What should I consider before moving to Sri Lanka for work?
Sri Lanka is one of the most exotic, fascinating, and fun-filled places that you can live in. If you have found or are looking for a job in the country, you will surely have an experience to remember. And you’ll be in good company: More and more people are making this decision.
However, there are a lot of things you should keep in mind if you choose to do this. If you are an experienced traveler, some of them will be less critical than others. Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to review things to know for Sri Lanka in particular.
How easy is it to find a job there?
Your ability to find a job in Sri Lanka will depend on your educational area and level, of course, but some industries are easier than others. If you are relatively unskilled, you may be pleased to know that only about 20% of the population speaks English. Therefore, if you can get yourself a TEFL certificate, you may be in a good position to teach English.
You might also be able to land a remote position. Look online for how find work from home on Sri Lanka – there are a lot of good jobs available. Working remotely will allow you to experience life in the country and not worry about rushing to a school or office every day.
What else do you need to know about the country?
There are several other practical things that you should keep in mind before moving to Sri Lanka. They may make or break your decision to go there.
Visas
Depending on what country you are from, you may be quite limited in the amount of time you are legally allowed to stay in the country without a work visa. US citizens can only stay for 30 days on a tourist visa. After that, you will need to find someone to employ you.
Climate
If you live in a chilly area, you may be pleasantly surprised by the weather in Sri Lanka. You can absolutely leave your winter clothing behind. The nation has two primary seasons, which the inhabitants call “Maha” and “Yala.” The “Maha” season is related with the northeast monsoons and runs from May to September. The “Yala” season is related with the southwest monsoons and lasts from October to April. Temperatures typically vary between the late 70s and mid 90s Fahrenheit.
Conditions
Sri Lanka can be a great place to live in because it is cheap, there is a great variety of natural wonders to explore, and the food is amazing. However, you should also keep in mind that cheap countries are cheap for a reason. Sri Lanka is a very poor place, and with that poverty comes a lot of potential practical issues that you should be aware of. Many homes are in extremely poor condition, for example. Power outages are common, and you may well end up with a variety of unwelcome creatures in your home (bugs, snakes, lizards, etc).
You can, of course, find much better housing options, but they don’t come cheap. Because of the distinct lack of a middle class, decent housing is relatively rare and comes at a high price. If you are lucky enough to land a good job, your employer may well pay for your housing. Just keep in mind that if they don’t, you will either be forced to put up with questionable conditions or shell out a lot of money.
Cultural considerations
Remember that, like all countries, Sri Lankans have national traditions that they value. If you go to a temple or other sacred place, be sure to find out the rules of conduct in advance and respect them. Avoid wearing revealing clothing when on religious sites, and remove your shoes and headwear when entering temples.
Also, do not take pictures of religious buildings unless you explicitly know that you can do so. Never take a picture of yourself with a Buddha as this is considered sacrilegious.
Do your research in advance
If you take the time to do your research on the country in advance, you should have a great experience in Sri Lanka. It is a vibrant, exciting country with friendly people and a pleasant climate. Just be sure you know the rules before you arrive. And if possible, pin down a job in advance so you can get moving once you arrive!
