3.5 If I am going to move abroad, how long should I go for?
That decision is often made for you by the nature of the contract on offer. In general terms, the longer you can work abroad the more useful you will become. Unless you go for a reasonable length of time, the difficulties of adjusting to the new situation and 'learning the ropes' may outweigh any benefit to be gained by those you are going to help. On average, you start to be become professionally 'useful' by the end of your first year and should have achieved a reasonable grasp of language and culture by the end of your third year. However, the longer you stay, the more difficult it may become to maintain revalidation and re- entry to the UK may prove to be more difficult.
My thanks to Chris Lavy, Eldryd Parry, Ian Spillman and Nick Wooding, all of whom have worked overseas and have a continuing involvement, for their helpful comments and advice.
First edition 1994 - Entitled ‘A Medical Missions Handbook’ by Peter Saunders.
Second Edition 1998 (updated April 2000)
Third Edition September 2003 - by Peter Armon
Fourth Edition 2007 – renamed ‘Working Abroad’ - totally revised & rewritten by Peter Armon
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