How Your Enneagram Type Can Help You Conquer Expat Challenges
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Can your personality type influence your expat experience? According to the experts, yes. There are plenty of studies that highlight the close link between certain personality traits and an easier transition into expat life.
For example, research into the The Big Five personality traits has found a correlation between having a high degree of extraversion, agreeableness, and openness to experience, and being able to more quickly adapt to life abroad.
It makes sense that thriving in social situations and being able to go with the flow would help make a major life change like moving abroad easier. It would also explain why some people seem to take to expat life like a duck to water.
But if you see yourself as more of an introvert, or are a little more resistant to change, does this mean you should just pack your bags and book the next flight back home?
If that were the case, I would have moved back home years ago. (I’m so glad that I didn’t!)
Which is why I think the question we should be asking isn’t “Does my personality type make it easier for me to live abroad?”.
Instead, it should be “Given my personality type, what challenges am I likely to face — and how can I overcome them?”.
Luckily, the Big Five is just one of a whole range of frameworks that can help you better understand your personality and preferences.
The one I’ve found the most meaningful is the Enneagram, which dives into the motivations and fears that drive your behaviour.
So, let’s take a closer look at what the Enneagram framework is, the 9 different Enneagram personality types, and how it can help you deal with the unique expat challenges you might be facing.
What Are Enneagram Personality Types?
The Enneagram is a personality framework that outlines nine different types, each with its own motivations, strengths, and challenges. It helps you understand how you react to stress and opportunities, and offers insights into your core fears and desires.
So, how do you know your Enneagram type? You can take an online test (a great free one is available here), or do a little digging to learn about the different types and see which one you most identify with.
A tip I found really useful was to focus on the core fears and weaknesses of each personality type. If there’s one that really hits a nerve, then it’s likely that it’s the one that best describes your personality type.
Knowing your Enneagram type can give you a personalised roadmap for overcoming the specific expat challenges that you’re most likely to struggle with based on your core personality traits.
The 9 Enneagram Personality Types (and Their Challenges)
Here’s a breakdown of each Enneagram type, the challenges each one is likely to face while living abroad, and personalised strategies to help you overcome those obstacles.
1. The Reformer (The Perfectionist)
Core Traits
Principled, purposeful, self-controlled. Reformers strive for perfection and are highly self-critical when things don’t meet their high standards.
Core Fear
Being seen as wrong, bad, or flawed.
Biggest Expat Challenge
As a Type 1, you might strive to make everything "right" and perfect in your new environment, trying to adapt quickly to the new culture. You may feel frustrated coming up against the inefficiencies of foreign systems, like bureaucracy or cultural differences that don't align with your ideal scenario.
How to Overcome It
Practice self-compassion and patience
Living abroad will force you to adapt to different ways of doing things. Try to accept that things won’t always be perfect, and instead see the experience as an opportunity to grow, focusing on progress rather than perfection
Establish routines to create structure in the chaos, but allow for flexibility
2. The Helper (The Giver)
Core Traits
Caring, generous, and people-pleasing. Helpers thrive on building relationships and supporting others.
Core Fear
Being unwanted or unloved.
Biggest Expat Challenge
As a Helper, you’re likely to reach out to others and create connections quickly. However, you may also prioritize others’ needs over your own, leading to burnout, especially in a new and potentially stressful environment. If you’re finding it hard to make new friends abroad, this might also lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
How to Overcome It
Focus on community-building activities, such as volunteering or joining social clubs. Look for local groups where you can contribute your skills
Form connections and connect with other expats, especially women, who can relate to your experiences and offer mutual support
Remember that it's okay to ask for help when you're feeling isolated, and make sure you're not overextending yourself to avoid burnout
3. The Achiever (The Performer)
Core Traits
Success-driven, adaptable, and image-conscious. Achievers want to be the best at whatever they do.
Core Fear
Failure and being worthless.
Biggest Expat Challenge
Feeling unaccomplished or invisible if you struggle to find professional success or recognition in a new country. As a Type 3, you might approach the move as a way to seek success and accomplishment abroad. You’re likely to adapt well but may struggle with feelings of inadequacy if you don’t achieve your goals quickly. Pressure to succeed, fear of failure, or overworking yourself to prove your worth are some of your biggest potential challenges.
How to Overcome It
Set realistic, short-term goals to build momentum. Instead of focusing solely on external achievements, celebrate small wins like learning the language or integrating into the culture.
Recognise that starting over in a new country might mean redefining what "success" looks like, and that’s okay
Use your adaptability to pivot into new roles or hobbies that can bring you fulfillment, even if they don’t align with your previous career path
4. The Individualist (The Romantic)
Core Traits
Creative, introspective, and often sensitive. Individualists feel a deep need to express their uniqueness and emotional depth.
Core Fear
Being insignificant or having no personal identity.
Biggest Expat Challenge
Feeling misunderstood or disconnected in a foreign culture that doesn’t align with your values or self-expression. As a Type 4, you might romanticize the idea of living abroad but struggle with feelings of isolation or longing for a deeper sense of belonging. The differences in culture can be positive in enhancing your sense of uniqueness, but might also lead you to feel misunderstood.
