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Abstract
Undertaking Self-Initiated Expatriation (SIE) has previously been considered the domain of a younger generation embarking on a period of autonomous travel and work in another country. Further analysis of a study of young travellers (Inkson & Myers, 2003) suggested that young women's propensity to seek safer travel and work environments while on OE/SIE gave them a more integrated career experience when compared to men (Myers & Pringle, 2005). The current generation of older people are experiencing increased life expectancy and career spans. These experiences contrast markedly with previous generations, suggesting that older workers will be employed in increasing numbers. Yet there appears to be a dearth of research on the individual experiences of older workers and in particular older women. In New Zealand, anecdotal evidence reports that some women are withdrawing from employment and embarking on a novel and previously undocumented older person's SIE. These women appear to simultaneously disrupt and challenge the traditional expectations of older women and the male norm of a continuous career. This paper reports findings from a Ph.D. study of the lives of individual older women. What motivates these older women to undertake SIE? What experiences do they have, why and what outcomes, if any, do they expect? Preliminary empirical findings suggest that for older women, SIE is a catalyst for meaningful life transition. It is a time for refocus, renewal and rejuvenation, where 'rewirement' is the new 'retirement' indicating a shift in older women's way of being and bringing a new and emerging strand of life development and career theory.
Keywords
Self-initiated expatriation, older women, life transitions, careers
Introduction
The beloved New Zealand 'Overseas Experience' (OE, a period of autonomous travel and work in another country) provides an opportunity for young women and men to experience considerable personal and career development. This local phenomenon is recognised in international research studies as 'Self-Initiated Expatriation' (SIE) (Suutari & Brewster, 2000; Vance, 2005). Further analysis of a study of young travellers experiencing OE (Inkson & Myers, 2003) suggested that young women's propensity to seek safer travel and work environments while on OE (referred to as SIE for the remainder of this article) gave them a broader and more integrated career experience when compared to men (Myers & Pringle, 2005)....