The time has long gone since professionals used to get their first position and retire at the same place. This is particularly true in academia. Like many others, I have been fortunate to move from place to place since I was 15 years old. I was born in a small village in India and could only obtain education there until grade 10. Therefore, I moved to a city nearby to complete grades 11 and 12 and later to another city for undergraduate and master’s studies. As this stage, I thought my last move would be to get a job and settle down. But I quickly realized that a master’s degree may not offer adequate career options, so I left India for the United Kingdom to pursue doctoral studies, and later to Canada for postdoctoral studies, where I spent the longest time in one place since my childhood in the village where I was born. I was fortunate to receive a fellowship from the European Union which allowed me to move to the United Kingdom again to continue expanding my research skills and expertise. During this time, I was offered a job back in Canada, albeit in a different city. I have been here nearly two and a half years now.

Over the years I realized that moving from country to country and laboratory to laboratory, provided me with an immense number of transferable skills, in addition to science-related skills. While studying in Birmingham, Nottingham, and Winnipeg, I have met colleagues from many countries with diverse backgrounds, both in science and ethnicity. I have learned how to effectively communicate with others and notably enhanced my networking skills. I have also had significant exposure to colleagues who are active in research in different disciplines of science, as well as members of the community who do not have a science background. Such engagement has taught me how to effectively explain research work to an audience with a diverse background.

Moving internationally requires a few considerations. You should carefully evaluate the purpose of the move and your long-term — as well as short-term — objectives and how they align with the change of environment. Next, weigh the pros and cons of moving to that specific place rather than any other. Often, it is beneficial to examine the long-term gain over the short-term pain. Make sure you visit a place before you consider moving there, and if it’s not possible to visit, research what it is like to live and work in that area, including cost of living. Your willingness to accept a change in lifestyle, adaptability to the new socioeconomic environment, the availability of food and entertainment options, an outgoing personality, and good networking and communication skills are some of the critical ingredients that will make moving joyful. Some of the benefits of moving include recognition in the field; the addition of skills to your CV, which you may not be able to acquire where you currently live and work; and of course, getting familiar with a variety of cultures, food, and people.

—Trushar R. Patel, University of Lethbridge, Canada