Orientation trip

The 'Look-and-See' Visit

An orientation trip, often called a 'look-and-see' trip, is a pre-decision visit to the new location offered to a candidate who is seriously considering an international job offer. The company sponsors a short trip, typically lasting a few days to a week, for the candidate and often their partner or family. The purpose is twofold. Firstly, it allows the company to further sell the location and the lifestyle to the candidate, reinforcing the job offer. Secondly, and more importantly, it gives the family a realistic, on-the-ground impression of their potential new life. During the trip, they can explore different neighborhoods, visit international schools, experience the local culture and transportation, and get a feel for the cost of living. It is a crucial due diligence tool designed to reduce the risk of a failed relocation, where an employee accepts a job only to have their family be unhappy and want to return home a short time later. A failed relocation is extremely costly for a company, so the investment in an orientation trip is seen as a prudent risk-management strategy.

These trips are often highly structured and managed by a relocation agent. The itinerary might include a guided city tour, pre-arranged meetings at international schools, and a home-finding tour to see representative examples of available rental properties. This provides a compressed but informative snapshot of what life could be like. For the family, this is an invaluable opportunity to ask critical questions and address their biggest concerns. Is this a city where we can see ourselves living? Are the schools a good fit for our children? How difficult will the daily commute be? Answering these questions before the final decision is made can be the difference between a successful transition and a stressful, unhappy experience.

A Curated Reality

While incredibly useful, it is important for a candidate on an orientation trip to maintain a healthy sense of skepticism and recognize that they are being shown a carefully curated version of reality. The relocation agent and the company have a vested interest in presenting the location in the best possible light. You will likely be shown the most desirable neighborhoods, the best-equipped schools, and the most attractive—and often most expensive—rental properties. The experience is designed to be positive and reassuring. It is unlikely to include a visit to a crowded municipal office to wait in line for a BSN, or a realistic simulation of a rainy, rush-hour commute on a packed tram.

To get the most out of the trip, it is vital to be proactive. Do your own research beforehand. Identify specific neighborhoods or suburbs you are interested in and ask the agent to take you there, even if they aren't on the standard tour. Try to break away from the official itinerary for a few hours to explore independently. Visit a local supermarket to get a real sense of grocery prices. Use public transport. Talk to other expats you might know in the city to get their unfiltered opinions. The orientation trip provides a fantastic but ultimately artificial preview. The goal is to peel back the layers of this curated presentation to make an informed, clear-eyed decision about a life-changing move.