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Thursday 28th June 2012
Arti Sodha has been working as a pensions actuary at Towers Watson in Lisbon over the past seven months. Here she offers an insight into her daily life working in the Portuguese capital
Describe the work you have been doing overseas
I work at Towers Watson as a pensions consultant and was seconded to the Lisbon office for an initial six months, but extended my stay because I enjoyed it so much! The company recently opened a European Valuation Centre (EVC) in Lisbon. The aim is to carry out pension scheme valuations across most European countries, starting with UK valuations. When I started my secondment, the valuation centre had been open for three years and the office needed expats to come out and transfer their knowledge of UK pension schemes to the Portuguese analysts, check and review work and manage projects.
Explain what motivated you to seek employment overseas
The assignment offered a great chance to hone different skills from those we would typically use in the UK consulting offices.
Also, the opportunity to work abroad for a while appealed to me - living in a new city, learning a new language and experiencing a new culture.
What were the main challenges you faced when moving overseas?
I knew the work would be a huge learning curve, and I was taking on very different responsibilities to those I had in the UK.
I was concerned about whether I'd be able to keep up. However, I needn't have worried - everyone at the EVC was very helpful in training and directing me, and seven months on I can definitely look back and see how much I've developed.
I've never been shy of taking on new challenges, but my time here has given me a much better perspective on how to handle a new system of learning, and given me greater confidence in my abilities.
I thought that living in a country far away from friends and family would be difficult, but there is lots of socialising outside of work and I've enjoyed making many new friends. I also enjoy playing host to friends and family who visit me and that helped with the initial homesickness. Skype is also really handy for keeping in touch with people back home.
What are the main differences you have found working overseas compared with working as an actuary in the UK?
It is different. I am still working with my colleagues in the UK, but in a slightly different way. The work has been interesting and varied (surprisingly so, considering it all falls under the umbrella of 'valuation work'), and I've enjoyed being able to focus on new skills. Working in the EVC has meant I have been able to concentrate on my technical skills and look at scheme benefits in greater detail, giving me a better understanding of the technical aspects of pensions valuations. I have also been able to focus on my project management skills and have enjoyed working with and mentoring the Portuguese analysts.
What is the best thing about working in Portugal?
I've enjoyed spending my leisure time in a new environment. Every weekend has felt like a holiday with a new experience to be had, from sightseeing to surfing, and the time has absolutely flown by!
I work at Towers Watson as a pensions consultant and was seconded to the Lisbon office for an initial six months, but extended my stay because I enjoyed it so much! The company recently opened a European Valuation Centre (EVC) in Lisbon. The aim is to carry out pension scheme valuations across most European countries, starting with UK valuations. When I started my secondment, the valuation centre had been open for three years and the office needed expats to come out and transfer their knowledge of UK pension schemes to the Portuguese analysts, check and review work and manage projects.
Explain what motivated you to seek employment overseas
The assignment offered a great chance to hone different skills from those we would typically use in the UK consulting offices.
Also, the opportunity to work abroad for a while appealed to me - living in a new city, learning a new language and experiencing a new culture.
What were the main challenges you faced when moving overseas?
I knew the work would be a huge learning curve, and I was taking on very different responsibilities to those I had in the UK.
I was concerned about whether I'd be able to keep up. However, I needn't have worried - everyone at the EVC was very helpful in training and directing me, and seven months on I can definitely look back and see how much I've developed.
I've never been shy of taking on new challenges, but my time here has given me a much better perspective on how to handle a new system of learning, and given me greater confidence in my abilities.
I thought that living in a country far away from friends and family would be difficult, but there is lots of socialising outside of work and I've enjoyed making many new friends. I also enjoy playing host to friends and family who visit me and that helped with the initial homesickness. Skype is also really handy for keeping in touch with people back home.
What are the main differences you have found working overseas compared with working as an actuary in the UK?
It is different. I am still working with my colleagues in the UK, but in a slightly different way. The work has been interesting and varied (surprisingly so, considering it all falls under the umbrella of 'valuation work'), and I've enjoyed being able to focus on new skills. Working in the EVC has meant I have been able to concentrate on my technical skills and look at scheme benefits in greater detail, giving me a better understanding of the technical aspects of pensions valuations. I have also been able to focus on my project management skills and have enjoyed working with and mentoring the Portuguese analysts.
What is the best thing about working in Portugal?
I've enjoyed spending my leisure time in a new environment. Every weekend has felt like a holiday with a new experience to be had, from sightseeing to surfing, and the time has absolutely flown by!
Tell us an unusual fact about Portugal.
The Portuguese government has very strict rent control laws, which make it difficult for landlords to raise rents for tenants who've stayed put since the 1970s. Families can be living in an apartment from as little as 20 (£12.80) a month. So Portugal has a real mix of dilapidated property and brand-new developments.
Do you have any advice for others seeking overseas work?
If it's an option, talk to your current employer and try to get a secondment - it can be a much easier way of working overseas.
Where do you call 'home'?
Good question. I'd call both Lisbon and London 'home' at the moment, which shows just how quickly you can adapt, although please don't tell my parents that!
I'm only on a short-term contract here, so London will always be home.
What is your favourite local custom/tradition and do you join in?
The more relaxed, slower pace of life in Lisbon is very appealing to me. Plans are made more spontaneously, with meals always an important part of any social activity. People tend to eat later, and then stay out later, which means you can fit much more into your day. Do I join in? Of course! Living in Lisbon you can have a 'night in' and a 'night out' within the same evening, and there have been several times when I've headed for a night out at the same time as I'd have been heading for the last tube home in England. It's not that I'm a night bird per se, it's just that everything here can be far less rushed.
Have you learnt a new language?
Yes, I've been learning Portuguese since I arrived. Being able to converse in a language you didn't know a single word of six months ago is a pretty good feeling. I can get by quite comfortably in 'predictable' situations such as restaurants or supermarkets.
Have you taken up a new sport/pastime?
I've managed to get a few surfing lessons in, and I generally feel much fitter having walked up and down the hills of Lisbon exploring the city!
The Portuguese government has very strict rent control laws, which make it difficult for landlords to raise rents for tenants who've stayed put since the 1970s. Families can be living in an apartment from as little as 20 (£12.80) a month. So Portugal has a real mix of dilapidated property and brand-new developments.
Do you have any advice for others seeking overseas work?
If it's an option, talk to your current employer and try to get a secondment - it can be a much easier way of working overseas.
Where do you call 'home'?
Good question. I'd call both Lisbon and London 'home' at the moment, which shows just how quickly you can adapt, although please don't tell my parents that!
I'm only on a short-term contract here, so London will always be home.
What is your favourite local custom/tradition and do you join in?
The more relaxed, slower pace of life in Lisbon is very appealing to me. Plans are made more spontaneously, with meals always an important part of any social activity. People tend to eat later, and then stay out later, which means you can fit much more into your day. Do I join in? Of course! Living in Lisbon you can have a 'night in' and a 'night out' within the same evening, and there have been several times when I've headed for a night out at the same time as I'd have been heading for the last tube home in England. It's not that I'm a night bird per se, it's just that everything here can be far less rushed.
Have you learnt a new language?
Yes, I've been learning Portuguese since I arrived. Being able to converse in a language you didn't know a single word of six months ago is a pretty good feeling. I can get by quite comfortably in 'predictable' situations such as restaurants or supermarkets.
Have you taken up a new sport/pastime?
I've managed to get a few surfing lessons in, and I generally feel much fitter having walked up and down the hills of Lisbon exploring the city!
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