by Emily Cotlier

I'm a technical writer working in New Zealand, and my jobs here have sent me to Singapore and Australia. When I told my friends and acquaintances that I was planning on moving from the United States, where I had lived all my life, to another country, their responses ranged from disbelief to envy. One person asked me, "Is that actually possible?" Others confessed that they didn't even have a passport.

Over time, I've found that many technical writers working in the Pacific Rim are expatriates from the United States, Europe, and India. In this era of globalization, many others are interested in exploring opportunities in different countries, or accompanying a spouse who is posted abroad. This article offers advice on finding technical writing jobs abroad, setting your own expectations for the new work environment, and getting involved in your new culture and country. It is based on my own experiences as an American expatriate working abroad, and on conversations with other expatriate technical writers. Although many of the examples are based on my own experiences, the information and advice can be applied to anyone seeking employment as a technical writer outside of their native country.