a foreign posting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foreign posting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a job assignment or position that is located in a country different from one's home country. Example: "After accepting a foreign posting in Japan, she had to learn the language and adapt to a new culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And if you work for a state-owned firm, you cannot refuse to go, he adds.Young Chinese white-collar workers may enjoy the adventure of a foreign posting.

The Economist

He had a "totally English" surname and had died overseas in the 1960s while his father was on a foreign posting with the Royal Marines.

The Guardian

It reads like the dream of a repressed and awkward man who might be a young soldier on a foreign posting, or Sayyid Qutb in Greeley, Colorado, or Mohamed Atta in Harburg, Germany.

The New Yorker

Soon, however, he was with the CIA in IT security, a job that a couple of years later led to a foreign posting under the cloak of a diplomatic assignment.

Independent

To give a flavour of the relationship, one broadcaster still well-known today had to be brought home from a foreign posting in the 1980s after BBC management became alarmed that his relationship with MI6 was becoming too overt.

The Guardian - Books

He argues that the professional diplomat, like the sensitive writer, has to be able to mix with both elites and masses; be firmly rooted in his own culture while open to the experience of others; have inner resources to fall back upon in coping with the isolation of a foreign posting (what Auden called "this nightmare of public solitude").

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

That's why companies must address this issue at the front end, before an employee takes a foreign post.

Harvard Business Review

Companies must address the spouse's situation at the front end, before an employee takes a foreign post.

Harvard Business Review

It is not normal for a security request from a foreign post to go all the way to the president and the vice president, which is perhaps what Mr. Biden meant by "we" in "we weren't told"—but at the very least the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs knew security was lacking.

The New York Times

I've come to the end of my three years here - the standard life expectancy for a BBC foreign posting.

BBC

"Our competitors are here too," said Hambrice, an Arkansan in his first foreign posting with Baxter.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "a foreign posting", consider specifying the country or region to provide more context and relevance for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a foreign posting" to simply describe a vacation or short trip. The phrase implies a work-related assignment with a longer duration and professional responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foreign posting" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as an object or a subject complement in a sentence. Ludwig confirms this consistent grammatical role across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science & Research

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foreign posting" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a work assignment in a country different from one's own. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Its primary contexts include news, media, and professional settings. When using this phrase, it's best to specify the country or region for better context. Alternatives include "overseas assignment" or "international placement". Remember to avoid confusing it with simple tourism, as it implies a longer-term work commitment. The phrase carries a neutral register, suitable for diverse professional and informative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an overseas assignment

Replaces 'foreign' with 'overseas' emphasizing the geographical aspect of being located in another country.

an international placement

Focuses on the global nature of the job, suggesting a structured opportunity within a company.

an expatriate assignment

Highlights the experience of living and working outside one's native country.

a relocation abroad

Emphasizes the aspect of moving to another country for work.

a temporary assignment abroad

Adds that assignment duration abroad is only temporary.

a job overseas

Simple substitution indicating the job is located in another country.

a position in another country

Highlights the location of the job being in a different nation.

an international rotation

Suggests a cyclical assignment as part of a career development program.

a global deployment

More formal and sometimes military-related, implying a strategic allocation of personnel.

an assignment in a foreign land

More literary, evoking a sense of adventure and cultural immersion.

FAQs

How is "a foreign posting" different from a regular job?

"A foreign posting" implies that the job is located in a country different from the employee's home country and often involves adapting to a new culture and environment.

What are some benefits of accepting "a foreign posting"?

Benefits can include career advancement, exposure to new cultures, increased salary, and opportunities for personal growth.

What should I consider before accepting "a foreign posting"?

Consider factors like the cost of living, language barriers, cultural differences, impact on family, and career prospects after the assignment. You can also consider some "relocation abroad" aspects.

What's an alternative to "a foreign posting"?

Alternatives include "overseas assignment", "international placement", or "expatriate assignment" depending on the specific context.