent more than 10 years traveling in Asia. For him, the cultural differences were the attraction, not the challenge.

For Michael, an entertainment executive from Los Angeles staying at the Marriott Executive Apartments Longin Center, Prague, Czech Republic (http://www.marriott.com/vsstart/mktcmp/mktg_longin-center_pr06-11_x/vsend/hotels/travel/prger-longin-center-prague-marriott-executive-apartments/), the local language was the biggest challenge and learning it the most important key to success.

Keys to Survival

Although language was the biggest acknowledged issue, perhaps due to the complexity of learning languages such as Chinese, Japanese and Korean, respondents ranked fixing the foods they like in their own apartment kitchens their top survival strategy (47%), followed by meeting local people (39%), socializing with other expats (39%), using video conferencing to connect to friends and family (38%) and learning or studying a foreign language (37%).

The type of corporate housing (http://www.marriott.com/vsstart/mktcmp/mktg_corporate-housing_pr06-11_x/vsend/executive-apartments/travel.mi) does appear to enhance the enjoyment and the successful outcome of the extended stay, with 62% of respondents saying their current MEA hotel was better than other long-term accommodations they had experienced and 68% reporting that it took them just one month or less to adjust to their new home. Eighty-two percent of survey participants rated their MEA location/neighborhood an important amenity, followed by in-room technology (80%), full kitchen (76%), overall appearance and comfort (73%), fitness center on site (68%), knowledgeable staff (64%), spaciousness (64%) and maid service (63%).

"I like to tell my family how good it was to find a place that was within walking distance to my place of work," said Vance, an aerospace executive from Seattle staying at the MEA Shanghai Pudong for up to 12 months. "I also wanted a place where I could feel at home and not feel like I was living in a temporary place."

A permanent resident of Strasbourg, France, Jean is spending up to a year at the MEA Tomorrow Square, Shanghai, appreciated being able to have a friend visit with him for a couple of days. The friend, he says, "...was very well welcomed and almost felt at home."

Patty, a spouse accompanying her husband on a two-year assignment from Houston, Texas, says her circle at the Marriott Executive Apartments Palm Springs - Beijing (http://www.marriott.com/vsstart/mktcmp/mktg_palm-springs-beijing_pr06-11_x/vsend/hotels/travel/bjser-palm-springs-beijing-marriott-executive-apartments/), are largely expats from the U.S., Brazil, Austria, Italy, Norway, India and China. "We actually joke about the MEA being a dorm, as we have become close friends even in the short time that I have been here. We plan outings, exercise, shop, carpool, golf and eat dinner together several times a week. What a group!"

And then there is the nesting instinct that cannot be denied, even far from home. Gina, an automotive executive from Boston staying for up to two years in Shanghai, likes the fact that she can customize her apartment with furniture purchases she is making while living in China.

Expat Advice

When asked how they would advise someone planning a one-year expat assignment in their location, most preached the importance of some language skills, cultural open-mindedness, socializing with locals and other expats and finding a comfortable, centrally located serviced apartment. They also had good practical advice about joining a long-distance broadband phone service like Skype, getting a streaming television device such as Slingbox, stocking up on food items and over-the-counter medications from home and scanning important documents into the computer.

"You will need to reference these and most people don't move with their file cabinet," said Steve, adding, "Bring a dozen passport photos, you'll need them."

"Find a way to meet local people, and take maximum advantage of your stay to get out and around and see the country," advised Philip, a food and beverage executive from Pittsburg staying at the Marriott Executive Apartments Atago Forest, Tokyo (http://www.marriott.com/vsstart/mktcmp/mktg_atago-forest_pr06-11_x/vsend/hotels/travel/tyoer-atago-forest-tower-tokyo-marriott-executive-apartments/). He became an active participant in the Garden Chapel, a small non-denominational church with mostly Japanese members, most of whom had lived overseas and frequently got together socially.

The Greatest Rewards

Despite the challenges, 93% of the executives said the positives of their expat experience outweighed any negatives. Of the possible benefits, they were most enthusiastic about the cultural experiences they were having/had in a different country (85%), their ability to travel on personal time (65%), the financial benefits (62%), new contacts and friendships (59%) and long-term career opportunities (58%). And 84% of respondents said they definitely or probably would accept another long-term assignment overseas.

Respondents of the Executive Expat Life survey were current and recent guests of Marriott Executive Apartments in Asia, the Middle East, South America, Europe and the U.K. Most of them reside permanently in North America, Asia and Europe.

