British expats take on International identities

One in five (20%) British expats surveyed said their sense of being British has diminished after moving abroad. Brits are adopting new ‘International Identities' and becoming more localised. However some do still miss certain aspects of the UK such as the pub and the British sense of humour.

The NatWest International Personal Banking Quality of Life survey carried out with the Centre of Future Studies, reveals that British expats are less likely to see themselves as British but will take on an ‘International Identity'. Brits are integrating themselves with their country of residence, taking on a different way of life and becoming an integral part of the country that they live in.

The study found that expats integrate more easily in English speaking countries such as New Zealand and Canada. This contributed to Canada and New Zealand being voted the top countries for expats to live in for the ‘quality of life' as they found it easier to settle.

Dave Isley, Head of NatWest International Personal Banking comments; "British expats really are at home abroad. They still want to hold onto what makes them essentially British and certain characteristics that are deemed as being British such as the sense of humour and traditional British pubs but over time they integrate this with the new cultures and traditions of the country they have moved to.

Almost all (99%) respondents said they had no regret about emigrating, and they had made a good decision to move. However, this doesn't mean they don't still miss life back in the UK, as over three quarters (76%) said they feel homesick some or all of the time. The worst thing for expats is missing family and friends. They also interestingly missed the traditions and culture!

While some Brits completely integrate with the country they have moved to over half (53%) of expats questioned stick to their British roots and feel their sense of Britishness increases in certain countries because of this. Language and culture prove to be bigger hurdles when settling in countries such as Singapore (90%) and the UAE (95%) where over nine in ten expats felt their sense of Britishness had increased.

Dave Isley continues; "Expats may miss certain aspects of the UK, but modern technology such as the internet, satellite TV and cheap travel have allowed British culture and entertainment to be easily accessed all around the world. International Brits are able to seek a better quality of life abroad in the sun but at the same time can keep in touch with good old Blighty."