Generally, we take a trip to escape the normalcy of morning transit routines, office emails and water cooler gossip. A holiday becomes the antithesis of work, as we eschew alarm clocks and purposefully waste afternoons lounging on a beach, or wandering a museum gallery.
But sometimes, we don’t have a choice in the destination – our boss does. As the stars of these travel films about working abroad prove, punching the payslip in some foreign country isn’t always as exotic as it seems.
Whether you have a job that pays for your plane tickets, or you want to find one that does, these movies showcase the luxuries and challenges of working abroad.
An American In Paris – France always been a destination for artists and lovers; when one World War II vet moves to the country, he hopes to find some inspiration and start over as a painter. Instead, he falls for a lovely young local with impressive dance moves. Tunes by famed composer George Gershwin turn this into a romantic musical of dazzling proportion.
Local Hero – Texas oil executive Mac prefers to handle his international affairs over the phone. But when the company sends him to rural Scotland to build a refinery, he finds himself in unfamiliar territory, both physically and emotionally. Slowly influenced by the eccentric locals, Mac learns that you can’t always separate work from the rest of your life.
Outsourced – This film about India’s biggest employment trend inspired a TV series of the same title. In both, a novelty product salesman risks losing his job as his department transfers overseas. He travels to India to train his new employees and is instantly overwhelmed by the noise, color and seeming chaos of the country.
Roman Holiday – Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck star in this classic fairy tale about escaping the daily grind. From princess to commoner, and foreign correspondent to friendly expat, the two explore Rome as strangers but quickly become more than friends. Both must return to their jobs, secretly harboring the moments they shared.
The Coca-Cola Kid – In an effort to increase the soft drink’s Australian market, Becker travels Down Under to better understand the locals and what they drink. Though his research initially sparks a competition with a local company, this young worker’s actions are quickly influenced by the people and culture of the county.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – Walter works for Life magazine in the photography department, yet he has no life outside of the office. But the journey he undertakes to recover a missing image – from Finland to Afghanistan, and surprising places in between – is a touching example of the dreams that drive us all beyond our cubicle desk.
ARGO – Based on true events, this Oscar-winning film portrays the events of the 1979 evacuation of six Americans hostages from Iran. It’s a political thriller from start to finish, adding big screen glamor to the serious job of the CIA operatives, who stage the rescue by pretending to be a film crew.
The Quiet American – Graham Greene’s novel makes for a sober anti-war story. The events of the Vietnam War, witnessed by one English journalist, become even more politically twisted as the writer finds himself linked to an expat revolutionary. When you can’t maintain an unbiased viewpoint, whose view do you take?
MASH – The classic TV series, based in Korea, follows the dramatic and comedic efforts of a surgical team posted in this war-torn region of Southeast Asia. Medical personalities mix, clash and bond under the constant threat of death. MASH won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Summertime – A Midwestern American secretary plans a summer in Venice, desperate for a romance to break up the monotony of her life. While the city lures her out and into an unexpected relationship, Jane’s no-nonsense background – and her boyfriend’s secret double life – threaten to ruin this Italian adventure.
Medicine Man – Innovative breakthroughs can happen anywhere: in the office, on the commute to work, in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest. Richard has spent six years in the jungle and thinks he’s found a cure for cancer. When a pharmaceutical representative joins him, the two must battle loggers in a fateful attempt to share their discovery before it’s too late.
Last Chance Harvey – Travel doesn’t always inspire greatness, as one jingle-writer learns when he finds himself stranded in London and subsequently jobless. Feeling incompetent at his profession and in his family life, Harvey runs into a Heathrow Airport worker who breathes a little bit of hope back into his daily existence.
What movie tempts you to work abroad?
Ready to work and volunteer your way around the world? Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and RSS/email. Until the next adventure! ~ Kelli