Steve’s international journey across four countries has shaped the way he leads, grows, and embraces new cultures, proving that the greatest opportunities often arise when stepping beyond familiar boundaries.
I started my career at a petrochemical company in Korea before joining Sika China in 2016. This was almost nine years ago. In 2019, I moved to Sika Vietnam, and since November 2024, I’ve been based in Singapore, where I now work as a National Sales Manager. Looking back, the journey across countries feels both long and incredibly fast at the same time.When I consider why I chose to move abroad, it really came down to alignment. I wanted to understand whether each opportunity matched my strengths, areas for growth, and the expectations of the role. I carefully weighed what I could contribute against what I could learn, and how each step could help me develop professionally and contribute more effectively to Sika’s goals. I also visualized where I would be in five years if I stayed versus if I took the chance, and which of those futures aligned better with my personal values. Of course, I had many open conversations with my family about the life we could build together in a new place. Every decision was made as a family.
The experience itself has been both rewarding and filled with manageable challenges. Living and working with people from diverse cultural and intellectual backgrounds has expanded my perspective on others and the world, and has significantly strengthened my ability to lead and collaborate across functions and markets. One moment that truly stayed with me was during a visit to my home country: talking with old friends, I suddenly realized how much I had grown in just a short time. It reassured me that I had chosen the right path.Of course, the beginning is always the hardest: finding a home, enrolling our child in school, and establishing daily routines. Fortunately, Sika provided excellent support, which made each transition smoother and allowed me to focus quickly on building relationships with local teams and understanding the market. Over time, we’ve developed our own way of adapting quickly, which has made every subsequent move feel more manageable.As a family, we are very happy with our life here.
Singapore is safe, clean, and vibrant, with people of many backgrounds living together with genuine mutual respect. True to its nickname, “The Garden City,” it blends nature and modern development in a way few places do. One of our most meaningful recent moments was celebrating Women’s Day with a concert at the Botanic Gardens; enjoying music and nature together reminded us not to take peace and happiness for granted.What I miss most from home are my family and friends. But I am happy that technology helps bridge the distance through video calls and instant messaging. Each country we’ve worked and lived in has its own charm. Here in Singapore, I’ve especially come to appreciate the lifestyle, and hobbies like pickleball and tennis with my family have helped us embrace and truly enjoy our life here.For anyone hesitating about taking a similar step, I would say: if you think you might regret not doing it, take the chance! Life is too short to stay still.
In the end, my mobility journey can be summed up in three words: Change. Challenge. Growth.