Can a really committed cross-cultural worker burn out?
Not only can committed cross-cultural workers burn out, but the more committed they are, the more likely they are to burn out. If people slip through the screening process with major motives of travel and excitement, they can succeed at that quite readily. However, the more “ideal” cross-cultural workers are, with hearts to win people to Christ, concern for others, and high expectations, the more likely they are to burn out. A related question is, “Can first-term cross-cultural workers burn out?” Again, the answer is that they are at greatest risk for burnout. The time of greatest risk for burnout in any people-helping occupation is the first five years on the job. That is exactly the time frame of the first term and language school in most agencies. This new worker is filled with idealism and high expectations. When reality begins to set in, the first-term cross-cultural worker begins to burn out. What are the effects of burnout? Many pay the price when cross-cultural workers burn out
