Moving to another country changes more than your address.
It changes the way you communicate, the way you solve problems and, perhaps most importantly, the way you understand people.
When I moved from Latvia to the UK ten years ago, I already spoke English. I thought that would be one of the biggest challenges behind me.
I quickly realised speaking a language and understanding how people communicate are two very different things.
The technical terminology was one thing, but it was the culture that surprised me most. The way people communicate in the workplace, how conversations are approached and even how feedback is given all felt very different.
Looking back, I don’t think those differences made my job harder.
They made me better at it.
Learning Doesn’t Stop When You Change Countries
Before joining PLG, I worked across property sales, lettings and holiday accommodation, both in Latvia and the UK.
Although property is property wherever you are, every market has its own way of doing things.
When I first started working in the UK, I found myself constantly asking questions.
Why is this done like that?
Would we approach this differently somewhere else?
Rather than assuming one way was right, I learned to stay curious.
That curiosity is something I’ve carried with me throughout my career.
Even today, if I’m unsure about something, I ask.
One of the strengths of working at PLG is being surrounded by people with different areas of expertise. Property Finding doesn’t happen in isolation, and there’s always someone willing to share their knowledge or offer another perspective.
You never stop learning.
Property Finding Is About People First
One thing that hasn’t changed, regardless of the country I’ve worked in, is that property has always been about people.
Years ago, I worked in banking, where we often talked about putting people first.
It’s something I’ve realised applies just as much to Property Finding.
Every client has a different story.
Every family has different priorities.
Every search brings its own challenges.
The property is only one part of that.
Understanding the people behind it is what really matters.
Different Backgrounds Bring Different Perspectives
Working in another country has also changed the way I approach clients.
We all see the world through our own experiences.
Culture, family life and previous experiences all influence what feels familiar, comfortable or important.
Having experienced those differences myself, I think I naturally spend more time listening before making assumptions.
No two clients approach decisions in exactly the same way.
The more experiences you have throughout your career, the more perspectives you’re able to bring to every project.
For me, that’s become one of the biggest advantages of working in different environments.
Confidence Comes From Asking Questions
People sometimes assume experience means having all the answers.
I’ve found the opposite.
Experience teaches you which questions to ask.
Whenever I’m working on something unfamiliar, I don’t rely on guesswork.
I rely on the people around me.
At PLG, we have specialists across Property Finding, Architecture and the wider team, and that collaboration is one of our biggest strengths.
No one is expected to know everything.
The important thing is knowing where to find the right answer.
Communication Matters More Than Ever
Something I’ve become particularly aware of is how important communication is throughout a project.
Keeping client teams informed isn’t just about providing updates.
It’s about making sure everyone understands where a project has reached, what decisions have been made and what happens next.
That’s one of the reasons I value our regular project updates so much.
They’re useful for the wider client team, but they’re also an opportunity for me to reflect on the progress we’ve made and what’s coming next.
Good communication builds confidence.
Keeping an Open Mind
If someone asked me what advice I’d give to anyone moving to work in another country, it would be simple.
Come with an open mind.
Be prepared to learn.
Don’t assume your previous experience has all the answers.
Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned haven’t come from property at all.
They’ve come from working with different people, different cultures and different ways of thinking.
Looking back, moving to the UK didn’t just change where I worked.
It changed how I work.
And I think that’s made me a better person and also Property Finder.
