[HBR] How Living Abroad Helps You Develop A Clearer Sense Of Self

Because we live in an increasingly globalized world, people are choosing to experience life abroad. They take advantage of working and studying abroad – and this seems to be a good thing. Studies show that international experiences can enhance creativity, reduce intergroup bias and promote career success. But, what effect does living abroad have on a person’s sense of self?

Many studies show that transitional experiences, such as job changes or romantic separations, decrease self-concept clarity (the extent to which someone’s understanding of himself or herself is clearly confidently defined, internally consistent and temporally stable). However, the study conducted by the authors of Harvard Business Review’s article found that people who had lived abroad reported a clearer sense of self than people who had not. Moreover, this self-concept clarity is linked to benefits such as psychological well-being, the ability to cope with stress and job performance.

Learn why living abroad increases self-concept clarity and which living abroad experiences contribute most to the increase in Harvard Business Review.