Working internationally

Family and friends keep asking me what is it like to live and work in Cambodia? My initial response is always that it is a rollercoaster. Prior to moving to Cambodia, I have lived in a few countries for short stints, but now I’ve traded in my bathing suit for a business suit and moved from the diving board to the board room.

Working in an international office offers more challenges than the usual I dislike my boss issue or the they don’t appreciate me complaint or the typical water cooler drama. One big problem is not understanding what my coworkers are saying. Granted, English is the language of the office and I certainly cannot speak the local language, Khmer, but I am having a hard time adjusting to the local accent and word choice. I feel pretty stupid repeating my questions when the person with whom I’m speaking feels certain they’ve already answered my question.

Another challenge is that the laws I’m referencing in my day to day work have been translated at least once if not two or three times. To say something gets lost in translation is a definite understatement. Law school teaches you that every word is important and to be exact. Having a rough translation with many grammatical errors throws that learning out the window. Let’s add to the mix one of the newest legal systems around with many areas still not addressed by law, and no real precedent upon which to draw. It makes for interesting and frustrating days. Patience is my mantra.