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Doctors on locum assignments in New Zealand may never have to deal with an irritable patient during their stay. According to HSBC's Expat Explorer Survey, the island nation is the easiest place to make friends with locals, become a part of the community and learn the native language. In 2012 Forbes released a list of the world's friendliest countries, where New Zealand landed in the top spot.
Of the participating ex-patriates in the survey, 75 percent reported that they were integrating easily into local neighborhoods.
"New Zealanders as a whole seem like happy people, and that translates into friendly, helpful and kind people," stated American expat Kim Brinster to Forbes. About 55 percent of those surveyed stated that they will either stay or return to the country sometime in the future.
What makes New Zealand such a warm and welcoming community? Possessing a smaller population has contributed to its anti-hostile environment, as well as its physical separation from the rest of the world and its problems.
The country also fosters a community that effectively balances work and lifestyle, with 79 percent of individuals claiming that the island encourages a healthy, even pairing of the two.
"It's extremely easy to move and settle down," shared one of the surveyed expats.