Marriott Executive Apartments, the upscale serviced apartment brand of Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) will nearly double in size in the next 36 months to respond to a growing need in many emerging markets for corporate housing (http://www.marriott.com/vsstart/mktcmp/mktg_corporate-housing_pr06-11_x/vsend/executive-apartments/travel.mi) for executive expatriates needing spacious lodging and hotel amenities. Today, Marriott operates 16 MEA hotels in 13 countries outside the U.S., and 15 more hotels are planned in countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, Thailand, Egypt, China, India, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

###

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.

###

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

MORE ARTICLES:

Business & Family Safety and Health Rating
For good reason, practically every endeavor in life is rated. I've seen ratings on who or what's #1 in business, industry, NFL, NBA, MLB, person of the century, athlete of the century, technology, restaurants, university, neighborhoods, travel destination, best looking, best movie, best book, etc.

Families Mourning Children Travel to Nashville for July Compassionate Friends National Conference
The Compassionate Friends self-help support organization for families going through the natural grieving process following the death of a child is hosting its 31st national conference July 18-20 in Nashville, Tennessee. More than 1300 parents, siblings, and grandparents, as well as professionals who provide support, are expected to attend the conference. Highlights include well-known speakers, more than 100 workshops covering most aspects of grief following the death, a pre-conference Professional Outreach Day, and the Walk to Remember Sunday July 20 at 8 a.m. This conference is annually the largest in the United States aimed specifically for those left behind following the death of a child.

Home Based Internet Marketing Business - Staying Organized In Your Home Office
When working from home there is nothing more frustrating than not being able to find things when you need them. While most home business entrepreneurs see themselves as never having any time, you have to spend some of your time to organize things. If you can't daily, you should at least try for once a week, you should set aside some time to put things where it should be. Allot of people have a saying that there is a spot for everything and everything must be in its assigned place.

Work At Home Internet Home Business Opportunity
There are various opportunities for work at home Internet home business opportunities on the Internet Because of the Internet, there are many opportunities for people to be able to take care of their families and work from home and as well

Internet Marketing Business - Your Home Based Internet Marketing Business and the Freedom Attached with it
There are various reasons why there are many individuals who want to start their own home-based Internet marketing business. Some are saying that the amount of money that they are earning from Internet marketing is higher compared to their monthly salary from their regular work. It even comes to a point that they are earning money similar to or more than the salary of their managers and department heads! This is relatively true, since there are Internet marketers who are earning as much as a hundred thousands of dollars within a month.

Family Circus - Make Time For Family With An Internet Business
Sometimes, it seems like you don?t have a full 24 hours in a day. Between work, family, and sleep, there is no time for anything else. You never seem to have five minutes to relax, and on days when work requires overtime, you lose time with your family. In fact, it seems you never spend quality time with your children anymore. One way to get your life back under your control and manage time better is to start your own internet business. With an online business opportunity, you can decrease your work hours overall, as well as become more flexible and available for your family.

Work From Home - Online Resource Center for Home Based Online Jobs and Internet Based Business
Welcome to Work from Home?s ?an online guide and resource website to help you Start and grow your Home based Job and Business. Please note that we are only offering information on Work from Home Jobs and Business opportunities. We are not offering you a job or a business tie-up. Please read through the website as you will find valuable information and resources to start and grow your home based business. www.homebasedonlinejobs.com

The Best Internet Connection For A Top Home Internet Business
When it comes to working at your home business one of the most important things you will need is internet access Having a fast and relatively error free Internet connection is imperative for a person to be successful in working at home

Family Travel at its Finest - European Villa Rentals Perfect for the Whole Family
Parents can easily find family friendly villa rentals in Europe with Rentvillas.com.

Internet Home Based Business : Legitimate Work at Home Jobs Opportunities and Advantages
There are many advantages involved in choosing an internet home based business as your primary or secondary source of income Use these benefits to find a legitimate work at home jobs that suits your needs and desires

Making Time For Your Family and a New Internet Home Business
Starting your own internet home business can be a very fulfilling experience. It offers many new and exciting challenges, with the hopes of providing financial security for you and your family.

Children's Home Society & Family Services Receives Reaccreditation to Once Again Facilitate Adoptions in Russia
Children's Home Society & Family Services, a Minnesota-based international adoption service provider, announced today it has been re-accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation to facilitate adoptions in that country.

Low-Income Families in Portland Will Soon Have Free Broadband Internet at Home
Cricket Will Provide Free High-Speed Wireless Internet to 100 Portland Families in Pilot Program with One Economy

SoGoNow.com -- Home of the Best Travel Article Written for the Internet in 2006
SoGoNow.com travel magazine announced that frequent contributor Linda Fasteson has won First Prize for the Best Travel Article Written for the Internet from The North American Travel Journalist Association.