Many undergraduates have idealistic dreams about joining the jet set. Many dream of becoming glamorous expatriates, well-dressed multilingual internationals - dining late at night, referring to America as "The States," and in general exuding that Continental flavor. But here's a reality check - it's not as easy as it looks. And if you're female, here's another one: though women make up half the workforce in America, they only make up 12 percent of the expatriate population. According to a 1998 survey of HR professionals conducted by Workforce Magazine, women are almost always completely overlooked for foreign assignments. The reasons for this are varied - but more on that later.

Not all exotic locales and multilingual meetings

Eager expatriates-to-be must look beyond the allure of living in a foreign culture and think about what the job and the living situation will really entail. There is a lot of planning ahead involved. From what your position will entail, to your living situation abroad, to what work and life will be like when you finally return to the States. Before you decide to accept an assignment, make sure you fully grasp what will be expected of you. Find people who have worked abroad for your company before - preferably in the position you are considering, and ask for advice. Whether you're going to Paris or Thailand, remember that things may not be as "advanced" as you might expect. Resources and amenities can vary widely. If you're not willing to compromise, you're better off finding out before you start planning.

Many former expatriates suggest taking foreign assignments early on in their careers, when the young and ambitious normally have fewer encumbrances. When you bring a spouse and family into the equation, a foreign assignment becomes much more complicated. But plenty of people do - nearly 78 percent of employees moving abroad have a partner with a separate career. ~ Moving abroad with a partner

If a foreign assignment is a possibility for you or your partner, it's a good idea to discuss career options in advance. Maybe your partner would welcome a chance for a sabbatical or the chance to study; maybe they've always wanted to freelance or start a business from home. And there's always the possibility that their company has an office in the city you're considering. Any of these could be viable options - but they all require planning. Work closely with your HR department. In many cases, your employer will hire a relocation service experienced in moving employees overseas. This agency will take care of immigration papers, work permits and driver's licenses; car and home insurance; locate housing and negotiate leases; set up household utilities; find doctors and schools; and help you and your family assimilate into the new culture. Before you go, make sure you're up on the cost of living, employment laws and tax laws in your host country - especially if you are planning to survive on just one salary. In some countries taxes are double those in the U.S. (and you thought April 15 was bad!)

Finding support

Once you're there, make sure to find a good support network. No matter how outgoing you are, with the rigors of a new job and the culture shock, you're bound to need a little help meeting people. Contact established expatriate organizations (which often offer libraries, seminars and employment resources), and try to network your way into contacts in your host country. Chances are, former expats will be happy to point you in the right direction. Language and culture training are indispensable. Even if you don't need to know the local language for your job, you (and your partner) will need it for everyday life. Not knowing the local language and customs can be extremely isolating. The language barrier is even more of an issue when it comes to emergencies. There's no guarantee you'll find an English-speaking doctor everywhere you go. ~ Sometimes it's hard to be a woman abroad

Before they can even consider these issues, women have to worry about securing foreign assignments. According to Workforce Magazine, for every ten men offered foreign assignments, only one woman has the same opportunity. Often, male managers assume that female employees are not interested in overseas assignments, or think they won't be able to handle the pressures of representing the company abroad. Others worry that gender prejudice in other countries - the Middle East, for example - will hinder their performance. And then there's the dual career issue - 90s or not, many managers can't fathom the idea that a woman's husband would relocate to further his wife's career. Other corporations worry about their affirmative action programs - sending successful female employees abroad would essentially mean sending them out of view. Lower-level female employees would lose access to female mentors.

The reality is that women are just as effective in foreign assignments as their male counterparts. In fact, in a survey of 261 expatriates that appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Loyola University's Linda Stroh found that the traits considered crucial for overseas assignments - being a team player, knowing when to be passive, openness to other perspectives - are more often associated with women's management style than men's.

Dealing with prejudice

Women may have to put in some serious effort to make sure they're even being considered for foreign assignments. That means constantly making sure their managers are aware of their interest, and proving that they can handle the work. Women who have attained positions abroad say it required being much more vocal than men would have to be during meetings and performance reviews; and directly addressing unspoken concerns that managers may have about their abilities. Along that vein, you'll find that women are more likely to get posted overseas in female-heavy industries like advertising or PR, as opposed to male-dominated businesses like oil and gas. But when it comes down to it, if companies want to succeed, and keep attracting top talent, they're eventually going to get past the hangups and start tapping the female talent pool.

Plan ahead

Male or female, you increase your chances of getting posted abroad by obtaining assignments that require some overseas travel, and by working in teams that include employees in foreign outposts. Mentors (both male and female) in your company who have been sent abroad are useful too. And if you do get to move, find contacts in similar situations in your host country. Other advice: keep in contact with people back home. Make sure to return to your home base periodically and watch for positions you might want when your assignment ends. The key is to always think ahead - if your assignment is for two years, then seriously consider where you want to be in 4 years.