b'lasted three years until COVID-19 crippledThe Corsos are among a large group ofthe globe. expatriates residing in the country for contract employment. As food enthusiasts who enjoy Activity declined in the west Texas market,trying new dishes in the kitchen, Sean and his and different opportunities presented them- wife are embracing the Middle Eastern cuisine GROWING CAREER selves as the company was restructuring,of Bahrain. While home to traditional Muslim Sean said. Taking the general manager jobculture, it also welcomes the food andwas a difficult decision, because we wantedcustoms of citizens from India, Pakistan, the AND FAMILY ON to grow our family and Id have to put myU.K., Philippines and many other countries. MBA degree program on hold, but we knew it would be an adventure. In the U.S., you can dress however you want INTERNATIONAL SOIL At a time when parts of the U.S. were beginningand not worry about fitting in, Sean said.In Bahrain, you feel like you should blend in to ease COVID-19 restrictions, the Corsosto experience the culture.arrived in Bahrain to learn communities were returning to lockdown. Protocols wereThe family continues to adjust to its new stricter than those in the U.S. home, and Sean is finding his stride in the H&P office. He supports three rigs operated Trying to find a place to live and shop atby an H&P crew of about 30 locals, 38stores was challenging. Many businessesexpatriates and 103 third country nationals. were restricted by Ministry to only allow fullyBahrains time zone is nine hours ahead of vaccinated persons to enter, he said. It tookthe U.S., and the traditional work week is four-and-a-half months before our belongingsSunday through Thursday.arrived, and we didnt have the comfort of a I ts always a tough decision to uproot aMy wife and I pride ourselves on being peoplesettled home. You have to be creative when managing the schedule. Communications will eat your young family, but Sean Corso took a leapwho dont fall victim to stereotypes, he said.Now that cases of the Delta variant arelunch if youre not working hard to maintain of faith when he, his wife, Beth, and theirWe want to be open to new experiencesdeclining, Sean and his family have startedall open channels, Sean said.three-year-old son packed up their livesand not be afraid of change. exploring their new city. Bahrains 100% in west Texas and moved to the Middle Eastcompliance of mask wearing and other Plugged into H&P international operations for during the pandemic. Seans transfer to the Middle East supportsprecautions has provided them with a sensemore than a year now, Sean has noticed the H&Ps strategy to bolster its internationalof security. companys increased focus on international In unprecedented times, Sean and his presence. He joined the company as angrowth. family made the brave decision to seize anintern in 2008 and began a full-time roleWhen you get married and have a family, opportunity for professional and personalat headquarters in Tulsa in 2012. Two yearsyour awareness of safety grows in magnitude,Our approach to pursuing new contracts growth across the world. He accepted thelater, he moved to Pennsylvania to serve ashe said. Between the temperature checks,has fielded new creative strategies, he said. position of H&Ps general manager in an administrator, drilling superintendentdoor checks andother societal standardsRather than doing what we have always Bahrain, and they arrived on-site in and safety leadership coach. His most recenthere, Ive never felt safer in my life. done, teams are encouraged to welcome February 2021. post as an operations manager in west Texasnew ideas to advance business objectives and deliver better outcomes.15EnterpriseWinter 2021 EnterpriseWinter 202116'