How Working Abroad Changed My Perspective on Career and Success

Introduction

Moving abroad for work is a leap into the unknown, filled with cultural, professional, and personal challenges. When I left Brazil to work in Germany, I was eager to broaden my horizons, but I didn’t realize how deeply this experience would reshape the way I view my career and redefine my understanding of success.

At first, I thought language would be my biggest challenge. However, I quickly learned that adapting to a new culture, understanding work dynamics, and building resilience were far greater hurdles. Working in an environment that values highly structured processes and efficiency forced me to rethink how I managed my priorities and time. It was a stark contrast to the creative flexibility I valued back in Brazil.

Redefining Success

Before moving, I defined success as something tangible: hitting goals, completing projects, and advancing professionally.

But living in Heidelberg and working with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds showed me that success is also about building bridges.

It’s about fostering meaningful connections in a diverse environment, navigating conflicting perspectives, and collaborating with empathy.

Career as a Journey, Not a Destination

My work abroad offered incredible opportunities for growth. Leading ERP transformations for large organizations taught me that every project is more about people than technology.

While technical solutions may be universal, cultural approaches never are.

This shifted my perspective: a career isn’t just about where you’re going, but about who you become along the way.

The Value of My Roots

Ironically, living outside Brazil made me appreciate my roots even more. The values of simplicity, collaboration, and perseverance I learned growing up in Santa Catarina helped me navigate the complexities of an international corporate environment. The humility I gained from my upbringing became the foundation for building trust and credibility in a very different culture.

Lessons That Stay With Me

1. Adaptation doesn’t mean losing your essence: Working abroad requires flexibility, but your uniqueness is your greatest asset.
2. Diversity is an invaluable resource: Being surrounded by different worldviews is a constant source of learning.
3. Success is collaborative: Focus not only on individual achievements but on how you contribute to collective success.

Conclusion

Working abroad transformed how I see what truly matters in a career. Success isn’t just about what we achieve—it’s about the impact we leave behind. Every challenge I overcame abroad was an opportunity for growth, changing not only my professional life but my personal one as well.

If you’re considering taking the leap to work internationally, my advice is simple: go for it.

The lessons you’ll learn along the way are invaluable and may completely redefine your idea of a successful career.