How to Overcome It
Embrace the differences around you as inspiration rather than obstacles
Seek out creative outlets where you can express yourself through art, writing, or connecting with like-minded communities
Make your new home a reflection of your inner world and personality, surrounding yourself with familiar items that remind you of home, and give yourself space to feel all the emotions that come with change
5. The Investigator (The Thinker)
Core Traits
Analytical, curious, and introverted. Investigators need plenty of time alone to process their thoughts and recharge.
Core Fear
Being overwhelmed or incapable.
Biggest Expat Challenge
Overwhelm in unfamiliar environments or social situations. You’re likely to approach your move with research and preparation. However, you might struggle with social integration and prefer to retreat into your own space, which can lead to isolation.
How to Overcome It
Research your new location, and its history and culture, to help alleviate the anxiety of the unknown
Schedule time for social interactions in manageable doses. Challenge yourself to engage with local communities, even if it feels draining (you don't have to overextend yourself, but connection is important)
Prioritise creating a peaceful space where you can retreat when needed
Stay connected with close friends and family back home through virtual means, so you don’t feel entirely cut off
6. The Loyalist (The Guardian)
Core Traits
Loyal, responsible, and security-oriented. Loyalists value stability and are often prone to anxiety in uncertain situations.
Core Fear
Being without support or guidance.
Biggest Expat Challenge
Fear of the unknown and navigating an unfamiliar culture, especially without a support system. As a Type 6, you may feel anxious about the uncertainties of living abroad, leading to suspicion and overthinking.
How to Overcome It
Focus on building a strong sense of community, either through expat groups, local meet-ups, or virtual networks
Establish routines that make your new environment feel safer and more predictable
Lean into your natural ability to form deep, supportive relationships, and seek out trusted people who can offer reassurance during times of uncertainty Knowing the ins and outs of the local area, including healthcare and emergency systems, can help ease your anxieties
7. The Enthusiast (The Adventurer)
Core Traits
Spontaneous, optimistic, and always seeking new experiences. Enthusiasts love freedom and variety.
Core Fear
Being trapped in emotional pain, boredom, or limitation.
Biggest Expat Challenge
Struggling with boredom or restlessness in the face of routine or the slower pace of adjustment in a new country. You’re likely to see living abroad as an exciting adventure and dive into exploring everything your new environment offers. However, you may avoid confronting the emotional difficulties that come with such a big life change.
How to Overcome It
Focus on the excitement of exploring a new culture, but be mindful of the need for stability. Give yourself permission to seek out new adventures, but balance it with structure to avoid burnout
Pursue hobbies and activities that keep your adventurous spirit alive, whether it's learning a new language, traveling to nearby countries, or joining local events
Don’t avoid feelings of homesickness or loneliness – journaling or talking with others can help you process them
8. The Challenger (The Protector)
Core Traits
Confident, assertive, and protective. You feel driven by a need to control your environment and stand up for yourself and others.
Core Fear
Being controlled or vulnerable.
Biggest Expat Challenge
Frustration with bureaucratic hurdles and feelings of powerlessness in a new country where you don’t know the rules. While you might approach the move with confidence and assertiveness and try to quickly take control of your environment, you may struggle if you feel a lack of control or face challenges you can’t easily overcome. This might lead to being confrontational in the face of obstacles.
How to Overcome It
Focus on what you can control and let go of what you can’t
Use your natural leadership skills to advocate for yourself in challenging situations, but remember that patience is key in navigating unfamiliar systems. Find outlets where you can express your assertiveness and leadership in positive ways, such as local causes or groups
Accept that it’s okay to ask for help and not have all the answers
Learn to navigate cultural differences with curiosity rather than frustration.
9. The Peacemaker (The Mediator)
Core Traits
Easygoing, accepting, and conflict-averse. Peacemakers crave harmony and avoid confrontation.
Core Fear
Conflict and loss of harmony.
Biggest Expat Challenge
Difficulty in asserting yourself in new social or professional situations, leading to feelings of being overlooked or unfulfilled. As a Type 9, you may prioritize adapting to your new environment peacefully, avoiding conflict, and seeking harmony. However, you may also struggle with inertia or indecision, leading to passivity.
How to Overcome It
Practice speaking up for your needs, even when it feels uncomfortable or you fear disrupting harmony. Build confidence by taking small, manageable steps to assert yourself – whether it’s asking for help, negotiating a better deal, or simply introducing yourself to new people
Surround yourself with supportive individuals who encourage you to take up space and stand your ground
Keep yourself motivated by setting small but achievable goals for integrating into your new life.
Final Thoughts
Living abroad as an Australian woman comes with its own set of challenges, but understanding your Enneagram type can help you navigate these experiences, helping you feel less overwhelmed by the ups and downs of expat life.
Whether it’s dealing with homesickness, adapting to new cultures, or finding your sense of belonging, knowing your Enneagram type helps you pinpoint the specific challenges you’re most likely to face - and equips you with the tools to overcome them.
So, I’d definitely recommend taking the time to discover your Enneagram type, and start using it as a personalised roadmap for navigating expat life with confidence and clarity.
What are your thoughts on using the Enneagram personality framework in your life? Let us know in the comments below.
